The TRACERS Fluxgate Magnetometer (MAG)

Robert J. Strangeway; Hao Cao; Eric Orrill; Ryan P. Caron; David Pierce; Ryan Seaton; Henry H. Gonzalez; Enrique Gurrola; William Greer; David Leneman; Michael J. Lawson; Vicente Capistrano; Dean Bushong; Jianxin Chen; Cynthia L. Russell; Jiashu Wu; David M. Miles; Craig A. Kletzing

doi:10.1007/s11214-025-01212-3

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The TRACERS Fluxgate Magnetometer (MAG)

Robert J. Strangeway, Hao Cao, Eric Orrill, Ryan P. Caron, David Pierce, Ryan Seaton, Henry H. Gonzalez, Enrique Gurrola, William Greer, David Leneman, …

Space science reviews, Vol.221(6), 84

09/12/2025

DOI: 10.1007/s11214-025-01212-3

PMCID: PMC12431926

PMID: 40949498

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Abstract

The NASA Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites (TRACERS) mission is a two-spacecraft mission designed to explore the temporal and spatial signatures of magnetic reconnection as observed at the low altitude dayside cusp. The instrumentation on each TRACERS spacecraft includes a three-axis vector fluxgate magnetometer (MAG). The MAG sensor design heritage is from Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS), while the electronics heritage is from the InSight mission to Mars. Testing as part of the MAG instrument delivery verified that the MAG dynamic range exceeded ±60,000 nT with a resolution of ∼9 pT to provide margin. The fluxgate magnetometers have been calibrated on the ground, but as is typical for fluxgates they will be re-calibrated using on-orbit data. The TRACERS spacecraft are spinning spacecraft in an orbit at 590 km altitude. Absolute gains, orientation, and spin-axis offsets will be determined through comparison with the International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF) with an underlying orbit-period cadence. Additionally, spin-tones allow determination of relative angular orientation and gain and spin-plane offsets at spin-period temporal resolution. To meet the TRACERS mission science objectives MAG will measure magnetic field perturbations from large scale field-aligned currents, and shorter scale Alfvén waves. The electromagnetic energy flux associated with these magnetic field perturbations has major impacts on particle acceleration along the flux tube and ionospheric heating through Joule dissipation. This conversion from electromagnetic to particle energy is a primary driver for the escape of ionospheric plasma into the magnetosphere, making this an important secondary science objective for the TRACERS mission.

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Planetology

Aerospace Technology and Astronautics

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Astrophysics and Astroparticles

Physics and Astronomy

Space Exploration and Astronautics

Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics

Details

Title: Subtitle: The TRACERS Fluxgate Magnetometer (MAG)
Creators: Robert J. Strangeway - University of California, Los Angeles
Hao Cao - University of California, Los Angeles
Eric Orrill - Timoneer Aerospace LLC
Ryan P. Caron - University of California, Los Angeles
David Pierce - AVARA Magnetics LLC
Ryan Seaton - University of California, Los Angeles
Henry H. Gonzalez - University of California, Los Angeles
Enrique Gurrola - University of California, Los Angeles
William Greer - University of California, Los Angeles
David Leneman - University of California, Los Angeles
Michael J. Lawson - Blue Origin
Vicente Capistrano - University of California, Los Angeles
Dean Bushong - Orbiting Engineers
Jianxin Chen - Baja Technology LLC
Cynthia L. Russell - University of California, Los Angeles
Jiashu Wu - University of California, Los Angeles
David M. Miles - University of Iowa
Craig A. Kletzing - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Space science reviews, Vol.221(6), 84
DOI: 10.1007/s11214-025-01212-3
PMID: 40949498
PMCID: PMC12431926
NLM abbreviation: Space Sci Rev
ISSN: 0038-6308
eISSN: 1572-9672
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Grant note: 80GSFC18C0008 / Goddard Space Flight Center (http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100006198)
Language: English
Date published: 09/12/2025
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy
Record Identifier: 9984962540202771

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