Design and validation at the University of Naples Space Magnetic Field Simulator (SMAFIS)

This paper discusses the design arid validation of the space magnetic field simulator at the University of Naples. The simulator is designed to reprod uce, with a predetermined uniformity, the magnetic field vector as sensed b y an orbiting satellite in an assigned volume about the simulator's geometr ical center. The simulator will be used primarily for ground testing the ma gnetic attitude control subsystem onboard the university microsatellite SMA RT. The paper describes the criteria as well as the mathematical model used for the simulator design. The design aims mainly at developing a simulator configuration that maximizes the volume in which the desired magnetic fiel d vector is realized with a predetermined uniformity with respect to a nomi nal field. The simulator is configured as art open-loop system, in which fi xed currents are used to nullify the local magnetic field. Precision curren ts are then added to the fixed ones to accurately reproduce, in the test vo lume, the in-orbit magnetic field vector variation. Results of the simulato r validation tests are presented.