BackForward Satellite Programme: Van Allen Probes 

Programme details
Programme description
  • Dual-satellite programme, for Space weather.  Previously named RBSP (Radiation Belt Storm Probes).
  • USA programme: NASA contracted JHU/APL (Johns Hopkins University/Applied Physics Laboratory) of Laurel, MD responsible of development and operations.
  • The platforms are spin-stabilized.
  • The design lifetime of the satellites is 2 years.
  • The satellites exploit highly-elliptical low-inclination orbits.
  • See detailed description at http://vanallenprobes.jhuapl.edu/index.php.
Data circulation
  • Onboard stored and real-time data are downlinked to JHU/APL, that also is responsible of data processing and distribution.
Agencies NASA
Programme lifetime 2012 - 2019
Associated satellites and instruments

Note: red tag => no longer operational , green tag => operational , blue tag => planned