ORCA-1 is a modern research reactor designed to build Canada's nuclear workforce, expand research capacity, drive innovation, and accelerate the adoption of micro modular reactor technologies. It is derived from Project LEUNR (Low Enriched Uranium Nuclear Reactor) is a compact, transportable micro-reactor concept that adapts the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) SLOWPOKE-2 reactor design. This uses uses light water, low-enriched ceramic uranium dioxide (U0₂) fuel, beryllium reflectors, and passive safety cooling.