Space magnetics: The mariner V magnetometer experiment

Abstract

The performance of a scientific magnetics experiment in space involves the selection, development, and calibration of an instrument capable of satisfying the requirements of the scientific objectives. Since stray magnetic fields produced by the spacecraft can be a source of measurement error, the design and magnetic testing of all the flight hardware are also factors in meeting scientific objectives. These considerations are discussed as embodied in the Mariner V effort. The relatively new and successful vector helium magnetometer used for Mariner IV (Mars 1964) and Mariner V (Venus 1967) will be described in the discussion. Also presented are the efforts to reduce the Mariner Spacecraft stray fields and the results of those efforts. Finally, a brief description of the special facilities used for testing and evaluation and a summary of the final experiment results will be given.