This long, hinged magnetometer boom extended from one of the octagonal sides of the spacecraft body. The magnetic field experiment carried out by Mariner 10 consisted of two 3-axis sensors located at different positions along a 5.8-m (20-ft) boom extending from one of the octagonal sides of the body. Two sensors carried on the boom were biaxial fluxgate magnetometers. Their purpose was to permit the simultaneous measurement of the magnetic field, which is the sum of the weak magnetic field in space (and near the planets) and the magnetic field of the spacecraft itself.
NASA's Jet Propulsion manufactured and transferred this artifact to the Musuem in 1982.
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed-Instruments & Payloads
Manufacturer
NASA - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Dimensions
5.8m long
Materials
Aluminum, Aluminized Kapton, Synthetic Fabric, Steel, Plastic
Inventory Number
A19830006006
Credit Line
Transferred from NASA - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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