James A. Van Allen, Discoverer of Earth-Circling Radiation Belts, Is Dead at 91

[Dougly]

Not really related to Wing Commander in any way, but still of interest to those who follow space exploration:

James A. Van Allen, the physicist who made the first major scientific discovery of the early space age, the Earth-circling radiation belts that bear his name, and sent spacecraft instruments to observe the outer reaches of the solar system, died yesterday in Iowa City. He was 91.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/10/science/space/10vanallen.html?_r=1&ref=obituaries&oref=slogin