The Van Allen Belts are regions of highly energetic charged particles surrounding Earth, trapped by the planet’s magnetic field. These particles, primarily electrons and protons, pose a significant radiation hazard. The intensity of radiation within the belts varies, with some areas presenting a much greater risk than others. Passing through these belts necessitates mitigating the effects of this radiation exposure on spacecraft and their occupants.
The existence of these radiation belts was discovered early in the space age, during the first Explorer missions. Knowledge of the Van Allen Belts has been critical in the planning of all crewed space missions. The Apollo missions demonstrated the feasibility of traversing the belts with careful planning of trajectories and appropriate shielding of the spacecraft, although the radiation dosage received by the astronauts was still a factor of concern. Further understanding of the dynamic nature of these belts could optimize future missions and reduce potential harm.
