NASA's Van Allen Probe Mission in Pictures

Centaur Stage Mating with Atlas 5 Rocket

At Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., United Launch Alliance technicians support the lifting operation as the Centaur stage is prepared for mating with the Atlas V rocket, which will launch the Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, spacecraft. Image released July 16, 2012.

Centaur Stage for RBSP Lifted

At Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., the Centaur stage is being lifted for mating with the Atlas V rocket, which will launch the Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, spacecraft. Image released July 16, 2012.

RBSP Spacecraft B's Spin

The RBSP team observes spacecraft B's 55 revolution per minute (RPM) spin balance testing. Image tweeted July 10, 2012.

Twin RBSP Spacecraft Arrive at KSC

NASA's twin Radiation Belt Storm Probe spacecraft are shown here in their protective shipping containers as they are unloaded from a United States Air Force C-17 at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. on the morning of May 1, 2012. RBSP is scheduled to begin its mission of exploration of Earth's Van Allen Radiation Belts and the extremes of space weather after launch, scheduled for August 23, 2012.

Twin RBSP Spacecraft Unloading

NASA's twin Radiation Belt Storm Probe spacecraft are shown here in their protective shipping containers as they are unloaded from a United States Air Force C-17 at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. on the morning of May 1, 2012. RBSP is scheduled to begin its mission of exploration of Earth's Van Allen Radiation Belts and the extremes of space weather after launch, scheduled for August 23, 2012.

Twin RBSP Spacecraft Arrive at KSC — Tail View

NASA's twin Radiation Belt Storm Probe spacecraft are shown here in their protective shipping containers as they are unloaded from a United States Air Force C-17 at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. on the morning of May 1, 2012. RBSP is scheduled to begin its mission of exploration of Earth's Van Allen Radiation Belts and the extremes of space weather after launch, scheduled for August 23, 2012.

RBSP Separation

This artist rendering shows the twin Radiation Belt Storm Probes as they will appear shortly after they have separated from their launch vehicle, before they have moved apart from each other and deployed their solar panels and booms.

Human Protection

In Earth orbit and in interplanetary space, humans are directly exposed to space weather and its potentially dangerous impact.