Earth  Sun  ID: 11069

Van Allen Probes Overview

Released on November 9, 2012
The Van Allen Probes (formerly the Radiation Belt Storm Probes, RBSP) will explore the Van Allen Radiation Belts in the Earth's magnetosphere. The charged particles in these regions can be hazardous to both spacecraft and astronauts. Project Scientist Dr. David Sibeck explains the how the mission will explore space weather — changes in Earth's space environment caused by the sun — that can disable satellites, create power grid failures and disrupt GPS service. The mission also will allow researchers to understand fundamental radiation and particle acceleration processes throughout the universe.

The 2-year mission launched Thursday, Aug. 23 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The twin probes lifted off on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.

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RBSP Mission Overview

The two-year RBSP mission will help scientists develop an understanding of Earth's Van Allen radiation belts and related regions that pose hazards to human and robotic explorers

For complete transcript, click here.

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Instrument Overview

Dr. David Sibeck explains the instruments on the twin Van Allen Probes (formerly RBSP)

For complete transcript, click here.

 

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Credits

Chris Meaney (HTSI): Lead Animator
Tom Bridgman (Global Science and Technology, Inc.): Lead Animator
Genna Duberstein (USRA): Video Editor
David G. Sibeck (NASA/GSFC): Interviewee
Genna Duberstein (USRA): Producer
David G. Sibeck (NASA/GSFC): Scientist
Shrikanth G. Kanekal (NASA/GSFC): Scientist
Rob Andreoli (Advocates in Manpower Management, Inc.): Videographer
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center

Short URL to share this page:
https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/11069

Missions:
Radiation Belt Storm Probes/Van Allen Probes - RBSP
SDO

This item is part of this series:
Narrated Movies

Goddard TV Tape:
G2012-076 -- RBSP: Radiation Belt Storm Probe

Keywords:
SVS >> HDTV
SVS >> Solar Wind
GCMD >> Earth Science >> Sun-earth Interactions
GCMD >> Earth Science >> Sun-earth Interactions >> Solar Activity >> Solar Flares
GCMD >> Location >> Van Allen Radiation Belts
SVS >> Radiation Belts
SVS >> Space Weather
SVS >> SDO
SVS >> Heliophysics
DLESE >> Narrated
SVS >> Corona
NASA Science >> Earth
NASA Science >> Sun
SVS >> RBSP
GCMD >> Earth Science >> Sun-earth Interactions >> Solar Activity >> Coronal Mass Ejections

GCMD keywords can be found on the Internet with the following citation: Olsen, L.M., G. Major, K. Shein, J. Scialdone, S. Ritz, T. Stevens, M. Morahan, A. Aleman, R. Vogel, S. Leicester, H. Weir, M. Meaux, S. Grebas, C.Solomon, M. Holland, T. Northcutt, R. A. Restrepo, R. Bilodeau, 2013. NASA/Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Earth Science Keywords. Version 8.0.0.0.0