A “nuclear engine” has many advantages, notably providing a vehicle with an almost unlimited supply of onboard power, with no need for regular refuelling. That’s particularly attractive for large ships and submarines, where fuel stops at sea are few and far between. It’s even better for space craft, which cannot refuel at all.

After decades defined by safety dominance, the NRC may be recalibrating toward a renewed balance between oversight and expansion. The history of nuclear energy in the United States illustrates the difficulties of balancing two goals: expanding nuclear energy and regulating it.

A next-generation nuclear micro-reactor has completed its journey from Southern California to northern Utah, marking the first physical step in a federal push to prove that small, transportable reactors can deliver reliable power far from traditional grid infrastructure.