One of the key experiments of the Cluster mission is the FGM (Flux-Gate Magnetometer), which is developed and built by a consortium under the lead of Imperial College London (ICL). The magnetometer consists of two three-axial sensors and associated electronic box. The sensors are mounted on a boom stretching out from the satellite while the electronic box is installed on the main platform. The Analogue-to-Digital Converter, which is part of the electronic unit, was developed and built in Graz (see left-hand picture). In addition, the Graz team participated in the magnetometer calibration and spacecraft magnetic cleanliness programs.
The Cluster data analysis focuses on the dynamics of the magnetotail and magnetic reconnection. Data are compared also with ground magnetometer measurements (CHIMAG) and Double Star magnetic field measurement (DSP-FGM). A complete description of the experiment with all international team members can be found at Imperial College.
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