Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility

The Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, United States, was built in 1966 to allow the evaluation of magnetic movement in spacecraft. The building is constructed on non-magnetic materials and contains a magnetic coil system that allows the cancellation of the Earth's magnetic field. This unique building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1985.

The 60 ft square building contains a 42 ft diameter 3-axis Braunbek coil with four loops on each axis. The coil cancels the Earth's magnetic field within a central 6 ft spherical volume. Fluctuations in the ambient field are removed by a servo control, producing stability to half a nanotesla. An artificial magnetic vector can be produced and rotated at a variable rate. 9.42 ft Helmholtz coils are used for perm/deperm operations. A 6000 lb monorail hoist is provided for equipment handling. HEPA filtration and air conditioning are provided.

The facility is used to determine and minimize the magnetic movement of unmanned spacecraft and to calibrate flight magnetometers.