# Satellite magnetometry
*sensing . methodologies*

Measures Earth's geomagnetic field from orbit using vector and absolute-scalar magnetometers together, as in the Swarm mission class.

## Specifications
- **family**: Magnetometry
- **requirements envelope**: {"kind":"temporal","time_series_length_min":12}
- **entity type**: methodology
- **last verified date**: 2026-06-08
- **verified by**: agency-doc
- **claim status**: agency-sourced
- **subtype**: sensing
- **attributes**: {"family":"Magnetometry","summary":"Measures Earth's geomagnetic field from orbit using vector and absolute-scalar magnetometers together, as in the Swarm mission class.","requirements_envelope":"{\"kind\":\"temporal\",\"time_series_length_min\":12}","kind":"sensing"}
- **technology**: magnetometry
- **relevance**: in-scope

## Editorial
Satellite magnetometry measures the geomagnetic field rather than reflected or emitted radiation. A vector magnetometer records field components while an absolute scalar magnetometer stabilises and calibrates the field magnitude; together they form one orbital field-measurement method. The method supports separation of core, lithospheric, and external magnetic-field contributions. For mineral exploration it is a context layer for lithospheric magnetic anomalies and crustal structure, not a direct mineral-identification method and not a separate mineral-specific methodology.

## Sources
- [esa-swarm-mission] | Swarm mission, ESA Earth Online | https://earth.esa.int/eogateway/missions/swarm | tier=agency-doc | accessed=2026-06-08
  Swarm mission overview: constellation, VFM/ASM instruments, orbit configuration, and magnetic-field science objectives.
- [esa-swarm-sensors] | Swarm new generation of sensors, ESA | https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/Swarm/New_generation_of_sensors | tier=agency-doc | accessed=2026-06-08
  Describes Absolute Scalar Magnetometer and Vector Field Magnetometer roles, including scalar calibration of the vector magnetometer.
- [swarm-chaos] | A Comprehensive Model of Earth's Magnetic Field Determined from 4 Years of Swarm Observations | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6425495/ | tier=peer-reviewed | accessed=2026-06-08
  Peer-reviewed CHAOS model paper using Swarm observations to separate core, lithospheric, and external magnetic-field contributions.

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Source: https://eo-atlas.org/methodologies/satellite-magnetometry
Maintainer: SpectraWorks B.V. (CC-BY 4.0)