Japanese authorities encountered a setback in their efforts to investigate one of the damaged reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Plans to deploy drones for a second day were abandoned due to equipment failure.
On Wednesday, two drones successfully flew inside the reactor for the first time, examining molten fuel debris and damages in areas previously inaccessible to robots. However, Thursday's attempt was delayed, highlighting the challenges of the task at hand.
The Fukushima Daiichi plant suffered a triple meltdown in 2011 following a massive earthquake and tsunami, leaving behind a significant amount of radioactive melted nuclear fuel in each reactor. The decommissioning process has faced delays and technical obstacles.
TEPCO had prepared a fleet of four drones to enter the No. 1 reactor's primary containment vessel, where most of the fuel melted and settled on the concrete bottom. The first two drones provided valuable images, but the subsequent flights were canceled after a crawling robot designed to transmit data malfunctioned.
Officials are investigating the cause of the robot's failure and have not specified when the next drone flight will occur. Despite the setback, Fukushima Daiichi decommissioning chief expressed cautious optimism, emphasizing the need for careful and methodical progress.
The data collected from the drones will inform future probe technologies and the process of removing the melted fuel from the reactor. Approximately 880 tons of highly radioactive fuel remain in the damaged reactors, posing a significant cleanup challenge.
Previous attempts to explore the reactors using robots have been impeded by debris, high radiation levels, and navigation difficulties. The current efforts aim to overcome these obstacles and develop a comprehensive plan for the safe removal of the melted fuel.
Critics have raised concerns about the ambitious 30- to 40-year cleanup timeline set by the government and TEPCO, citing the unique challenges posed by each reactor's condition. Despite the complexities involved, authorities remain committed to the long-term goal of decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
