Design of laboratory geomagnetic field simulator to test attitude control algorithms for microsatellites

Simulation of the geomagnetic field is suggested to be done by three pairs of current coils. Characteristics of the simulating magnetic field are determined for two cases of the mock-up’s center of mass location - above and lower hing. The practically unreasonableness of the first case is shown. In the second case the electric parameters of the coils are calculated. The electronic device requirements controlling the currents in the coils are formulated. It is proposed the design of magnetic field simulator. According to the design the experimental model is build. The equations of the motion of the body suspended by a string are derived and used for computing.