Under ConstructionAdvanced Non-LWR
Molten Salt Research Reactor (MSRR)
📍 TXDeveloper: Natura ResourcesVendor / Tech: Natura Resources
Capacity
1 MW
Expected Operation
2026
Reactor Type
Molten Salt Reactor
Regulatory Status
Under construction; NRC construction permit issued 2024-09, then project moved into DOE Reactor Pilot Program (DOE authorization) via OTA signed 2025-12-19; DOE approved Nuclear Safety Design Agreement 2026-07-21; FLiBE coolant salt delivered from ORNL 2026-09-18.
Details
Primary Use
Research / demonstration
Construction Start
2026
Research detail · verified 2026-10-10
Stage
Under construction
Commercial power
No (test, research, military or demonstration)
NRC docket
50-610 (NRC construction permit, 2024)
Stated target operation
ACU NEXT Lab director Rusty Towell (Aug 2025): 'under construction in a year and operational within five years' (ANS 2025-12-19)
Key dates
2024-09 NRC construction permit issued; 2025-12-19 DOE OTA under Reactor Pilot Program; 2026-07-21 DOE NSDA approved; 2026-09-18 FLiBE salt delivered
Workforce
University research reactor at ACU's NEXT Lab (student/faculty research program).
Not verified / conflicts
Both the advanced-reactor and pilot-program passes dropped this as belonging to the other; added in merge. Docket 50-610 from the advanced-reactor pass, not reopened. NSDA date from NEI Magazine search summary. Workforce note is descriptive, not an announced partnership.
Sources
- https://www.ans.org/news/2025-12-19/article-7631/natura-executes-an-ota-with-the-doe/
- https://www.neimagazine.com/news/natura-receives-msr-safety-approval/
- https://www.sovereignmagazine.com/article/natura-msr-1-flibe-molten-salt-coolant-doe
- https://www.powermag.com/acu-secures-nrc-permit-to-build-research-molten-salt-nuclear-reactor
About
1 MW thermal capacity
Key Organizations
Developer
Natura Resources
State Policy Context
View nuclear-related legislation and energy stats for Texas