Tom Mancinelli

Where the grid might not be as reliable and where it's difficult to bring the liquid fuel supply.

Where the grid might not be as reliable and where it's difficult to bring the liquid fuel supply and the complexities of liquid fuel logistics together,

Tom Mancinelli with the company Antares says its microreactor could power lunar space missions and remote military bases.

A test model of Antares' microreactor went critical at the Idaho National Lab.

That means the company safely controlled a nuclear fission reaction, but didn't produce any electricity.

This is the first reactor in a U.S.

Energy Department program to meet a July 4th deadline.

The Fed's fast-tracked reactor licenses to usher in a, quote, nuclear renaissance.

Some think some experts worry could result in mistakes.

For NPR News, I'm Hannah Merzbach in Jackson, Wyoming.