World Nuclear News (Sept 4, 2026) reports that on August 24, 2026 DOE's National Reactor Innovation Center named 12 Launch Pad participants, including four reactor developers already supported under the initiative and the Reactor Pilot Program: Antares Nuclear, Deployable Energy, Oklo and Valar Atomics. It describes Ward 250 as a 100-kWt helium-cooled TRISO HTGR that reached zero-power criticality in June and was proceeding with power ascension. NRIC's director says the Launch Pad gives a prioritized path to DOE authorization plus expert and facility support; the article does not describe new funding for Valar. NRIC's own Valar page answered with a bot check and was not read.

• US Launch Pad supports reactor and fuel projects (World Nuclear News, 2026-09-04) news “Antares Nuclear, Deployable Energy, Oklo, and Valar Atomics”