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Completed TRL 4 (started at 4, targeting 6)
Fluxgate magnetometers are often the best option for vector magnetic field measurements in space. Highly sensitive measurements by high-quality fluxgate sensors are based upon 25 mm sensor ringcores. For missions that are resource-constrained, this project will design a lower volume and mass fluxgate sensor could allow a wider range of spacecraft accommodations while maintaining its heritage performance.
This effort will develop a lower weight Magnetometer than the standard Sensor without giving up some of the performance, i.e. noise, accuracy, that is inherent in our smaller sensors (e.g., CubeSat sized). For small satellite missions that are resource-constrained, the improvement of fluxgate technology through sensor miniaturization may open the possibilities to use lighter weight booms, consume less volume/mass, and still maintain heritage performance. Development of this “mid-sized” sensor would allow resource-constrained mission to do cutting-edge science with a heritage sensor with similar performance of missions like Juno, MAVEN, Parker, GOES, and others.
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