 Artist's impression of the Van Allen Probes in orbit | |
| Names | Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Astrophysics |
| Operator | NASA |
| COSPAR ID | 2012-046A 2012-046B |
| SATCAT no. | 38752 38753 |
| Website | vanallenprobes |
| Mission duration | Planned: 2 years Final: 7 years, 1 month, 17 days |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | Applied Physics Laboratory |
| Launch mass | ~1500 kg for both |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 30 August 2012, 08:05 UTC |
| Rocket | Atlas V 401 AV-032 |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral SLC-41 |
| Contractor | United Launch Alliance |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Decommissioned |
| Deactivated | Van Allen Probe A: 18 October 2019 Van Allen Probe B: 19 July 2019 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Highly elliptical |
| Semi-major axis | 21,887 km (13,600 mi) |
| Perigee altitude | 618 km (384 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 30,414 km (18,898 mi) |
| Inclination | 10.2° |
| Period | 537.1 minutes |
Large Strategic Science Missions Heliophysics Division Living With a Star program | |
The Van Allen Probes, formerly known as the Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP),[1] were two robotic spacecraft that were used to study the Van Allen radiation belts that surround Earth. NASA conducted the Van Allen Probes mission as part of the Living With a Star program.[2] Understanding the radiation belt environment and its variability has practical applications in the areas of spacecraft operations, spacecraft system design, mission planning and astronaut safety.[3] The probes were launched on 30 August 2012 and operated for seven years. Both spacecraft were deactivated in 2019 when they ran out of fuel. They are expected to deorbit during the 2030s.
- ^ "Van Allen Probes: NASA Renames Radiation Belt Mission to Honor Pioneering Scientist". Science Daily. Reuters. 11 November 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
- ^ "RBSP - Mission Overview". NASA. 28 March 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
- ^ Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) Archived 2 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine