2006-09-14 05:51:17 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The other answers have some good points and i will not repeat them. The Van Allan belt is ionized to the point that if u have a high voltage on u could have an arc over that could destroy some electronics. Especially your traveling wave tube. The vacuum is much better in space so the tube doesn't have a glass envelope. TwT as it is called is very important for high freq. communications.
2006-09-14 09:44:56 · answer #1 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Space Station orbits in low earth orbit for many reasons. One is that it costs a great deal of money for the fuel to get to a higher altitude. And a higher altitude won't provide greater benefit.
Traveling beyond the Van Allen Belt can be done safely, but requires additional protection on the space craft. However, anytime you add anything to the spacecraft, it requires more fuel which costs more (to speed up and slow down).
NASA is looking at a number of different ways to protect astronauts from radiation. One method is to have a spacecraft that runs on hydrogen and store the hydrogen around the spacecraft (Which acts as a good protection against radiation). Also using a magnetic generator has been suggested, which could be also used as a type of solar sail. Materials with embeded hydrogen are also being reviewed.
Doing it the safest AND cheapest way is the goal. Like building a race car to go fast, but also be safe.
The good news is that the moon regolith (soil) is really good at blocking radiation, so building a moon base using the soil as a shield could be a cheaper method for protection once we are there.
2006-09-14 06:45:23 · answer #2 · answered by Doob_age 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First of all, because the higher the orbit the more money it takes to reach the platform. Secondly The ISS is built to withstand a certain amount of radiation. Lastly the Apollo Missions only spent about 3 hours in the Van Allen Belt. During that time they received a dose of radiation equivalent to a dental X-ray. If you don't have to subject your astronauts to that radiation, then it doesn't make sense to subject them to it at all.
2006-09-14 06:47:12 · answer #3 · answered by Democestes 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To be protected from radiation in space, mostly from the sun, you need to be within the earth's magnetosphere(below van allen's belt), or have shielding.
It is possible that if one stayed at the moon too long, a solar flair could kill you before you could escape it.
2006-09-14 06:04:10 · answer #4 · answered by WheeeeWhaaaaa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To stay safe!
2006-09-14 05:59:32 · answer #5 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋