US test reactor cleared for operations

Oklo's Groves Isotope Test Reactor in Texas has received clearance from the US Department of Energy for unrestricted operations, enabling the facility to begin its research, testing, and training phase following its first criticality in August 2026. The reactor, part of the DOE's Nuclear Reactor Pilot Program, will serve as a testing and training platform for Oklo's advanced reactor designs, including its Aurora powerhouse, while generating data to support future isotope production facilities and potentially improve performance in existing light water reactors.