On January 23, 2023, a major milestone was achieved when the Elios 3 drone successfully mapped a radioactive waste storage vault built in the 1960s. This groundbreaking mission marked the first time a drone had been flown inside such a high-radiation environment, offering vital data to support the future removal of dangerous materials. The operation took place in late November 2022 at the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center, part of the Idaho National Laboratory in eastern Idaho. A team of about 50 people worked together to set up the mission, covering the vault with a protective plastic tent to meet FAA and Department of Energy (DOE) safety standards. A crane was used to lift the vault’s lid, allowing the drone to enter safely. Flying into the irradiated space was a high-stakes endeavor. If the drone were lost, it could not be retrieved. But the Elios 3 performed flawlessly, capturing all necessary LiDAR data in just seven minutes. A GeoSLAM expert on-site processed the data in real-time, ensuring the 3D map met IEC’s requirements for planning the next steps. “The Elios 3 was able to gather all the data we needed despite the intense radiation,†said Kevin Young, Principal Electrical Engineer at IEC. “This information is essential for moving forward safely. The mission was a huge success.†For over two years, IEC had been searching for a reliable way to map the interior of the vault, which contained calcine—high-level radioactive waste stored in massive stainless-steel bins. These bins were never meant to be removed, making safe retrieval a complex challenge. Without accurate maps, it was impossible to plan where to drill or how to maneuver equipment. IEC evaluated several options, including robotic arms and helium blimps, before choosing the Elios 3. The drone was tested under extreme conditions, exposed to up to 10,000 Roentgen per hour of radiation. A life-sized replica of the vault was also built for pilot training, ensuring the team was fully prepared for the real mission. “After more than a year of preparation, it was incredibly rewarding to see this project come to fruition,†said Alexandre Meldem, Managing Director of Flyability North America. “The Elios 3 proved its value in a situation where traditional methods wouldn’t work. It shows how our technology can make the impossible possible.†A second flight was conducted successfully, but during a third test with an added dosimeter, the drone struggled to maintain altitude and became stuck on a metal bracket. Despite this, the drone transmitted a radiation reading of 7 Gy/h before the battery died. Experts confirmed that leaving the drone in place posed no risk to personnel or the structure. Now that the vault has been fully mapped, IEC is preparing to begin the removal of the calcine, a process they aim to start this year. There are six such vaults on site, containing a total of 4,400 cubic meters of radioactive waste. Removing it is a critical step toward completing the cleanup at the Idaho National Laboratory. To learn more about this historic mission, read the full case study. --- About Flyability Flyability is a leader in confined space inspection drones, developing innovative technology that allows remote data collection in hazardous environments. Since its launch in 2014, Flyability has become a trusted partner for industries requiring internal inspections. With offices in Switzerland, China, Singapore, and the U.S., the company serves over 1,000 clients across 60 countries. Flyability's solutions are used in sectors like power generation, oil and gas, mining, wastewater, chemicals, maritime, and infrastructure. More information: www.flyability.com | @fly_ability Contact: +41 21 311 55 00 About the Idaho Environmental Coalition In 2021, the Idaho Environmental Coalition, LLC (IEC) was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the cleanup at the Idaho National Laboratory Site under a $6.4 billion, ten-year contract. IEC is led by Jacobs, with North Wind Portage as a partner. The coalition includes small business subcontractors like Navarro, ORT, and Spectra Tech, working together to accelerate environmental cleanup and support the INL mission. Learn more: www.idaho-environmental.com Double-wall Corrugated Pipe Extrusion Line
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