AAC Clyde Space has secured a significant order worth SEK 25.5 million (approx. GBP 1.94 million) for the MagQuest mission, a competition aimed at advancing the measurement of Earth’s magnetic field. The company has been chosen by Iota Technology to oversee the entire satellite mission, which involves launching a 4U EPIC satellite equipped with Iota Technology’s magnetometer payload. Over a period of three years, AAC Clyde Space will be responsible for manufacturing, launching, commissioning, and operating the satellite.
The MagQuest initiative, supported by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), seeks to develop innovative magnetic measurement solutions for the World Magnetic Model. In September 2023, Iota Technology emerged as one of the competition’s three winners in the payload segment, securing funding for their satellite mission.
This collaboration brings together the expertise and experience of AAC Clyde Space in designing and operating reliable satellite solutions with Iota Technology’s novel payload. The mission’s objective is to significantly enhance the measurement of Earth’s magnetic field for the benefit of users worldwide.
AAC Clyde Space CEO Luis Gomes expresses his pride in being selected for this end-to-end space mission solution and emphasizes the company’s track record in delivering reliable satellite solutions. CEO Hugo Shelley of Iota Technology is equally excited about the partnership, as it will enable the launch of their first geomagnetic nanosatellite, Io-1. Through this mission, Iota Technology aims to showcase cutting-edge technologies that can accurately measure the Earth’s magnetic field.
The World Magnetic Model (WMM), jointly developed by the NGA and the United Kingdom’s Defence Geographic Centre, plays a crucial role in accurate navigation and orientation by accounting for the difference between Earth’s geographic and magnetic poles. This model is embedded in numerous systems worldwide, ranging from smartphones to military equipment. Currently, the WMM relies on magnetic field measurements obtained from the European Space Agency’s Swarm mission.
By participating in the MagQuest mission, AAC Clyde Space and Iota Technology aim to contribute to the continuous improvement of the World Magnetic Model and enable accurate navigation and orientation systems for various applications. With their combined expertise, they are well-positioned to advance the measurement of Earth’s magnetic field, benefiting users across the globe.
This collaboration not only highlights the importance of space-based magnetic field measurements but also showcases the power of partnerships and technological advancements in shaping our understanding of Earth’s magnetic field. As the MagQuest mission progresses over the next three years, the impact of AAC Clyde Space and Iota Technology’s efforts will be closely monitored by the scientific and technological communities worldwide.
