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Drone Mission Discovers Hole in Fukushima Reactor Vessel

3/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A drone mission at Fukushima Daiichi Unit 3 found a hole in the pressure vessel's bottom, the first sighting since the 2011 meltdown.
The micro-drones, weighing 95 grams, collected visual and radiation data during a two-week operation.
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) confirmed melted fuel debris hanging from the vessel.
The mission produced a three-dimensional map of the reactor to aid investigations and debris removal.

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Story summary

A drone mission at Fukushima Daiichi Unit 3 found a hole in the pressure vessel's bottom, the first sighting since the 2011 meltdown.
The micro-drones, weighing 95 grams, collected visual and radiation data during a two-week operation.
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) confirmed melted fuel debris hanging from the vessel.
The mission produced a three-dimensional map of the reactor to aid investigations and debris removal.