The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has formally accepted for review a license application from Radiant for its R-50 Production Facility in Tennessee. 

The NRC plans to conduct the review of the 10 CFR Part 70 application on an expedited eight-month schedule, which is approximately 55% faster than the standard timeframe for this type of regulatory process. 

This acceptance indicates that Radiant’s application is complete enough for the agency to begin a detailed technical evaluation of the facility’s design, safety protocols, and operational programs.

The R-50 facility is intended for the manufacturing of Kaleidos microreactors. The 10 CFR Part 70 license is a regulatory requirement governing the possession and use of special nuclear material. 

Obtaining this license is necessary for Radiant to use nuclear fuel within its manufacturing and testing processes at the Oak Ridge site. 

Improving efficiency while ensuring safety

“NRC Part 70 is one of the biggest regulatory hurdles for a nuclear energy company to establish a production facility,” said the company in a press release. “It enables the use of fuel in the microreactor manufacturing process, which is a key step toward establishing the R-50 Production Facility as a cornerstone of advanced nuclear reactor development.”

NRC Chairman Ho K. Nieh stated that the accelerated review reflects an agency-wide effort to improve efficiency for advanced reactor technologies while upholding safety standards.

Dr. Rita Baranwal, Chief Nuclear Officer at Radiant, noted that the submission follows five years of development and the production of hundreds of pages of technical data and testing results. 

The company stated that the review process, combined with the NRC’s May 1, 2026, Notice of Public Review for 10 CFR Part 57, shows the agency is responding to federal executive orders regarding the nuclear industry. 

These developments follow a $300 million funding round closed in late 2025, which provided the capital necessary to build the R-50 factory and scale commercialization.

Conducting a full-power test

Earlier in 2026, the US Department of Energy (DOE) approved Radiant’s Authorization Request for Kaleidos (DARK). This safety documentation provides the authorization required for the company to conduct a full-power test of its reactor design. 

The R-50 facility in Oak Ridge is designed to produce 50 Kaleidos units annually to support a scheduled commercial release in 2028.

The Kaleidos is a 1-megawatt electric microreactor that generates 1.9 megawatts of thermal power for facility heating or water desalination. The system is designed for use in diverse environments and does not require on-site water for cooling. 

It instead uses fans and an air jacket to cool the core via natural convection. The reactor utilizes TRISO fuel, which is designed for resilience. Once the R-50 facility is licensed and operational, it will be used for the assembly, production, and testing of these units. 

“Radiant will continue to collaborate closely with the NRC throughout the review process and anticipates ongoing engagement as the agency conducts its safety, environmental, and technical evaluations,” concluded the press release.