Photo: Bill Ingalls · Public domain (US government)

Radiation Belt Storm Probe A

Success ULA, Atlas V 401

Show on globe

About this launch

The Van Allen Probes will study the Van Allen Radiation Belts that surround Earth.

More about this launch

Flight profileThe climb, seen from the side · 3D replay on the globe
to orbit0 km1,150 km downrange185 km up

Watch the 3D simulation →

Launch window and padCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Site
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

Everything launching from Cape Canaveral SFS →

Rocket and boosterAtlas V 401
Vehicle
Atlas V 401

Atlas V 401: specs, record and next flights → ULA: all its launches →

MissionEarth Science · Elliptical

Earth Science · Elliptical

What it put in orbit3 catalogued objects, 1 of them satellites
ObjectTypeOrbit
RBSP A 2012-046A Payload re-entered 2026-03-11
RBSP B 2012-046B Payload 230 × 23545 km · 10.3° Globe
ATLAS 5 CENTAUR R/B 2012-046C Rocket body re-entered 2012-08-30

COSPAR ID 2012-046. Orbits from the CelesTrak satellite catalogue (perigee × apogee, inclination).

Support NextLiftoff The site has no ads. If it's useful to you, a small tip helps pay for the server.

Suggest something

An idea, something broken, a launch with wrong data? It goes straight to me.

Only what you type and the page you're on are kept, no IP address. See the privacy policy.

Follow & remind

Follow this flight
Reminders before liftoff
Also notify me of

If the launch moves, your reminders move with it.

Follow

Every launch, as soon as it's announced.

Remind me before each launch

Reminders follow each launch when it moves. You can change this any time here or on the Notifications page.