Technical characteristics of Macau Science Satellite-1A

Abstract

The Macau Science Satellite-1 (MSS-1) is the first space science satellite jointly developed on the Chinese mainland and in Macau. It comprises two satellites, named MSS-1A and MSS-1B, and holds considerable importance in China’s space exploration endeavors. Among these, MSS-1A is the world’s first high-precision scientific satellite dedicated to exploring the geomagnetic field and space environment at low latitudes. Equipped with two high-precision vector magnetometers and one scalar magnetometer, which are integrally installed on a highly stable nonmagnetic optical bench, the MSS-1A enables simultaneous high-precision measurements of both the Earth’s vector magnetic field and its scalar components. Its design integrates several state-of-the-art technologies, including arc-second-level thermal stability control, nonmagnetic thermal control for the optical bench, and ultra-high magnetic cleanliness control. These innovations effectively minimize magnetic interference originating from the satellite itself, thereby substantially improving the precision of geomagnetic field measurements and establishing a robust technical foundation for future magnetic survey satellite constellations.

Keywords

• macau science satellite-1
• system design
• geomagnetic field observation
• optical bench
• magnetic cleanliness control