Radiation environment

Van Allen Radiation Belts

Two (sometimes more) doughnut-shaped zones of energetic charged particles trapped by Earth's magnetic field. Spacecraft crossing the belts — and those in orbits within them — must be hardened against the intense radiation.

Environment & effects

Affects:Earth

Related:Magnetosphere

Knowledge connections

AffectsEarth
Associated withMagnetosphere
Associated withExplorer 1 and the Van Allen Belts
Associated withSatellites
Associated withHuman Spaceflight

Sources

Facts on this topic will be cited from these primary and reference sources.

NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.

Loading…