A technological jewel nestled in rural Provence
On a clear late morning last week, our drone operator captured this spectacular view of the international territory that hosts the ITER installation. Four times as large as the Vatican City State, but slightly smaller than the Principality of Monaco, the ITER enclave covers 180 hectares, of which about half is occupied by buildings and infrastructure. The land was conceded by France to the ITER Organization in 2010, and will be returned once ITER has completed its scientific program.
Fifteen years after construction work was launched, in the summer of 2010, the 42-hectare platform at the heart of the enclave has acquired its quasi-final appearance. Civil works are now complete and the only "missing" structure is the Hot Cell & Radwaste Facility that will sit next to the Tokamak Complex, facing the boomerang-shaped Headquarters Building of the ITER Organization.
Other aerial photos from the latest campaign will be posted soon to the image library of the ITER website.