Radiation belt storm probes mission is a space weather mission launched on 30 August 2012, consisting of two identical spacecraft, RBSP A and RBSP B. The twin spacecraft were designed to study the Earth’s Van Allen radiation belts which are regions of space where high-energy electrons are trapped by the Earth’s magnetic field. These electrons can pose a threat to satellites and astronauts, and understanding how they are affected by solar activity is important for predicting and mitigating these effects.
The mission has been successful in studying the radiation belts and their response to solar activity. In 2013, themission made headlines when it discovered a new population of ultra-fast electrons in the outer radiation belt. These electrons were moving at speeds close to the speed of light and had energies up to 100 times higher than any previously observed. The discovery was made possible by the unique capabilities of the twin spacecraft, which allow them to make very precise measurements of electron energy and velocity.
Since its launch, the mission has continued to make important discoveries about the radiation belts and their response to solar activity. In 2014, the mission observed an unexpected decrease in electron density in one of the inner radiation belts during a period of intense solar activity. This finding suggested that some process was at work that was able to remove electrons from this region during periods of high solar activity. Further study is needed to understand this process and its implications for satellite operations and astronaut safety.
The Radiation Belt Storm Probes Mission is providing unprecedented insights into one of the most hazardous environments for human exploration: Earth’s Van Allen radiation belts