License to Launch Workshop #3 - Defining the Limit: MCA vs. MHA in Modern Siting and Safety Analyses

The NRC’s “License to Launch” workshop series is designed to support new and advanced reactor designers, developers, and stakeholders in navigating the NRC’s licensing process. Through a sequence of interactive sessions, the series aims to clarify regulatory requirements, explore effective licensing strategies, and provide practical tools and insights to enhance application quality and readiness. Participants will engage directly with NRC experts and industry peers, gaining the knowledge and confidence needed to advance innovative reactor projects safely and efficiently from concept to approval. The third workshop in the License to Launch series will provide an overview of accident source terms and will describe two analytical approaches—maximum credible accident (MCA) and maximum hypothetical accident (MHA)—that developers may use to define the accident scenario used in evaluations of reactor safety and site suitability. The workshop will include examples of each approach and brief discussions on their regulatory context. By participating, stakeholders will gain foundational knowledge to inform strategic licensing decisions and prepare for future engagement with the NRC. NOTE: Virtual attendees should click or copy and paste the following link to access the meeting: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/86d36e8d-2df1-4bfe-a976-4c912f2d4d21@e8d01475-c3b5-436a-a065-5def4c64f52e?source=copyLinkLegacyShareEventDialog