Algorithms for accurate LEO geomagnetic measurements with satellite-mounted magnetometers

Geomagnetic measurements are important in space weather and engineering applications of earth-orbiting satellites. This research presents an innovative algorithm that enables high-quality magnetic field measurements on spacecraft without booms. The algorithm estimates the background field using multiple magnetometers and current telemetry on board a spacecraft. Results of a hardware-in-the-loop simulation showed an order of magnitude reduction in the magnetic effects of spacecraft onboard time-varying currents-from 300 nT to an average residual of 15 nT.