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To help protect satellites in space, NASA is exposing a small spaceship to a lot of space radiation.
NASA's Space Environment Testbeds are currently scheduled for June 24 SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket as part of a mission test technology called Space Test Program-2 (STP-2). SET aims to study space weather, which refers to the weather conditions in the solar system and how radiation affects spacecraft, to build better equipped for future space exploration.
"You do not want to launch something that can not withstand the environment," said Nicola Fox, director of NASA's heliophysics division, at a press conference on June 7. "These missions will help us determine the right kind of equipment and the best possible technology in the space."
Related: SpaceX's Falcon heavy rocket: in figures
Radiation is one of the main threats to space missions. The energy particles emitted by the Sun or in deep space can damage both the spacecraft software and hardware.
SET is one of three experiments on demonstration and science experiments
Spacecraft (known as DSX), an American spacecraft that is one of 24 different payloads launched as part of SpaceX's STP-2 mission. It will aim to create a gap between the Earth's radiation belts, known as Van Allen Belts. Space, which scientists call the slot region, is full of radiation trapped by the planet's magnetic field – especially during a magnetic storm. These storms occur when there is a change in the magnetic field caused by the solar winds or by the magnetic field of the sun connecting to that of the Earth.
"There have not been too many steps to tell us how bad things are in the slot area," said Michael Xapsos, of the SET project's science team, in a statement. declaration. "That's why we go there."
Using the information gathered by SET on space weather in this area, NASA hopes to build not only a better protected spacecraft, but also a more efficient craft.
"We want to make sure we have the proper design margin," Fox said. "It's very expensive to put kilograms in space … My God, you do not need to launch a battleship if all you need is a dinghy."
Visit Space.com on Monday, June 24 for complete coverage of the STP-2 mission.
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