NGA launches 3 CubeSats to test improvements in geomagnetic data collection
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National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency launches three CubeSats to improve geomagnetic data collection.
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The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency launched three CubeSats into low-Earth orbit Monday via SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base to test new methods for collecting geomagnetic data for the World Magnetic Model. Each satellite, developed by the University of Colorado-Boulder, Spire Global with SBQuantum, and Iota Technologies, carries different magnetometer technology—including a novel diamond quantum magnetometer—to improve upon data currently collected by the European Space Agency's Swarm satellites since 2013. The CubeSats are the first nanosatellites capable of collecting geomagnetic data on orbit and will demonstrate whether small, affordable satellites can deliver high-quality magnetic field measurements for military navigation, commercial airlines, and smartphone GPS systems. NGA will compare the three platforms' findings against the 2025 World Magnetic Model update and use the results to shape its acquisition strategy for future geomagnetic collection to support the next global model update in 2030.
What's Being Done
Three CubeSats equipped with new capabilities launched to test geomagnetic data collection methods.
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