A diminutive drone, compact enough to be held in one's palm, embarked on an exploration mission inside one of the ravaged reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. This initiative aimed to scrutinize areas within the reactor where previous robotic attempts had fallen short, particularly in examining the molten fuel debris.
Concurrently, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings commenced the fourth round of releasing treated and diluted radioactive wastewater from the plant into the ocean. Despite assurances from the government and TEPCO regarding the safety of the water and the stringent monitoring process overseen by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the discharge faced vehement opposition from fishing communities and a ban on Japanese seafood imposed by China.
The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant suffered severe damage from a colossal magnitude 9.0 earthquake and ensuing tsunami in March 2011, resulting in the meltdown of three reactors due to the loss of power supply and cooling systems. The arduous task of decommissioning the plant, exacerbated by technical complexities and a dearth of pertinent data, has been marred by extensive delays.
In an endeavor to address the information deficit, a fleet of four drones was dispatched to explore the primary containment vessel of the heavily impacted No. 1 reactor. Previous attempts by TEPCO to investigate the reactors using various probes, including crawling robots and underwater vehicles, were impeded by formidable challenges such as debris obstruction, elevated radiation levels, and navigational constraints amid the rubble.
The drone deployment on Wednesday followed months of meticulous preparations and training initiated in July at a simulated facility adjacent to the plant. Weighing a mere 185 grams (6.5 ounces) each, these drones boast exceptional maneuverability and minimal dust disturbance due to their compact design. Equipped with a front-loaded high-definition camera, they can transmit live video and high-quality images to a control room.
Due to battery limitations, each drone's investigative flight within the reactor is restricted to a brief 5-minute duration. TEPCO officials intend to leverage the data collected to refine technological capabilities for future probes and develop strategies for the extraction of melted fuel debris from the reactor in the ensuing years. Furthermore, the acquired data will be instrumental in unraveling the events leading to the 2011 meltdown.
Initially, two drones were tasked with surveying the vicinity surrounding the primary structural support within the vessel, known as the pedestal, before determining the feasibility of dispatching the remaining two drones into previously inaccessible areas. The objective is to capture footage of the core's bottom to elucidate the mechanism by which overheated fuel accumulated there during the 2011 catastrophe.
Despite ambitious targets set by the government and TEPCO for the Fukushima Daiichi cleanup, critics argue that the projected 30- to 40-year timeline is overly optimistic. Given the unique challenges posed by the condition of each reactor, comprehensive plans must be devised to accommodate their distinct circumstances.
TEPCO's aspiration to extricate a small quantity of melted debris from the comparatively intact No. 2 reactor as a pilot endeavor by the end of March using a colossal robotic arm has encountered setbacks. Delays attributed to the obstruction of entry by a deposit underscore the formidable obstacles and uncertainties inherent in the decommissioning process, adding to the existing complexity of the endeavor.
