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U.S. Plans to Launch Nuclear Fission-Powered Spacecraft to Fly by Mars by End of 2028

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is advancing the Space Reactor-1 "Freedom" (SR-1 Freedom) mission, with the goal of launching a nuclear fission-powered spacecraft by the end of 2028 to validate deep-space nuclear electric propulsion technology. According to existing mission documentation, the mission plans to fly by Mars in 2029 and deploy the SkyFall payload. The SR-1 Freedom is neither a fusion spacecraft nor a crewed Mars vehicle. Its core experiment is to operate a small uranium fission reactor, an energy conversion system, and Hall-effect thrusters in coordination beyond Earth orbit, accumulating engineering data for future higher-power deep-space missions...

2026-08-24

Magnitude 3.1 Earthquake in South Korea Does Not Affect Safety of Nuclear Facilities

On August 23, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) of South Korea reported that at 6:43 a.m. that day, a magnitude 3.1 earthquake occurred approximately 21 kilometers northwest of Haenam County, South Jeolla Province, South Korea. It was confirmed that all nuclear reactors and related nuclear facilities in South Korea were operating stably, with no abnormalities detected. The nuclear facility closest to the epicenter was the Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant, approximately 83.2 kilometers away. The peak ground acceleration recorded at this plant during the earthquake was 0.0032g, far below its seismic design basis of 0.2g, and it is expected that the safety of the facility will not be affected. The Hanbit Regional Office of the NSSC has conducted emergency safety inspections at the Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant site...

2026-08-24

Japan's GX Promotion Organization Invests in Nuclear Fusion Startups

Japan's Green Transformation Promotion Organization (GX Promotion Organization) has invested in two startups, focusing on nuclear fusion-related technology and plastic recycling businesses respectively. The public funds invested are expected to be approximately 3 billion yen; when private sector funds are included, the total related investment is expected to reach approximately 20 billion yen. The two companies are Kyoto Fusioneering and JEPLAN. Among them, Kyoto Fusioneering is primarily engaged in the development of nuclear fusion engineering technology, while JEPLAN is involved in circular economy businesses such as plastic recycling. Details of the investment are expected to be officially announced by the relevant parties. This investment is seen as part of Japan's push to industrialize its green transformation.

2026-08-24

Collective Radiation Dose of Workers at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Ranks Highest Nationwide

Japanese nuclear power plant operators are required to submit radiation management reports to the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) annually, detailing the exposure status of plant workers. According to the relevant 2025 reports, the collective radiation dose of workers at Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO)'s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station remains significantly higher than at other Japanese nuclear plants, indicating that the radiological impact from post-accident on-site decommissioning and management work is still ongoing. By collective dose per plant, Fukushima Daiichi recorded 20.97 person-sieverts, the highest in Japan. This figure is nine times the 2.22 person-sieverts reported at Kansai Electric Power's Takahama Nuclear Power Station...

2026-08-24

No abnormalities detected at multiple nuclear power plants after earthquake in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan

At around 2 a.m. on August 23, an earthquake struck the southern part of Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, with a maximum seismic intensity of 5-lower observed in parts of Ibaraki Prefecture, Tokyo Metropolis, Saitama Prefecture, and Chiba Prefecture. The Japanese government subsequently established a liaison office at the Crisis Management Center of the Prime Minister's Official Residence. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that relevant departments have been instructed to verify the damage situation and promptly release accurate information to the public. The earthquake posed no risk of tsunami. Japan Atomic Power Company (JAPC) stated that a seismic intensity of 3 was observed in the area where the Tokai Daini Nuclear Power Plant is located in Tokai Village, Ibaraki Prefecture. The unit is currently shut down, and as of now...

2026-08-24

Calm Prevails Around Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant

Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom, stated on August 22 that the situation in the area surrounding Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant remains calm. Speaking to reporters in Moscow, Likhachev said the Bushehr plant has remained largely quiet. He noted that over the past few months, no concerning incidents have occurred at the plant itself, in its vicinity, or in related towns. Located in southern Iran, the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant is a key nuclear facility for the country. According to Likhachev, no abnormal signals have been detected in the operation and security situation of the plant and its surrounding areas.

2026-08-24

Russia Advances Development of Nuclear-Powered Underwater Natural Gas Carriers

Mikhail Kovalchuk, Director of the National Research Center Kurchatov Institute and Chairman of the Scientific Expert Council of the Russian Federation Maritime Board, recently stated that nuclear-powered underwater natural gas carriers could help Russia secure energy exports via the Northern Sea Route. Speaking at a joint meeting of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Transport, Kovalchuk reported on the project's progress, noting that the first phase of development for this type of gas carrier has been completed, with the second phase currently underway. Gazprom has allocated dedicated funding for the project. Kovalchuk indicated that the development of such vessels holds significant...

2026-08-24

Half of Turbines at Hungary's Paks Nuclear Power Plant Back in Operation

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar stated that the Paks Nuclear Power Plant has restored approximately half of its generating capacity, with full restoration expected to be completed earlier than originally planned. Four of the plant's eight turbines are currently in operation, and restoration efforts are ongoing. Magyar said on social media that operating conditions at the plant have improved as construction work near the Paks site progresses and the Danube River water level recovers. Based on the current pace, the Paks plant is expected to regain a generating capacity of 2,000 megawatts by Wednesday, which could meet about 35% of Hungary's electricity demand. Earlier, Unit 3 of the Paks plant was announced to resume power generation ahead of schedule on Saturday evening. Magyar noted that the unit's resumption of power generation is linked to on-site engineering measures and changes in the Danube water level.

2026-08-24

Italy's Eni Plans to Build Commercial Nuclear Fusion Power Plant in Europe by Early 2040s

Italian energy company Eni plans to build a commercial nuclear fusion power plant in Europe by the early 2040s or sooner. Francesca Ferrazza, head of Eni's magnetic confinement fusion project, stated that nuclear fusion technology has seen significant progress in recent years, and competition in the field is accelerating. Ferrazza said that nuclear fusion, which was previously confined mainly to the research stage, has now begun to meet the conditions for industrial application. She noted that Eni's goal is to promote the deployment of a commercial nuclear fusion power plant in Europe by the early 2040s, or even earlier. Eni has also shown interest in the extraction, purification, and recycling of spent fusion fuel back into reactors. Recently, Eni has...

2026-08-24

Atom High-Tech Adds New Radiopharmaceutical Production Base in Changchun

The Jilin Provincial Medical Products Administration issued a public notice on August 21 stating that, in accordance with the Drug Administration Law of the People's Republic of China, the Regulations on the Administration of Radiopharmaceuticals, the Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Drug Production, and other relevant provisions, following on-site inspection and review approval, it intends to issue the Radiopharmaceutical Production License to Changchun Atom High-Tech Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. The public notice period is 5 working days, subject to public supervision. The notice information shows that the registered address of Changchun Atom High-Tech Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is located at No. 770 Shengye Road, Beihu Science and Technology Development Zone, Changchun City, Jilin Province, and the proposed production address for the license is consistent with the registered address. The proposed production scope for this license is small-volume injections for in vivo radiopharmaceuticals, involving products such as Sodium Pertechnetate [99mTc] Injection, Technetium [99mTc] Methylenediphosphonate Injection, Technetium [99mTc] Methoxyisonitrile Injection, Technetium [99mTc] Pentetate Injection, Technetium [99mTc] Ethyl Cysteinate Dimer Injection, and Technetium [99mTc] Etifenin Injection.

2026-08-24

Xingtu Helium Energy's First Satellite "Xingtu-1" Passes Feasibility Review

On August 23, 2026, Beijing Xingtu Helium Energy Space Technology Co., Ltd. organized a feasibility review meeting for the Xingtu-1 lunar probe. Experts from aerospace research institutes, renowned universities, and leading commercial space companies formed a review expert panel to evaluate the project plan. At the meeting, the Xingtu Helium Energy model development team presented the "Xingtu-1 Lunar Probe Feasibility Plan Report," covering the probe's technical scheme, project progress, and subsequent implementation arrangements. The review expert panel affirmed the technical scheme, project progress, and commercial value of Xingtu-1, while offering optimization suggestions for key challenges in engineering implementation. Xingtu Helium Energy...

2026-08-24

Taishan Nuclear Power Achieves Full-Process Digitalization for Two Major Environmental Monitoring Inspections

Recently, the central station inspections of the Plant Environment and Meteorological Monitoring System (KRS) and the Hydrological and Water Quality Monitoring System (YSI) buoy inspections at Taishan Nuclear Power Plant have officially entered full-process digital operation, with all related inspection tasks integrated into the GFIS (Taishan Inspection Data Monitoring System) for online workflow, marking the end of the paper-based inspection sheet era. In the central station equipment room of the environmental laboratory, inspectors can complete online data entry and upload via mobile office devices after verifying data accuracy. △Inspection interface Previously, these two inspection tasks relied on paper-based recording, with inspection data manually transcribed on site and handed over offline for review, making real-time verification and sharing of information impossible. The mountains of paper forms not only made data retrieval time-consuming and laborious but also hindered equipment operation and maintenance quality assessments. Driven by the company's digital transformation initiative, these two inspection tasks have now embarked on the path of digitalization.

2026-08-24

SPIC Thorium-Based Energy Technology Company Visits College of Nuclear Science and Technology at Harbin Engineering University for Cooperation Exchange

On August 20, Tang Chuntao, interim head of the Overall Technology Department and R&D Design Department of SPIC Thorium-Based Energy Technology Co., Ltd., led a delegation to the College of Nuclear Science and Technology at Harbin Engineering University for an exchange meeting. The two sides discussed topics including technical breakthroughs, research collaboration, and talent cultivation related to the National Major Science and Technology Project on thorium molten salt reactors. Dean Tan Sichao and Vice Dean Xia Genglei attended the meeting. Tan Sichao welcomed Tang Chuntao and his delegation. He noted that the College of Nuclear Science and Technology, leveraging the university's distinctive advantages in the "Three Seas and One Nuclear" strategy, has established a multidisciplinary layout in nuclear engineering, nuclear technology, and nuclear chemical engineering with deep academic accumulation. As the sole entity of SPIC Group for the thorium fuel cycle, Thorium-Based Energy Company undertakes the R&D and construction of advanced Generation IV nuclear energy systems. The two sides have complementary strengths and broad prospects for cooperation. He expressed hope that this exchange would serve as an opportunity to deepen joint research, platform co-construction, and talent co-cultivation, jointly serving the nation's high-quality nuclear energy development.

2026-08-24

Hengyang New Radiopharmaceutical Isotope and Drug Industrialization Project Officially Launched

On August 22, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Hengyang New Radiopharmaceutical Isotope and Drug Industrialization Project was held in Hengyang, Hunan Province. Officials from Hengyang City and Zhuhui District, representatives from relevant colleges of the University of South China, investment institutions, and relevant personnel from New Radiopharmaceutical Medical attended the event. Cai Jiming, Chairman and President of New Radiopharmaceutical Medical, stated at the ceremony that the project's landing in Hengyang represents an important strategic layout for the company's nuclear medicine business. From contract signing to construction commencement, the project has received support from local governments, partners, and relevant organizations. The company will leverage this project as an opportunity to continue advancing the transformation of innovative achievements in the fields of medical isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals. Wang Jing, Deputy Mayor of Hengyang City, stated that Hengyang...

2026-08-22

China Nuclear Power Industrial Internet Platform Optimization Project Passes Technical Acceptance

On August 18, China Nuclear Power organized the technical acceptance of the centralized R&D project "Optimization, Expansion, and Application Deepening Research of the Nuclear Power Industrial Internet Platform" in Wuhan. The expert panel reviewed the project team's report on the completion of project objectives, research content, technical indicators, and expected outcomes, examined the documentation, and after inquiry and discussion, unanimously agreed that the project has comprehensive research content, met technical indicators, achieved outstanding innovation results, demonstrated good pilot application effects, and maintained complete and standardized documentation, approving the technical acceptance. The Nuclear Power Industrial Internet Platform (DHP) serves as the solid group-level foundation for China Nuclear Power's digital development, undertaking the coordination of data element circulation across multiple bases and reactor types,...

2026-08-22