Iota Technology Partners with AAC Clyde Space for Earth Magnetic Field Mission

Iota Technology Partners with AAC Clyde Space for Earth Magnetic Field Mission
by Sophie Jenkins
London, UK (SPX) Dec 13, 2023

AAC Clyde Space, a leader in small satellite technology, has recently been awarded a significant contract by Iota Technology to spearhead a pioneering satellite mission. This project, a key component of the MagQuest competition, aims to enhance our understanding of the Earth's magnetic field. The total value of the order is approximately GBP 1.94 million, translating to around SEK 25.5 million.

MagQuest, a multimillion-dollar initiative backed by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), focuses on developing advanced solutions for magnetic measurement, integral for the World Magnetic Model (WMM). The WMM, jointly produced by the NGA and the UK's Defence Geographic Centre, is essential for precise navigation and orientation, adjusting for variances between the Earth's geographic and magnetic poles. Its applications are extensive, ranging from smartphone technology to sophisticated military equipment.

Iota Technology, having distinguished itself as one of the three winners in MagQuest's payload segment in September 2023, is now set to embark on this satellite mission. Their innovative magnetometer payload will be central to the 4U EPIC satellite, which AAC Clyde Space is tasked to manufacture, launch, commission, and operate over a three-year period.

AAC Clyde Space CEO Luis Gomes expressed pride in the company's selection for this comprehensive space mission, emphasizing their proven capabilities in satellite design, manufacturing, launching, and operations. "With Iota Technology's novel payload, the mission holds the potential to greatly advance measuring the Earth's magnetic field for the benefit of users across the globe," Gomes stated.

Hugo Shelley, CEO of Iota Technology, mirrored this enthusiasm. "We are thrilled to be working with AAC Clyde Space to launch our first geomagnetic nanosatellite, Io-1. This mission will showcase a range of cutting-edge technologies that will allow us to accurately measure the Earth's magnetic field," Shelley said.

The strategic importance of the mission cannot be overstated. The World Magnetic Model, currently reliant on data from the European Space Agency's Swarm mission, is updated every five years to reflect changes in the Earth's magnetic field. The inclusion of new, innovative data from the MagQuest mission, particularly from the Io-1 satellite, promises to enhance the accuracy and reliability of the WMM.