Prediction of DC magnetic fields for magnetic cleanliness on spacecraft

Abstract

Magnetometry is among the most used techniques in space exploration, e.g. to study complex plasma interactions between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetosphere, to map the planetary or interplanetary magnetic fields, or to retrieve information about the structural composition of planets. The success of each mission relies on the attainment of an adequate level of magnetic cleanliness at the sensor locations. At the European Space Agency (ESA) a prediction tool has been developed to simulate the far-field spurious magnetic field generated by the spacecraft in terms of remanent and induced magnetic dipole moments. Such magnetic dipole moments represent units and components of the satellite. Input data can be obtained from measurements, derived by analysis, or estimated by heritage from previous missions. The development of the analytical tool is finished and will be validated by measurements carried out on the integrated spacecraft in a large magnetic coil facility, and later used to support the definition of the algorithms for processing the flight data of a mission, which is currently under development. The prediction tool will also find useful applications for future missions, for example during the design trade-off for the instrument positioning, e.g. the length of the boom.