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Magnetometer Boom successfully deployed on Aditya-L1: ISRO
The 6m magnetometer boom, previously stowed for 132 days, is now successfully deployed in the Halo orbit.
The observed in-orbit deployment time was approximately 9 seconds, ISRO announced. / (Photo: X/@ISRO)
India’s Solar Mission, Aditya-L1 has achieved another milestone by deploying a 6-meter magnetometer boom in its Halo orbit at Lagrange point L-1.
The device contains two high-accuracy fluxgate magnetometer sensors, that measure the low intensity interplanetary magnetic field in space. The sensors are placed three and six meters apart from the spacecraft's main body.
The boom's deployment will minimize the impact of the spacecraft's magnetic field on measurements and aid in precise estimation, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said in a statement. The cancellation of the spacecraft's magnetic influence is made easier by the dual-sensor system.
Aditya-L1 Mission:
— ISRO (@isro) January 25, 2024
The 6m magnetometer boom, previously stowed for 132 days, is now successfully deployed in the Halo orbit.
The boom houses two fluxgate magnetometers that measure the interplanetary magnetic field in space.
Details: https://t.co/ZrSKAVu1z4 pic.twitter.com/Xq4LmwBhwE
The carbon fiber-reinforced polymer boom segments act as interfaces between the mechanism elements and the sensor mounting. The five parts of the articulated boom mechanism are joined by hinge mechanisms that are powered by springs, enabling folding and deploying functions. A unique, patented Kevlar closed control loop system governs the accordion-style deployment, which is secured by hinges that lock the segments into position.
Launch loads are transferred to the spacecraft body when the boom is stowed because two hold-downs are firmly holding it in place. A thermal cutter-based release mechanism controls the boom deployment. Dates obtained via the telemetry switches verify the release of the hold-down, the initial motion, and the locking of every hinge.
The in-orbit deployment period that was measured was roughly 9 seconds, which is well within the 8–12-second prediction range. For both hold-down release and hinge locking, all telemetry indicators fell within the expected range.
India’s maiden solar mission Aditya-L1 reached the L1 point, located around 1.5 million km from Earth on January 6, 127 days after it was launched on September 2, 2023.
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