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Completed TRL 4 (started at 4, targeting 5)
The 670 miniaturized fluxgate magnetometer is a double-rod design that provides the benefit of a much simpler miniaturized design with high sensitivity and high relative accuracy. Most Heliophysics applications require great relative accuracy (sensitivity to changes), which makes this a very appropriate design. This sensor configuration was flown on the Dellingr and SPORT Cubesats, sounding rockets Auroral Jets 2 and Visions 2, is delivered to the HERMES-NEMISIS magnetometer and is being implemented in the Geospace Dynamics Constellation mission NEMISIS instrument. Having the 3 component coil assemblies within the small volume of the enclosure but not overlapping provides the benefit of minimizing the cross-talk between the three components while maintaining good localization of the vector measurement.
The NEMISIS multi-sensor design (in implementation for both HERMES and GDC missions) requires one highly sensitive sensor, which is our miniaturized fluxgate, supplemented by inexpensive lower sensitivity sensors that extract noise and isolate the scientific geophysical magnetic field. The near-Earth space environment will see the proliferation of in situ measurements via multi-satellite constellations. Current commercial large- and mega-constellations have either low resolution magnetometers onboard or none at all. This IRAD develops and documents standardized build-and-assembly procedures that can aid the fabrication of this sensor in large numbers. Having the capability to mass produce a miniaturized, easily integrated, highly sensitive fluxgate sensor will enable future science breakthroughs from rides of opportunity in such constellations. This IRAD will position Goddard to take advantage of such opportunities and grow our collaboration and synergy with the commercial sector while serving NASA’s objectives. Standardized procedures developed in this IRAD will be shared within the wider GSFC scientific and engineering community.
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