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Coordinates: 39°0′24″N 76°49′31″W / 39.00667°N 76.82528°W / 39.00667; -76.82528
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{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
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{{Infobox_nrhp | name =Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility
{{Infobox NRHP
| nrhp_type = nhl
| image = Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility.jpg
| name = Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility
| caption =
| nrhp_type = nhl
⚫
| image = Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility.jpg
⚫
| location= Good Luck Road, [[Greenbelt, Maryland]]
| lat_degrees = 39
| caption =
⚫
| location= Good Luck Road, [[Greenbelt, Maryland]]
| lat_minutes = 0
| coordinates = {{coord|39|0|24|N|76|49|31|W|display=inline,title}}
| lat_seconds = 24
⚫
| locmapin = Maryland#USA
| lat_direction = N
⚫
| area =
| long_degrees = 76
| long_minutes = 49
| built = 1966
| long_seconds = 31
| architect = NASA
⚫
| architecture =
| long_direction = W
⚫
| designated_nrhp_type = October 3, 1985<ref name="nhlsum">{{cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1928&ResourceType=Structure
⚫
| locmapin = Maryland
⚫
| title=Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility |accessdate=2008-06-17|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>
⚫
| area =
| added = October 3, 1985<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2008a}}</ref>
| built =1966
⚫
| refnum = 85002811
| architect= NASA
⚫
| architecture= No Style Listed
⚫
| designated = October 3, 1985<ref name="nhlsum">{{cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1928&ResourceType=Structure
⚫
|title=Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility |accessdate=2008-06-17|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>
| added = October 3, 1985<ref name="nris">{{cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2008-04-15|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>
| governing_body = NATIONAL AERONAUTICS & SPACE ADMINISTRATION
⚫
| refnum=85002811
}}
}}
The '''Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility''' at the [[Goddard Space Flight Center]] in [[Greenbelt, Maryland]] 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 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marylandhistoricaltrust.net/nr/NRDetail.aspx?HDID=941&FROM=NRNHLList.aspx|title=Maryland Historical Trust|date=2008-06-12|work= National Register of Historic Places:
Properties in Prince George's County|publisher=Maryland Historical Trust}}</ref>.


The {{convert|60|ft|m|adj=on}} square building contains a {{convert|42|ft|m|adj=on}} diameter 3-axis Braunbek coil with four loops on each axis. The coil cancels the [[Earth's magnetic field]] within a central {{convert|6|ft|m|adj=on}} 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. {{convert|9.42|ft|m|adj=on}} [[Helmholtz coil]]s are used for perm/[[deperming|deperm]] operations. A {{convert|6000|lb|kg|adj=on}} monorail hoist is provided for equipment handling. [[HEPA]] filtration and air conditioning are provided.<ref name="nrhpinv">{{cite web|url=http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NHLS/Text/85002811.pdf|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form: Attitude Control Test Facility|last=Butowsky|first=Harry A.|date=May 15, 1984|publisher=National Park Service|accessdate=2009-04-02}}</ref>
The '''Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility''', also known historically as the '''Attitude Control Test Facility''', is an experimental spacecraft test facility at the [[Goddard Space Flight Center]] in [[Greenbelt, Maryland]], [[United States]]. It was built in 1966 to allow the evaluation of magnetic movement in crewed and uncrewed [[spacecraft]], and for the precision calibration of magnetometers used in space flight. The building is constructed of 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.<ref>{{cite web|url={{MHT url|id=941}}|title=Maryland Historical Trust|date=2008-06-12|work= National Register of Historic Places: Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility|publisher=Maryland Historical Trust}}</ref><ref name="nrhpinv">{{cite web|url={{NHLS url|id=85002811}}|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form: Attitude Control Test Facility|last=Butowsky|first=Harry A.|date=May 15, 1984|publisher=National Park Service|accessdate=2009-04-02}}</ref>


The facility is currently managed by the Goddard Mechanical Systems Division.
The facility is used to determine and minimize the magnetic movement of unmanned spacecraft and to calibrate flight [[magnetometer]]s.

==Description and history==
The Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility is located about {{convert|2|mi|km}} east of the main campus of the Goddard Space Flight Center, in Building 310-20 on the north side of Good Luck Road. The building is a single-story structure, {{convert|60|ft|m}} square, and is built entirely out of nonmagnetic materials. The building contains a {{convert|42|ft|m|adj=on}} diameter 3-axis Braunbek coil with four loops on each axis. The coil cancels the [[Earth's magnetic field]] within a central {{convert|6|ft|m|adj=on}} 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. {{convert|9.42|ft|m|adj=on}} [[Helmholtz coil]]s are used for perm/[[deperming|deperm]] operations. A {{convert|6000|lb|kg|adj=on}} monorail hoist is provided to move equipment in and out of the test area. [[HEPA]] filtration and air conditioning are provided. A turntable {{convert|8|ft|m}} in diameter within the chamber is used for precision placement of the test object.<ref name="nrhpinv"/>

The facility was built in 1966, and has been used to determine and minimize the magnetic movement of uncrewed spacecraft and to calibrate flight [[magnetometer]]s since the early years of the United States space program. It is able to (within certain limits) emulate the magnetic conditions found in orbital and interstellar space. It saw significant use until the 1990s. Its instruments are also capable of profiling the magnetic characteristics of the test objects. The facility's main difficulties have been with deteriorating current amplifiers, with replacements made in the 1970s and 1980s altering its performance characteristics.<ref name=rest>{{cite web|url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20050071098.pdf|title=Goddard Space Flight Center Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility Restoration Project|date=January 2004 |publisher=NASA Goddard|accessdate=2017-04-03 |last1=Vernier |first1=Robert |last2=Bonalksy |first2=Todd |last3=Slavin |first3=James }}</ref>

[[File:GoddardMagTestFacility2019.jpg|thumb]]

==See also==
⚫
*[[List of National Historic Landmarks in Maryland]]
⚫
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Prince George's County, Maryland]]


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility}}
⚫
*[http://www.marylandhistoricaltrust.net/nr/NRDetail.aspx?HDID=941&FROM=NRNHLList.aspx Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility, Prince George's County], including photo in 1985, at Maryland Historical Trust
*[https://aetd.gsfc.nasa.gov/540/facilities.php Goddard Mechanical Systems Division facilities]
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*{{MHT url|id=941|title=Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility, Prince George's County}}, including photo in 1985, at Maryland Historical Trust


{{Registered Historic Places}}
{{National Register of Historic Places in Maryland}}
{{GSFC}}


{{authority control}}
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[[Category:National Historic Landmarks in Maryland]]
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[[Category:NASA facilities]]
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[[Category:Prince George's County, Maryland]]


[[Category:National Historic Landmarks in Maryland]]
{{Maryland-NRHP-stub}}
[[Category:Government buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Maryland]]
[[Category:Goddard Space Flight Center]]
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[[Category:Greenbelt, Maryland]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Prince George's County, Maryland]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Prince George's County, Maryland]]

Latest revision as of 18:09, 17 May 2024

Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility
Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility is located in Maryland
Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility
Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility is located in the United States
Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility
LocationGood Luck Road, Greenbelt, Maryland
Coordinates39°0′24″N 76°49′31″W / 39.00667°N 76.82528°W / 39.00667; -76.82528
Built1966
ArchitectNASA
NRHP reference No.85002811
Significant dates
Added to NRHPOctober 3, 1985[1]
Designated NHLOctober 3, 1985[2]

The Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility, also known historically as the Attitude Control Test Facility, is an experimental spacecraft test facility at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, United States. It was built in 1966 to allow the evaluation of magnetic movement in crewed and uncrewed spacecraft, and for the precision calibration of magnetometers used in space flight. The building is constructed of 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.[3][4]

The facility is currently managed by the Goddard Mechanical Systems Division.

Description and history

[edit]

The Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility is located about 2 miles (3.2 km) east of the main campus of the Goddard Space Flight Center, in Building 310-20 on the north side of Good Luck Road. The building is a single-story structure, 60 feet (18 m) square, and is built entirely out of nonmagnetic materials. The building contains a 42-foot (13 m) diameter 3-axis Braunbek coil with four loops on each axis. The coil cancels the Earth's magnetic field within a central 6-foot (1.8 m) 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-foot (2.87 m) Helmholtz coils are used for perm/deperm operations. A 6,000-pound (2,700 kg) monorail hoist is provided to move equipment in and out of the test area. HEPA filtration and air conditioning are provided. A turntable 8 feet (2.4 m) in diameter within the chamber is used for precision placement of the test object.[4]

The facility was built in 1966, and has been used to determine and minimize the magnetic movement of uncrewed spacecraft and to calibrate flight magnetometers since the early years of the United States space program. It is able to (within certain limits) emulate the magnetic conditions found in orbital and interstellar space. It saw significant use until the 1990s. Its instruments are also capable of profiling the magnetic characteristics of the test objects. The facility's main difficulties have been with deteriorating current amplifiers, with replacements made in the 1970s and 1980s altering its performance characteristics.[5]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  2. ^ "Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved June 17, 2008.
  3. ^ "Maryland Historical Trust". National Register of Historic Places: Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility. Maryland Historical Trust. June 12, 2008.
  4. ^ a b Butowsky, Harry A. (May 15, 1984). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form: Attitude Control Test Facility". National Park Service. Retrieved April 2, 2009.
  5. ^ Vernier, Robert; Bonalksy, Todd; Slavin, James (January 2004). "Goddard Space Flight Center Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility Restoration Project" (PDF). NASA Goddard. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
[edit]
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