Oklo Inc. and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) announced that they have completed the first public fast‑spectrum plutonium criticality experiment at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center (NCERC) in Nevada. The experiment was conducted under a Strategic Partnership Project and used surplus plutonium that the U.S. government holds from the Cold War era.
The multi‑day experiment, carried out on LANL’s Flattop critical assembly in early December, demonstrated the reactor’s inherent safety features. When power and temperature rose, the system automatically shut down due to negative reactivity feedback, confirming a key safety characteristic of fast‑reactor designs.
For Oklo, the experiment validates the Pluto reactor, a fast‑reactor test project selected under the Department of Energy’s Reactor Pilot Program. The benchmark data generated will support Oklo’s goal of deploying fast‑reactor powerhouses that recycle nuclear waste and run on multiple fuel types, and it strengthens the company’s case for DOE and Nuclear Regulatory Commission approvals.
The milestone also underpins Oklo’s commercial strategy. By proving that surplus plutonium can serve as bridge fuel, the company can move closer to building the Aurora power plant and the Aurora Fuel Fabrication Facility. CEO Jacob DeWitte said, “The success of this experiment brings us closer to a commercial‑scale domestic fuel recycling facility, a critical step for our business model and for reducing waste volume by 90% and fuel costs by up to 80%.”
Oklo’s Q3 2025 results showed an operating loss of $36.3 million, but the company ended the quarter with $1.2 billion in cash and marketable securities. While the loss reflects ongoing capital investment, the company’s cash position and the regulatory progress from this experiment provide a foundation for future financing and execution.
The experiment marks a significant technical milestone that positions Oklo ahead of light‑water small modular reactors, which cannot recycle fuel. It also signals to investors that the company is advancing toward a viable commercial pathway, even as it continues to navigate the capital‑intensive nature of nuclear development.
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