The Solar Orbiter spacecraft in the IABG magnetic field simulation facility in Ottobrunn, Germany. The facility is located just outside the premises in a nearby forest to avoid interference with human-generated magnetic fields. The facility consists entirely of non-magnetic materials like wood, and contains twelve 15 meter coils—nearly as large as the building—to create a homogeneous magnetic environment that cancels out Earth’s own magnetic field, simulating outer space conditions.
Tests performed there in June 2019 verified the magnetic behaviour of the unpowered spacecraft, to make sure the magnetic field of Solar Orbiter is low enough that the Magnetometer (MAG) instrument can operate in its most sensitive range.
Image Credit: ESA/S. Corvaja