More precise radiation measurements from the air

March 17, 2015

Measuring radiation from airship

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20150317_37.html

Mar. 17, 2015 - Updated 13:01 UTC+1

A research team at Fukushima University has developed a system to measure radiation levels on mountains using an airship.

The group showed the system to media on Tuesday.

The 14-meter-long unmanned airship has 2 devices on its bottom that measure radiation levels and types of radioactive substances on the ground.

The craft took off from the university and slowly circled a mountain in the suburbs of Fukushima City to take measurements.

The group says the system is expected to obtain data more accurately than airplanes because airships can fly lower and more slowly.
The state uses airplanes to measure radiation from the air.

The system is expected to show where radioactive substances traveled from and accumulated after the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in March 2011. The group hopes it will help develop efficient methods for decontaminating mountains.

Team leader Professor Akira Watanabe says providing scientific data is the first step in ensuring a sense of safety, so his team will work to carry out precise measurements.

On Tuesday, strong wind blew the airship off its initially planned route, reportedly causing it to fall in a mountain forest. The team faces the challenge of achieving stable flight in windy and other poor weather conditions.