Multiple magnetic dipole modeling and field prediction of satellites

A new method for the analysis of the dc magnetic properties of spacecraft and their subassemblies is proposed. The method, which is applicable as well to a more general variety of problems, is based on a multiple dipolar modeling of the test object; a very effective optimization procedure of the Gauss-Newton type is used to determine the dipole positions and moments of the model which reconstitute in a best manner the dc magnetic field measurements (least squares fit). Application to one subassembly and two complete spacecraft allows to appreciate the capabilities of the method to help in solving the recently more and more difficult problems in the field of dc magnetic cleanliness efforts (analysis and compensation) of spacevehicles.