Determining an error budget for a low-cost method of vector magnetometer calibration using a variety of scalar magnetic references

Jessica Mondoskin; Matthew G. Finley; Katya Sanamyan; Miguel Martinez-Ledesma; Andrew Mentges; Alex P. Hoffmann; Hyunju Connor; David M. Miles

doi:10.3389/fspas.2026.1760927

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Determining an error budget for a low-cost method of vector magnetometer calibration using a variety of scalar magnetic references

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Determining an error budget for a low-cost method of vector magnetometer calibration using a variety of scalar magnetic references

Jessica Mondoskin, Matthew G. Finley, Katya Sanamyan, Miguel Martinez-Ledesma, Andrew Mentges, Alex P. Hoffmann, Hyunju Connor and David M. Miles

Frontiers in astronomy and space sciences, Vol.13, 1760927

07/09/2026

DOI: 10.3389/fspas.2026.1760927

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Abstract

Triaxial magnetometers are a critical tool used to determine how mass, momentum, and energy are coupled through near-Earth space by various geophysical phenomena. These magnetic field sensors can be deployed on spacecraft orbiting the Earth or other planetary bodies, on suborbital sounding rockets that rapidly traverse through active aurora, or at remote ground stations built to withstand adverse conditions. Increasingly, however, low-cost versions of these sensors are being deployed at universities, high schools, and urban backyards as educational, outreach, or citizen science opportunities. These sensors provide an opportunity for low-cost access to science, where such opportunities may otherwise be inaccessible or sparse. For effective and accurate use, these magnetometers must first be calibrated, a process which can be both costly and complex. A low-cost methodology for calibration would provide the community at large with greater opportunities to use magnetometers. This manuscript presents analysis of the error associated with a low-cost method of ground-based magnetometer calibration using scalar references at a variety of price points, enabling greater potential scientific return from low-cost sensors and applications. The following tests will show how this low-cost calibration can achieve similar performance levels of high-precision calibration facilities (i.e., <0.3% error in one case).

citizen science

education

low-cost analysis

magnetic sensing

magnetometer calibration

triaxial magnetometer

Details

Title: Subtitle: Determining an error budget for a low-cost method of vector magnetometer calibration using a variety of scalar magnetic references
Creators: Jessica Mondoskin - University of Iowa
Matthew G. Finley - University of Iowa
Katya Sanamyan - Goddard Space Flight Center
Miguel Martinez-Ledesma - Catholic University of America
Andrew Mentges - Goddard Space Flight Center
Alex P. Hoffmann - Goddard Space Flight Center
Hyunju Connor - Goddard Space Flight Center
David M. Miles - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Frontiers in astronomy and space sciences, Vol.13, 1760927
DOI: 10.3389/fspas.2026.1760927
ISSN: 2296-987X
eISSN: 2296-987X
Publisher: Frontiers Media
Grant note: National Aeronautics and Space Administration: 80NSSC19K049, 80GSFC18C0008
The author(s) declared that financial support was received for this work and/or its publication. This work was supported in part by NASA grants 80NSSC19K049 and 80GSFC18C0008. H.K. Conner was supported by the NASA H-TMS, H-USPI, and H-ISFM programs.
Language: English
Date published: 07/09/2026
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy
Record Identifier: 9985183418702771

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