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9. Aug. 2006 - DR. JAMES VAN ALLEN Died |
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Physicist James Van Allen died of heart failure at age 91. Dr. Van Allen played an important role in the US effort to launch a satellite into orbit. He developed the Geiger counter carried by the first US satellite Explorer I. This device discovered two radiation belts that surround the Earth. They were named in honor of Dr. Van Allen. Dr. Van Allen appeared as himself in the documentary mini series "The Planets." The radiation belts that carry his name was used as major plot device in the Irwin Allen film "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea." |
