• 35:15 - 38:36
Massimo Mazzucco | Marijuana, Moon Landings, & The Cancer Conspiracy
Van Allen Radiation Belts, Physical Space Travel Hurdles
The Van Allen radiation belts, discovered in 1958, present a significant physical obstacle to manned space travel beyond low Earth orbit. James Van Allen originally described these belts as containing lethal radiation that would require heavy shielding, which was too heavy for the Apollo spacecraft. The trajectory required to reach the moon forces transit through the most intense parts of these belts near the equator.