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
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- 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.