Washington State University is marking a major milestone as its nuclear research reactor reaches sixty-five years of operation, celebrating a facility that has played a central role in scientific research and nuclear education in the United States.

The reactor at the university’s Nuclear Science Center in Pullman first achieved criticality on March seven, nineteen sixty-one, becoming one of the earliest university-based research reactors in the country.

Since then, the facility has supported decades of experimentation, training and technological development across multiple scientific disciplines.

Originally constructed as a materials test reactor, the facility was later upgraded to a one-megawatt TRIGA reactor, a design widely used in teaching and research environments because of its strong safety characteristics and flexible operating capabilities.

The reactor allows researchers and students to conduct experiments involving neutron activation analysis, materials testing and isotope production.

University leaders say the reactor has helped train generations of nuclear engineers, scientists and reactor operators.

Its location in eastern Washington also made it an important educational partner for nearby national laboratories and nuclear facilities, providing practical training for students entering the nuclear workforce.

The Nuclear Science Center remains the only site in Washington state equipped with a functioning nuclear research reactor.

Over the decades, it has supported projects ranging from environmental monitoring and medical isotope studies to work related to national security and nuclear non-proliferation.

Officials say the anniversary comes at a time when interest in nuclear energy and nuclear science is growing again worldwide.

Governments and industry are increasingly exploring advanced reactors and new nuclear technologies as part of efforts to produce reliable low-carbon energy.

Washington State University is using the milestone to highlight ongoing investments in its nuclear research programs.

The university is expanding the Nuclear Science Center with new laboratory facilities designed to support emerging areas of research and to strengthen educational opportunities for students pursuing nuclear science careers.

Researchers at the center say the reactor remains a powerful tool for hands-on learning and experimentation, providing capabilities that are difficult to replicate through simulation alone.

As the facility enters its seventh decade of operation, university officials say it will continue to play an important role in preparing the next generation of nuclear scientists and engineers while supporting research that addresses national and global challenges.