FAQs
Size, Weight & Physical Characteristics
How large is the Tesseract microreactor?
About 8 feet by 8 feet — roughly the size of a standard BICON container. Future iterations are expected to fit into even smaller form factors. Big power, small footprint.
How much does the complete system weigh?
The first series of ZAPP units weigh under 20,000 pounds. Heavy enough to stay put. Light enough to move.
Can the system be transported by truck, rail, ship, or aircraft?
Yes. Truck, rail, ship, aircraft — if it moves cargo, it can move ZAPP.
Can the system be deployed on unimproved or remote terrain?
Absolutely. ZAPP is designed to go where power usually can’t.
Structural Strength, Durability & Survivability
Can the reactor withstand transportation accidents or drops?
Yes. ZAPP is designed for rough handling, rough transport, and rough environments. We assume things don’t always go smoothly.
How does the system perform in extreme environments (desert, arctic, maritime, lunar)?
ZAPP is designed for this world — and the next. Hot, cold, wet, dry, dusty, or airless.
What happens if the reactor is damaged externally?
ZAPP is structurally hardened and designed to tolerate most external impacts while maintaining containment and safety.
Performance, Output & Operations
What is the electrical power output range of the system?
50 to 100 kilowatts, designed for reliable, continuous power.
What is the thermal efficiency of the system?
Optimized for steady, long-duration output, prioritizing reliability over peak performance theatrics.
Can the system operate autonomously?
Yes. ZAPP is designed for autonomous operation with minimal human interaction.
How long can the reactor operate without refueling?
Early models are expected to operate for approximately 10 years without refueling.
Can the reactor support variable or pulsed loads (radars, lasers, AI compute)?
Yes. With appropriate load management systems, ZAPP can support whatever the mission demands.
Security, Proliferation, & Safeguards
How is nuclear material secured against theft or diversion?
The fuel quantity is extremely small and purpose-built. Outside of ZAPP, it’s effectively useless.
Worst-case scenario? Someone steals it and powers a village.
Is the fuel accessible during operation?
No. The core is sealed and inaccessible.
How does the design support non-proliferation objectives?
The fuel is below proliferation thresholds and designed strictly for microreactor use.
What safeguards are in place for international deployment?
Deployment safeguards will align with U.S. policy and partner-nation requirements as international use is considered.
Deployment, Use Cases, & Readiness
How quickly can the system be deployed after delivery?
Same day
Is the system suitable for forward operating bases or disaster response?
That’s exactly what it was designed for.
Can multiple units be networked together?
Yes. Once you start stacking ZAPPs, the possibilities expand quickly.
Radiation, Dose & Human Safety
What is the radiation dose while standing next to the system during operation?
Less than a day of sunbathing. (And definitely less risky.)
How does the dose compare to natural background radiation?
Comparable to — and often below natural background radiation levels encountered in everyday life.
Is it safe for personnel to work near the reactor continuously?
Yes. Personnel can work next to ZAPP continuously without dose concerns.
Are there any exclusion zones required during normal operation?
No. ZAPP is designed for zero external dose concerns and minimal environmental or pedestrian impact.
Monitoring, Control, & Data
How is reactor performance monitored in real time?
Performance is measured using our patented radistors located inside ZAPP, directly where the power is generated.
Is the system remotely monitored or controlled?
Performance data can be monitored remotely. Control remains tightly managed by Tesseract Energy.
ZAPP can be monitored or unmonitored depending on your preference.
What level of human oversight is required?
Minimal. Oversight is provided by Tesseract Energy — not by on-site operators.
Safety, Fail-Safe Behavior, & Accidents
Can the reactor melt down?
No. ZAPP’s design eliminates the physical conditions required for a meltdown.
Has the safety case been validated through modeling or testing?
Yes. Across all modeled scenarios, ZAPP demonstrates an exceptionally strong safety profile.
How does this differ from conventional nuclear safety approaches?
Traditional reactors chase maximum power and require massive infrastructure, staffing, and security.
ZAPP does the opposite — small, simple, low-output, sealed, and inherently safe.
Environmental Impact
What are the environmental impacts during normal operation?
None.
Does the reactor produce emissions of any kind?
No. No emissions, no exhaust, no smoke, no noise.
How does it compare environmentally to diesel generators?
Same power output.
No fuel convoys. No pollution. No noise. And you never have to turn it off.
What is the land footprint compared to solar plus storage?
About the size of a small Chevy truck — not acres of panels and batteries..
Cost Value, Economics, and Roadmap
How does the cost compare to diesel over the system lifetime?
The longer you live with ZAPP, the better you feel about the decision.
How predictable are operating costs?
Extremely predictable.
There basically aren’t any.
What stage of development is the technology currently in?
Early development, with a prototype targeted for 2029.
What differentiates Tesseract from other microreactor developers?
We are truly micro.
Most others are scaled-down SMRs — large, complex, and delicate. ZAPP is small, tough, simple, and built to deploy.