Canadian Strategic Missions Corporation unveils three nuclear reactor platforms

Canadian Strategic Missions Corporation (CSMC) has unveiled three new nuclear reactor platforms: POLAR-1, JAY-1, and ORCA-1. This restructuring replaces the company’s previous Low Enriched Uranium Nuclear Reactor concept to focus on specialized applications in defense, space, and research.

POLAR-1 is a transportable, megawatt-scale microreactor designed to be flown via C-17 military transport aircraft. It aims to provide power for Arctic military bases, remote communities, and industries currently dependent on diesel. CSMC targets first criticality for POLAR-1 by 2028, with fleet-scale deployment beginning in 2030.

JAY-1 is a compact reactor designed for lunar infrastructure, intended to provide power during the Moon’s two-week night cycles. This follows a $500,000 contract from the Canadian Space Agency for lunar power research. ORCA-1 will serve as a research reactor to facilitate technology testing and workforce training.

The reorganization follows significant government support, with CSMC receiving over $17 million in federal and provincial funding since 2022. This includes $4.5 million for Arctic microreactor design and $5 million from Alberta for an unfuelled prototype test unit.