Facility 426:  42ft Coil Magnetic Test Facility

 

Description: The Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility (SMTF) 12.8 m (42’) coil system is one of the three known spherical coil systems of this size in the world. Its geomagnetic field cancellation system is capable of cancelling the Earth’s magnetic field within a 1.83 m (6’) diameter sphere. The SMTF also has a set of 2.90 m (9’6”) diameter Helmholtz coils available for perming and deperming spacecraft, and 1.22 m (4’) and 1.83 m (6’) diameter coils for magnetically cleaning smaller test items.

 

Mode of Operation:

Magnetic Dipole Moment Testing: Zero-field is first established in the center of the coil. A reference standard proton magnetometer is used to calibrate the coils. For each measurement sequence, the test item and facility dolly are moved to the center of the coil. As the dolly is rotated 360 degrees, three-component magnetic field data is obtained at 10-degree increments. The data are then stored in the computer for immediate display and processing. If the test item exceeds its test limit, compensation magnets can be developed to reduce the dipole moment to acceptable levels.

 

Spacecraft Magnetometer Calibration: Initial setup is similar to magnetic dipole moment testing. The test item is positioned in the center of the coil and aligned with the coil axes. Static and dynamic fields are generated to establish linearity, frequency response, zero offset, and alignment characteristics of the test item. The data system can be used to collect, store, and display test parameters.

 

Parameters:

           

Physical Characteristics:

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

 

Building access opening:       4.27 m W x 4.57 m H (14’ x 15’)

 

Hoists lifting cap. (4):        4,536 Kg (5 ton), 2,722 Kg (3 ton), and two 2,268 Kg (2.5 ton)

 

                       

Integral Instrumentation: The SMTF is equipped with single and triaxial magnetometers, proton magnetometers, torque meter, and data collection instrumentation. It contains the three Helmholtz coils described above, with their associated AC and DC power supplies.

 

Rental Rate:  Inquire