Qualification of the magnetic field simulation facility MFSA for satelites with large dimensions

Within the AIT-process the verification of magnetic cleanliness requirements is an essential pre-requisite to ensure mission success, especially for satellites with dedicated magnetic mission requirements i.e. SOLAR ORBITER. Magnetic cleanliness verification usually comprises a combination of analytical and experimental methods. Based on magnetic measurements performed on equipment level, the magnetic behaviour on system level may be assessed by applying analytical and numerical methods and models and then verified during a magnetic system test as a highly recommended end to end check. The experience from many space projects such as CLUSTER, HUYGENS, ODIN, CHAMP and LISA PATHFINDER, SWARM has proven that the MFSA allows to obtain high-precision magnetic measurements. By the measurements of the projects during the last years, it became obvious that the size and weight of scientific satellites is increasing dramatically. In addition the shape of some satellites has changed from a compact cylinder or cube form to a quite elongated one. From this fact it can derived that several methods typically applied during testing have to be adapted to take the bigger size and different forms of the test objects into account.