In a previous posting, regarding manned satellites beyond the Van Allen Belts, Paul G. mentioned "The international space station is in LEO (low earth orbit) and is an area of space between 200 and 1200 km and within the Van Allen belt. Any higher and the astronauts would be affected by the radiation and could suffer serious health side effects. The astronauts that went to the moon purposely piloted their craft through a weaker area of the Van Allen Belt to minimize their exposure to the radiation." If NASA has no suits to protect the space travelers from the deadly life threatening gamma and x-rays such as those present at Chernobyl, then how is it possible that those traveling through a similar force field of radiation, as is present in the Van Allen Belts, able to survive? Where is this "weaker area" which Paul G is referring to? The belts are very thick (miles deep). How does one avoid that in a space suit?
2006-08-15
16:14:08
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9 answers
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asked by
jeeveswantstoknow
2