Develops kilowatt-scale micro-fission reactors using HALEU TRISO fuel and sodium heat pipes to provide autonomous, passively safe, and highly reliable power for mission-critical facilities and space applications. These reactors operate continuously for over three years without a sustaining supply chain, minimizing maintenance and enabling deployment in remote or resource-limited environments.
Funding
$89M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
+3Founders
Product
Problem
Mission-critical facilities and space-based applications require continuous, reliable power, but traditional power sources often depend on extensive supply chains and frequent maintenance, making them unsuitable for remote or resource-constrained environments. Existing solutions may lack the necessary autonomy and passive safety features for long-duration operation without constant human intervention.
Solution
Antares provides kilowatt-scale micro-fission reactors designed to deliver autonomous, passively safe, and highly reliable power for both terrestrial and space-based applications. These reactors utilize HALEU TRISO fuel and sodium heat pipes to ensure efficient heat transfer and inherent safety. The Antares R1 reactor is engineered for continuous operation exceeding three years without requiring a sustaining supply chain, minimizing maintenance needs and enabling deployment in challenging environments. The system incorporates automated controls, power management, and distribution, ensuring resilient energy production with minimal human oversight.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes the defense sector, space agencies, and operators of mission-critical facilities requiring resilient and autonomous power solutions.
Features
- Kilowatt-scale micro-fission reactor utilizing HALEU TRISO fuel for enhanced safety and performance
- Sodium heat pipes for passive and redundant heat removal, maximizing system reliability
- Automated control drums and boron carbide shutdown rod, derived from space reactor control systems, for precise reactivity control
- Combination of HALEU TRISO and graphite moderator and reflector for high technology readiness and safety
- Built-in tungsten and boron carbide shielding to minimize the exclusion zone and facilitate decommissioning
- Low-pressure nitrogen closed Brayton cycle to maximize reliability and minimize maintenance
- Designed for 3+ year autonomous operation without a sustaining supply chain