NASA's hot radiation mission
NASA is set to launch its Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) to explore the most intense areas of radiation around Earth
By Michael Cooney | Network World US | Published: 17:15, 03 September 12
On 24 August, NASA blasted twin satellites successfully into the radiation belts that surround Earth. The Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) will let researchers finally begin to unlock the mysteries of the Van Allen radiation belts, two doughnut-shaped rings around the Earth made up of very high-energy electrons and protons that can damage satellites and endanger humans during spaceflight, NASA says. Here's what the mission looks like.
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The radiation belts
Image showing the two main radiation belts, the outer belt and the inner belt. The model was developed at the Air Force Research Laboratory. Shown here are representative orbits for three GPS and one geosynchronous spacecraft. (Figure courtesy R. V. Hilmer, Air Force Research Laboratory)
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