BERKELEY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Deep Fission, Inc., a pioneering advanced nuclear energy company placing 15 MWe small modular pressurized water reactors in boreholes one mile underground, today announced the promotion of Mike Brasel to Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Brasel, who previously served as Vice President of Nuclear Programs, has been instrumental in building Deep Fission’s engineering organization and advancing the company’s technology toward demonstration and eventual commercialization. A seasoned leader with nearly three decades of experience across the nuclear, fossil, and renewable energy sectors, he brings deep expertise in strategic planning, project management, regulatory compliance, and supply chain development.
Before joining Deep Fission, Brasel held key leadership roles at NuScale Power, where he managed multi-billion-dollar nuclear projects, led supply chain development for first-of-a-kind technologies, and directed regulatory affairs. Most recently, he served as Senior Project Director for the Carbon Free Power Project, overseeing reactor pressure vessel manufacturing, licensing applications, and large-scale capital project planning. His earlier career includes leadership roles at Dairyland Power Cooperative, where he served as Plant Manager of the La Crosse Boiling Water Reactor, directing decommissioning efforts and nuclear regulatory compliance.
“Everyone at Deep Fission is thrilled to see Mike step into the role of Chief Operating Officer,” said Liz Muller, Co-Founder and CEO of Deep Fission. “Mike has been a key part of Deep Fission’s success from early on, bringing both technical depth and operational leadership that will be essential as we look to build our first reactor in 2026 as part of the Department of Energy’s Reactor Pilot Program.”
“I’m honored to take on this new role and continue working with such a talented team,” said Mike Brasel, COO of Deep Fission. “I’ve spent my career helping to advance the nuclear industry, and Deep Fission is doing exactly that by bringing a fresh, practical approach that truly tackles the cost and time challenges of deployment.”
Brasel’s promotion follows a series of major milestones for Deep Fission, including its participation in President Trump’s new Reactor Pilot Program, the company’s recent go-public transaction, the announcement of initial planned sites in Texas, Utah, and Kansas, and a customer pipeline of 12.5 GW.
Deep Fission’s proprietary system integrates mature, proven technologies: pressurized water nuclear reactors (the most common design worldwide), drilling methods from oil and gas, and heat transfer techniques from geothermal energy. By building on existing approaches, the company can rely on standard, off-the-shelf components and readily available low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel.
By siting reactors one mile underground, Deep Fission eliminates the costly, time-intensive surface construction typical of traditional plants. This model aims to reduce project expenses by up to 80% and enable a deployment timeline of six months from groundbreaking to full operation.
About Deep Fission
Deep Fission is revolutionizing the energy landscape with innovative technology that places a small modular pressurized water reactor in a borehole one mile underground. Founded and led by a team of seasoned scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs, the Company is committed to delivering safe, reliable, and affordable low-carbon power at scale. Deep Fission was recently selected for the Department of Energy’s new Reactor Pilot Program and is targeting criticality by July 2026. Deep Fission was founded in 2023 by father-daughter team Elizabeth and Richard Muller. Learn more at deepfission.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws, including, among other things, statements regarding Deep Fission’s development plans, anticipated project timelines, cost objectives, partnerships, and other future matters. These statements are based on current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Important factors are described under “Risk Factors” and “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in Deep Fission’s registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (as amended from time to time), and in other filings Deep Fission makes with the SEC. Deep Fission makes no guarantee of future results, performance, or achievements and undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
Contacts
For media inquiries, please contact:
Chloe Frader, VP of Strategic Affairs
[email protected]
For investor inquiries, please contact:
Bob Prag
[email protected]
(858) 794-9500
