Putting A Lid On Chernobyl

slicer622 writes "Chernobyl is finally getting a containment structure (Washington Post). Billed as the largest moveable structure ever built, its designed to help take apart the wreckage and keep most of the radioactive material from spreading. It will be 800 feet across, and 300 feet high and will cost $800 mil."

The world's largest?

[YellowSnow]

Stable door finally closes!

Quake 3 mapping.

[kpdvx]

I always wondered what a Quake 3 map would look like in real life... :)

For those of you who map, you'll know what I'm talking about. :)

Hundred Years?

[RobertTaylor]

"The shelter is designed to keep water out and dust in for 100 years"

Great, in 2108 we are screwed again.

Re:Hundred Years?

[eingram]

Great, in 2108 we are screwed again.

That won't be our problem, though. ;)

NYET!

[TheOnlyCoolTim]

In Soviet Russia, the fact that Chernobyl isn't in Russia realizes you!

Tim

Why Shouldn't You Wear Russian Pants?

[yoyona]

Because Chernobyl Fallout.

Re:Hundred Years?

[Subcarrier]

That won't be our problem, though. ;)

Early indications are that kids from the Chernobyl fallout area will live to be at least 200 years old. The third arm comes in pretty handy, too.

Radioactive Christmas trees

[Spudley]

Ties in nicely with the story today about radioactive Christmas trees [bbc.co.uk] being sold by russian businessmen.

Obvious Russian Solution

[limekiller4]

Leave it to the Russians to come up with a solution that is, in essence, one big matrioshka doll [www.arsa.ru].

Now I want to see the heir of the peasant who invented these things sue for IP infringement.

Re:Radioactive Christmas trees

[Tablizer]

Ties in nicely with the story today about radioactive Christmas trees [bbc.co.uk] being sold by russian businessmen.

Hmmm. Reindeers with glowing noses may not be myth after all.

Re:Quake 3 mapping.

[Spyffe]

I always wondered what a Quake 3 map would look like in real life... :)

Pretty much the same. But maybe the frame-rate will be a little lower, and textures won't be as detailed.
Most of the "real world" was actually produced for viewing using the ATI Rage 128. That's why computer games have become more and more attractive compared to the "real world" since nVidia unleashed the GeForce3.
Making matters worse, the physics model in the real world is also limited. For instance, rocket jumps are impossible because of improper collision detection between shards of the rocket casing and the jumper, resulting in shards improperly embedded in the body.
Unfortunately, the world was intended for full simulation on what was considered powerful in the 1980s. (The world existed before that, but only in a 2-dimensional form suitable for reproduction on thin, 35mm film.)

Cover Story

[limekiller4]

I've seen more than enough movies to realize that this is a mere cover story to hide the real purpose of this "container" -- sheilding a priveleged few thousand against a rogue earthbound asteroid.

I'll bet you ten bucks that nobody knows where Bruce Willis is right now, either.

Can't fool ME.

Re:Hundred Years?

[InfiniteWisdom]

speaking of sarcophagi...

why not just build a pyramid around it? They've lasted 2000 years, haven't they? (Dead pharaoh, nuclear reactor... pah... big difference)

And in an unrelated story.....

[Darth_brooks]

...The City of Cincinnati has offered the Bengals another new stadium 'out in the suburbs.' Mayor Charlie Luken Deemed the new stadium a 'multi-use facility' and plans are in place to have the team moved within the next 90 days.

Why build another one

[Boiling_point_]

Psssst - I know where you might be able to pick up a suitable enclosure really cheaply, if you don't mind using second hand [millennium-dome.com] equipment. As an added benefit - it seems to do a good job of discouraging tourists! ;-)

Re:Hundred Years?

[Anonymous Coward]

why not just build a pyramid around it? They've lasted 2000 years, haven't they? (Dead pharaoh, nuclear reactor... pah... big difference)

Build a pyramid around it, and put a dead pharoah in with the nuclear waste. It seems like that would make for a great horror/action movie. They could have the mummy duke it out with Curium Man, a shitty Sov technician who was exposed to radiation and got super crime-fighting powers.

Re:Mutants?

[glwtta]

Of course all the animals were radically affected. Approximately half of these animals are now gigantic and are terrorizing Japan as we speak. The other half have become smart-talking, hip ninjas.

Expert's Input...

[miketang16]

"If it weren't for the radioactivity, I could almost call the job 'a piece of cake,' but the radiation makes it hugely complex and extremely difficult."

Yea... and if it weren't for the radiation you wouldn't even be building the 'piece of cake'.

largest moveable structure ever built

[csguy314]

It will be 800 feet across, and 300 feet high and will cost $800 mil.

And after being used to move the Chernobyl remains, Cowboy Neal will be using it as a car.

Re:Radioactive Christmas trees

[hendridm]

> Radioactive Christmas trees (Score:4, Funny)

Only on Slashdot could this be modded as 'Funny'. I suggest doing a Google search for "Chernobyl Pictures".

Re:Current costs are ~ . . .

[SoupIsGoodFood_42]

Not to mention that the process would be worse than the equivilant of cleaning up the dog's accident on the carpet and carrying it, balance pecuriously on a peice of newspaper, right over you family xmas dinner, on the way to the trash can.