Thu, Aug 10, 2006
NASA is remembering
pioneering astrophysicist James Van Allen, who died Wednesday at
the age of 91.
"James Van Allen was one of the greatest and most accomplished
American space scientists of our time and few researchers had such
wide range of expertise in so many scientific disciplines," said
NASA Administrator Michael Griffin.
"NASA's path of space exploration is far more advanced today
because of Dr. Van Allen's ground breaking work."
Van Allen's most widely known contribution was the 1958
discovery of radiation belts, now called Van Allen belts,
encircling the Earth. He also is credited with discovery of a new
moon of Saturn in 1979, as well as radiation belts around that
planet.
Van Allen was at the forefront of physics. During his career, he
was the principal investigator for scientific investigations on 24
Earth satellites and planetary missions, beginning with the first
successful American satellite, Explorer I, (pictured below: The
three men responsible for the success of Explorer 1, America's
first satellite, launched Jan. 31, 1958 -- From left, William H.
Pickering, James Van Allen and Wernher von Braun) and continuing
with Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11.
He also helped develop the first plans for an International
Geophysical Year.
In recognition of his contribution to U.S. space research, Van
Allen received 13 honorary doctorates, NASA's Medal of Exceptional
Achievement, the Commander of the Order du Merite pour la Recherche
et L'Invention and the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical
Society.
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