Deep Fission Elevates Mike Brasel to Chief Operating Officer as Company Advances Underground Small Modular Reactor Deployment
Deep Fission, Inc., an innovative nuclear energy company developing compact 15 MWe small modular pressurized water reactors (SMRs) designed to operate one mile underground, today announced the promotion of Mike Brasel to Chief Operating Officer (COO). The appointment marks a pivotal step in Deep Fission’s mission to redefine nuclear energy deployment with safer, faster, and more cost-effective systems.
Brasel’s promotion follows his impactful tenure as Vice President of Nuclear Programs, during which he played a central role in shaping Deep Fission’s engineering organization, accelerating the company’s reactor technology, and guiding it toward demonstration and commercialization. His leadership has been instrumental in advancing the company’s efforts to deploy its first operational reactor under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Reactor Pilot Program, targeted for 2026.
With nearly three decades of experience across nuclear, fossil, and renewable energy, Brasel brings a rare blend of technical depth, operational discipline, and strategic foresight. His extensive background spans strategic planning, project execution, regulatory compliance, licensing, and supply chain development—skills that will be critical as Deep Fission transitions from R&D to scaled operations.
A Proven Leader in Nuclear Innovation
Before joining Deep Fission, Brasel held several high-impact leadership positions at NuScale Power, one of the world’s leading small modular reactor developers. At NuScale, he managed multi-billion-dollar nuclear infrastructure projects and led supply chain development for first-of-a-kind nuclear technologies. His leadership extended to overseeing critical regulatory and technical milestones for early-stage deployment.
In his most recent position as Senior Project Director for the Carbon Free Power Project, Brasel oversaw the manufacturing of reactor pressure vessels, licensing submissions to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and planning for large-scale capital projects. These experiences honed his ability to balance innovation with compliance and execution—qualities that align closely with Deep Fission’s mission to deploy reliable, next-generation nuclear systems efficiently and safely.
Earlier in his career, Brasel served as Plant Manager of the La Crosse Boiling Water Reactor for Dairyland Power Cooperative, where he managed decommissioning operations, safety protocols, and federal nuclear regulatory compliance. This background in both active operation and end-of-life management gives him a full-spectrum understanding of the nuclear asset lifecycle, a perspective that will inform Deep Fission’s long-term operational and sustainability strategies.
Leadership Endorsement and Strategic Vision
“Everyone at Deep Fission is thrilled to see Mike step into the role of Chief Operating Officer,” said Liz Muller, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Deep Fission. “Mike has been a key part of our growth from the very beginning. His deep technical knowledge and steady operational leadership are exactly what we need as we move toward building our first reactor through the Department of Energy’s Reactor Pilot Program. His ability to bridge engineering innovation with real-world execution will be invaluable as we scale.”
In his new role, Brasel will oversee engineering operations, project delivery, supply chain management, and licensing strategy. He will also be responsible for developing partnerships with utilities, industrial clients, and regulators to accelerate site development and reactor deployment.
“I’m honored to take on this new role and continue working with such a talented and dedicated team,” said Mike Brasel, COO of Deep Fission. “Throughout my career, I’ve focused on bringing nuclear innovation from concept to reality. Deep Fission is redefining what’s possible by applying practical engineering, modularity, and proven technology to overcome the industry’s cost and timeline barriers. We’re building reactors that are both transformative and deployable at scale.”
Advancing a New Era in Underground Nuclear Technology
Brasel’s appointment comes during a period of rapid momentum for Deep Fission. The company recently achieved several key milestones, including:
- Participation in President Trump’s new Reactor Pilot Program, aimed at accelerating advanced nuclear deployment;
- Completion of a go-public transaction, expanding access to capital markets;
- Identification of initial planned deployment sites in Texas, Utah, and Kansas; and
- Development of a customer pipeline exceeding 12.5 GW in prospective reactor installations.
These advancements position Deep Fission as one of the most dynamic companies in the emerging SMR market, focusing on modularity, affordability, and rapid deployment.
A Scalable, Subsurface Approach to Clean Energy
At the heart of Deep Fission’s technology is its integrated underground reactor system, which combines pressurized water reactor (PWR) technology—the world’s most widely used and well-understood nuclear design—with advanced drilling techniques from the oil and gas industry and heat transfer systems inspired by geothermal engineering. This cross-sector innovation enables Deep Fission to utilize standardized components, commercially available low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel, and established manufacturing processes.
By constructing its reactors one mile beneath the surface, Deep Fission removes many of the traditional obstacles that have historically slowed or inflated the cost of nuclear projects. Underground siting significantly reduces the need for surface-level infrastructure, enhances safety by physically isolating the reactor from populated areas, and simplifies regulatory approval processes.
The result is a design capable of reducing overall construction and deployment costs by up to 80% compared to conventional plants, while shortening the deployment timeline to as little as six months from groundbreaking to full operation. This model has the potential to transform nuclear power into a fast, scalable, and economically viable clean energy solution suitable for industrial, municipal, and remote applications alike.
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