Calibration of Onboard Magnetometers of the Attitude Control System of the SamSat-ION University Nanosatellite

Abstract

This work is focused on the calibration of magnetometers for the attitude control system of the SamSat-ION university nanosatellite. A calibration methodology is proposed to take into account the temperature drift of the sensors readings. Measurements are carried out in twelve static positions, with sequential cooling and heating in the temperature range from –10 to +50°С, and are used to calculate the estimates of the temperature dependences of the bias, scale factor, and nonorthogonalities of the magnetometer axes. The main results of the ground tests of the SamSat-ION onboard systems obtained in accordance with the proposed methodology are discussed. The operability of the onboard systems during and after calibration under temperature variations (rise and drop) has been confirmed. Taking into account the found parameters, affected by various temperature gradients, decreases the measurement error about twelve-fold, which makes it possible to ensure reliable operation of the attitude control and stabilization system of nanosatellites that include magnetometers.