Van Allen Radiation Belts

[Quantum Jim]

Obviously there should be radiation belts around Kerbin, but the game doesn't simulate them. Where would they be around the planet if they were simulated? If one's striving for realism, they should plan short trips thru them. They should cause malfunctions. Where would they be around other planets in the Kerbol system?

[Scotius]

Since Kerbol system is ten times smaller than ours, Van Allen belts should be ten times closer. And be ten times smaller and weaker. Is it really that important for realistic feel when Kerbol itself is too small to even be a star in the first place?

[stupid_chris]

Ships will not malfunction randomly or for radiation/micrometeorite impacts, the devs are against it. They don't want too much realism neither, I mean, even Orbiter doesn't simulate those. Maybe as a mod if you really want to but not as stock. Although yeah, those would be really small due to the mass of the planets being lower.

[Olvirm]

Elements of randomness when it comes to malfunctions is terrible. I would rather know that my spacecraft isn't working because of my mistakes rather than it isn't working because of some probability that I fell into

[FITorion]

I believe the belts are equatorial...

so given the size difference I'd say ballpark one at 80-85Km and another at 90-95Km would be about it. So you'd have a little safe zone between the belts and then be safe above. My wild guess could of course be completely wrong.

[Tiron]

Well the little lobes that extend towards the planet are important too. In particular, there's a spot in the south atlantic where the inner belt gets REALLY close in and causes all kinds of problems.

[Catsceo]

Well the little lobes that extend towards the planet are important too. In particular, there's a spot in the south atlantic where the inner belt gets REALLY close in and causes all kinds of problems.

I believe thats caused by a small bit of north magnetic pole sticking out of the south atlantic.

[geb]

Having magnetism and radiation sensors in the scientific instrument section would be neat , even if it had no effect on gameplay.

If anybody really wants it, go out and do some of the work yourself. Find equations describing the shape of the fields, and post them in the dev forum as a suggestion.

[Galileo Kerbonaut]

Having radiation belts also suggests having polar bases which would be an awesome addition as well.