Mini Drones to Probe Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant

Tokyo Electric Power Company unveils new method to investigate damaged reactors, with first flight planned for February.

Mini drones, each weighing only 185 grams, have been demonstrated by Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) as a new method to investigate the damaged reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
The drones are intended to gather more data about the hundreds of tons of melted fuel that remain inside the reactors, nearly 13 years after the 2011 disaster.
Previous attempts to send robots inside the reactors were hindered by debris, high radiation levels, and difficulties navigating through the rubble.
Four drones are ready to be sent inside the No. 1 reactor for five-minute intervals, with the first flight planned for February.
Critics argue that the 30-40-year cleanup target set by the government and TEPCO for Fukushima Daiichi is overly optimistic, with about 900 tons of highly radioactive melted nuclear fuel still inside the three damaged reactors.