Found this quite interesting.
Known as the South Atlantic Anomaly it has been referred to as the Bermuda triangle of space.
I was watching a TV programme tonight and it mentioned that the hubble telescope had encountered spikes when crossing over this area of the earth in
space. The programme referred to the spikes as potentially disastrous. The ISS has also encountered issues while crossing this path.
en.wikipedia.org...
Updated:
Our space craft generally fly below the proton belt, but over the SAA, the proximity to Earth puts our satellites, the ISS (International Space
Station) and even the Space Shuttles in the path of the intense radiation generated by the trapped protons of the inner Van Allen Belt. As spacecraft
pass over the South Atlantic Anomaly, instruments often malfunction or lock up entirely.
* ROSAT was an x-ray observatory that flew during the 1990s. Its position sensitive proportional counters had to be turned off as it passed through
the SAA to prevent severe damage.
* In 1999, NASA launched the Terra Earth Observing System (TEOS) to study global climate change. As the system passed over the South Atlantic Anomaly,
just one day after launch, an anomalously high current passed through its motor drive assembly, sending its antenna into "safe mode" and preventing
it from communicating data to tracking and data relay system satellites.
* In 2001, NASA's MODIS satellite was rendered inoperative as it passed through the SAA. It took over two weeks to get the satellite back on line.
* The Hubble Space Telescope experiences gyroscope failures and errors in communications as it passes through the SAA1, 3.
* The SAA causes random upsets in the altimeter of the Topex satellite as it flies at an altitude of 1000 kilometers.
* Space Shuttle observations are interrupted by instrument disruptions when the Columbia passes through the SAA2.
* Astronauts report seeing random flashes of light—with their eyes closed. These flashes are believed to be caused by particles striking sensitive
areas of the retina1.
edit on 12-1-2012 by eyespying because: Updated with more detail
