Facility 425:  22ft Coil Magnetic Test Facility

 

Description: The Magnetic Field Component Test Facility (MFCTF) contains a 6.7 m (22’) diameter spherical coil system. This system provides geomagnetic field cancellation within a 0.9 m (3’) diameter sphere to levels described below. This coil system is used primarily for testing smaller satellites, performing instrument-level dipole moment measurements, and for calibrating magnetometers and attitude control systems.

 

Mode of Operation: For a typical magnetometer test, a zero field is established in the center of the coils before the test unit is installed. A reference standard proton magnetometer is then used to calibrate the system. Following this, the test magnetometer is positioned on the platform at the center of the coil and aligned to the coil axes. Finally, static and dynamic fields are generated to establish the linearity, frequency response, zero offset, and alignment characteristics of the magnetometer.

 

Parameters:

           

Physical Characteristics:

Coil access opening:                   1.52 m W x 1.52 m H (5’ x 5’)

 

Building access opening:            3.05 m W x 3.05 m H (10’ x 10’)

 

Integral Instrumentation: The MFCTF is equipped with instrumentation for the calibration and alignment of magnetometers. This instrumentation includes fluxgate and proton magnetometers for zeroing and calibrating. A data acquisition/analysis system is available to acquire the magnetometer data, perform near field analysis, and produce a customer-ready report.

 

Rental Rate:  Inquire