James A. Van Allen (1914–2006): From Iowa to APL to Iowa to Space
This issue focuses on the Van Allen Probes mission and also highlights other exciting work at the Laboratory, including advances in additive manufacturing capabilities and a new methodology for evaluating a system’s risk and reliability. The issue begins with a brief biographical sketch and remembrance of James Van Allen, eponym of the Earth-encircling radiation belts and the successful mission investigating high-energy charged particles in space environments. Five articles present a comprehensive overview of the mission, the spacecraft, and observations and contributions to date. The final two articles discuss a new methodology that combines simulation with game theory to populate a fault tree, as well as Laboratory developments in additive manufacturing, including the recently established Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence. The issue concludes with a Special Feature describing this year’s Achievement Award winners.