Optimization of multimagnetometer systems on a spacecraft

Abstract

Magnetometers on a radial boom may be employed to determine the first N-1 multipole contributions to the spacecraft field and improve the total accuracy of a magnetic field experiment. The total error for systems of one to four magnetometers is investigated. The optimal magnetometer locations, for which the total error is a minimum, are found for given boom-length, instrument errors and magnetic field models characteristic for spacecraft with only a restricted or ineffective magnetic cleanliness program.