India’s First Fast Breeder Nuclear Reactor Reaches Criticality

The first Indian-built fast breeder nuclear reactor has achieved criticality, the stage at which the atomic reaction becomes self-sustaining, according to a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office.

The prototype, located in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, is designed to produce more fuel than it uses, and has been under development since the early 2000s. A launch date hasn’t been set, but once online it will be able to generate 500 megawatts of electrical power.