1996: Instrument that combined two fluxgate magnetometers and a 3D electron spectrometer. Part of the Russian Mars-96.
The MARtian Electrons and Magnetic Field (MAREMF) instrument combined two fluxgate magnetometers (MAREMF-OS and MAREMF-IS) and a 3D electron spectrometer (MAREMF-ES). The goal of the instrument was the measurement of the magnetic field vector and the 3D distribution of electrons and ions in the plasma environment of Mars and in the solar wind.
Mars-96 was launched in November 1996. The mission failed half an hour after launch due to a rocket problem. BIRA-IASB’s Engineering service developed the Data Processing Unit (DPU) and the necessary software for MAREMF-ES.
Launch: November 16, 1996
MAREMF installed on board the MARS-96 spacecraft
Magnetic field experiments play an important role in the investigation of interplanetary space, the interaction of the solar wind with planets, moons, asteroids and comets and in the exploration of the surface and interior of bodies in the solar system.
The combined experiment MARtian Electrons and Magnetic Field (MAREMF) aboard the Russian spacecraft MARS-96 consisted of two fluxgate magnetometers, MAREMF-OS and MAREMF-IS, assembled in one electronics box, and a 3D electron spectrometer, MAREMF-ES.
MAREMF block diagram (BIRA-IASB part = DPU for MAREMF-ES)
Because of rocket failure, the mission failed half an hour after launch in November 1996.
The main scientific objective of the experiment was the investigation of the magnetic field vector in the solar wind and in the plasma environment of Mars with high accuracy, reliability and time resolution. An essential point of interest hereby, was the question of the existence of an intrinsic magnetic field on planet Mars.
MAREMF-IS and MAREMF-OS
In general, stray magnetic fields from the spacecraft and temperature dependency of the instrument are two main problems of space-borne magnetometers. Ground-based magnetic cleanliness tests and the dual sensor technique, which were used for the MAREMF experiment, are essential for solving the stray field problem.
MAREMF-ES electronic box (developed and manufactured by BIRA-IASB) (BIRA-IASB museum)
During space missions, scientific sensors are usually exposed to extreme temperature conditions. This is why a special temperature test facility for magnetic field sensors was constructed in Austria for testing the MAREMF instrument. It allowed all basic tests and calibration measurements between -150 °C and +150 °C.
Schematic overview of the Mars-96 spacecraft
