Worksite postcards
Under fog and autumn light
4 Nov 2019
Due to its proximity to the Durance River and to the narrow gully spanned by the Bridge of Mirabeau, the area around ITER often experiences a peculiar meteorological phenomenon: whereas the rest of the countryside basks in bright sunlight, a thick fog settles on the approaches of the ITER worksite.
As the fog over the Durance River valley dissipates, the ITER site is revealed in all its industrial beauty. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
On the morning of 25 October, our drone operator captured the precise moment when the installation buildings emerge from the clearing fog—a spectacular and unusual image that conveys an eerie feeling ...
In this latest drone survey, many other things were captured: the monster crawler crane stationed at the side of the Tokamak Complex, ready to extend its 120-metre long boom to install the pillars of the future crane hall; the crisp details of the installation's buildings, outlined by the autumn light; and the ongoing works in and around the Tokamak Complex.
Once again, the ITER site is revealed in all its industrial beauty—a unique place for a unique purpose.
At the top of the Tokamak Building, contractors are adding pillars during the late evening/night shift, and consolidating them by adding cross bars during the day. A second round of pillars installed on top of the first will bring the metal structure to the height of the Assembly Hall roof. As part of its contributions to the ITER Project, Europe is responsible for building nearly all of the on-site buildings and installations. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
The Assembly and Cleaning facilities fade partially into the landscape thanks to their reflective cladding. The Tokamak Complex, once completed, will be covered in the same. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
Seen from the northeast: approximately 75% of the infrastructure required to produce ITER's First Plasma is in place. One major structure that remains to be realized is the ITER Control Building. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
If one were to raise the lid of the circular Tokamak Pit, a 30-metre-deep well would be revealed. For now however—until the Tokamak Building roof is in place—it remains covered and protected from the weather. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
From the air, it is easy to imagine the bridge cranes travelling along rails between the Assembly and Tokamak buildings to deliver machine components. It is approximately 170 metres from one end to the other. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
The ITER construction platform, filmed by drone in late October. A warm autumn and significant recent rainfall have contributed to the "tender green" seen all around the site. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
The covered Assembly Building with the adjacent Cleaning (left) and Radio Frequency (bottom) facilities. To the right, the Tokamak Complex, with the near-completed Tokamak Building bordered by the Diagnostics Building (top) and the Tritium Building (bottom). Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
On 25 October the drone was up before the Sun, producing a series of remarkable images—with all sharp corners erased. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche