As a means of investigating the interiors of the disabled nuclear plant at Fukushima, Japan, a robot was developed for the task and sent into the number 1 reactor.
It’s been 4 years since the nuclear reactor meltdowns in Fukushima, Japan and conditions inside remain far too dangerous for human exploration.
As a means of investigating the interiors, a robot was specially developed for the task and sent into the number 1 reactor.
Designed to last 10 hours, the machine stopped working after only 3.
Researchers and engineers are uncertain as to why it abruptly ceased to function, but in the time it was operable a number of important images and readings were relayed.
The scene is every bit as post-apocalyptic as one would expect.
Debris covers the floors, and steam, believed to be coming from the locations of the disabled nuclear fuel rods, can be seen rising from grates.
Radiation readings hit a level of 9.7 sieverts per hour. The Wall Street Journal notes that “short-term exposure to 10 sieverts is enough to kill a person within a few weeks.”
