Robot Begins Retrieval of Melted Fuel Debris at Fukushima Nuclear Plant

A robot has begun a two-week mission inside a damaged reactor at Japan`s Fukushima nuclear power plant. The robot`s objective is to extract a small sample of melted fuel debris from the reactor`s bottom. This operation marks a critical first step in the lengthy and complex process of decommissioning the plant. The robot`s findings will provide valuable insights into the state of the reactor cores and the melted fuel debris. The debris, a hazardous mix of melted nuclear fuel and reactor materials, resulted from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that crippled the plant`s cooling systems. This mission is particularly challenging due to the high radiation levels and the need for precise movements to avoid obstacles within the reactor.