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OrangevilleEmery CountyUtah San Rafael Energy Lab

Valar Atomics reaches criticality at Ward 250 reactor in Orangeville

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A single bright orange spark glowing against dark, textured stone in a dim environment, symbolizing the start of a self-sustaining reaction.
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Utah News spotted this story published June 18, 2026 at etvnews.com. Full coverage may follow as more sources report.

ORANGEVILLE, Utah — Valar Atomics’ Ward 250 test reactor reached criticality Thursday in Emery County, marking a major step for the company’s advanced nuclear project at the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab. The company said the milestone means the reactor achieved a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction for the first time.

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CityOrangeville, Emery County, Utah San Rafael Energy Lab