Skip to main contentSkip to main content
Back to Glossary
Technical

Van Allen Radiation Belts

Zones of energetic charged particles trapped by Earth's magnetic field, affecting spacecraft design.

The Van Allen belts influence spacecraft design and orbital selection.

Regions

  • Inner belt: ~1,000-6,000 km
  • Outer belt: ~13,000-60,000 km

Implications

  • Radiation hardening requirements
  • MEO constellation challenges
  • Shielding considerations