Atlas 5 Rocket Carrying Radiation Belt Storm Probes
An unmanned United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket is readied to launch NASA's twin Radiation Belt Storm Probes mission on Aug. 24, 2012, from Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
Radiation Belt Storm Probes: Artist's View
The identical Radiation Belt Storm Probes will follow similar orbits that will take them through both the inner and outer radiation belts. The highly elliptical orbits range from a minimum altitude of approximately 373 miles (600 kilometers) to a maximum altitude of approximately 23,000 miles (37,000 kilometers).
Simulated Radiation Belts
In this 1966 photo, a plasma thruster at NASA's Lewis Research Center simulates Van Allen Belts, rings of radiation around the Earth. The Cleveland, Ohio, center is now John H. Glenn Research Center.
United Launch Alliance Atlas 5
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket stands ready for launch at Space Launch Complex-41 with NASA’s Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) satellite. Launch is set for Friday, Aug. 24 at 4:07 a.m. EDT.
How the Van Allen Radiation Belt Probes Work (Infographic)
NASA's Van Allen Belts probes (formerly called the Radiation Storm Belt Probes) mission will study Earth's radiation belts, the Van Allen Belts, like never before. See how they work in this Space.com infographic.
United Launch Alliance Atlas 5
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket stands ready for launch at Space Launch Complex-41 with NASA’s Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) satellite. Launch is set for Friday, Aug. 24 at 4:07 a.m. EDT.
Atlas 5 Payload
The Atlas 5 payload fairing containing the RBSP spacecraft is lifted at Space Launch Complex-41, where the booster awaits.
Van Allen Belts
Two giant donuts of charged particles called the Van Allen Belts surround Earth. These radiation belts will be explored by NASA's twin Radiation Belt Storm Probes mission.
Radiation Belt Storm Astrotech
Technicians at the Astrotech payload processing facility prepare the RBSP spacecraft for encapsulation in the payload fairing.
Spacecraft A
Spacecraft A, one of two Radiation Belt Storm Probes, is checked for proper balance during a spin test.
RBSP Team Group Portrait
The stacked RBSP spacecraft were encapsulated on August 6, 2012. The RBSP team posed for a final group photo.
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