Rare Footage Provides Clues for Decommission Process
A drone and a snake-like robot have uncovered the extensive damage within the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant’s wrecked reactor, offering a glimpse into the aftermath of the 2011 meltdown. This breakthrough comes 13 years after the catastrophic event that rocked the world.
The Challenge of Decommissioning
The footage exposes the daunting task ahead as reactors 1 to 3 remain difficult to examine due to high levels of radioactivity and fuel leaks. Approximately 880 tons of highly radioactive melted nuclear fuel still linger within the damaged reactors, requiring safe removal before full decommissioning can proceed.
Breakthrough Technology
Previous attempts to assess reactor conditions had failed, but Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) introduced a lightweight drone to navigate the containment chambers. This technology aims to locate the exact position of the fuel and facilitate the development of robots for its safe extraction, a process estimated to span another decade.
Revealing Discoveries
The drone’s footage revealed significant damage within the reactor, showcasing displaced material and suggesting structural disruptions. While unable to measure radiation levels, the drone illuminated the challenges of navigating the reactor’s core with limited visibility.
Long Road to Recovery
Over 13 years since the Fukushima disaster, engineers continue the painstaking process of examining and decommissioning the nuclear reactors. With technical hurdles and scarce data hindering progress, the cleanup timeline of 30 to 40 years faces skepticism from critics.