Determination of the magnetic moment with spherical measurements and spherical harmonics modelling

The magnetic moment of space equipment is a needed input for spacecraft magnetic budgeting. In general, a maximum value is also specified. Most of the time, due to the complexity of the equipment, the accurate determination of this magnetic global dipole moment is not possible by analysis. The magnetic sources that compose an equipment can be numerous and of various natures (actuators, current loops in circuits and wires, components, etc.). An experimental determination of the magnetic moment is then necessary. The basic method of the "6 faces" is not adapted for complex equipment (i.e. composed of several elementary dipoles). Intespace and CNES have experimented in the CNES magnetic test facility a method of determination of the magnetic moment using spherical measurements and spherical harmonics modelling. This method has been validated with simulation results and measurements on an assembly of 3 magnets. This paper will also compare the results obtained with other methods of magnetic moment determination. Another advantage of this method is to allow the measurement close to the equipment and then extrapolate the field at another higher distance.