Design and test of the optical fiber assemblies for the scalar magnetic field sensor aboard the JUICE mission

Abstract

A set of optical fiber assemblies has been developed and successfully qualified for its use on a European space science mission to the icy moons of Jupiter (Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, JUICE), to be launched in 2022. The paper gives an overview of the design challenges, the test methods used for failure detection and screening of the optical fiber cable assemblies as well as the further testing performed in the frame of a lot acceptance qualification.

Fiber Optic Sensing in Spacecraft Engineering: An Historical Perspective From the European Space Agency

“…The difference between these two main categories is that in extrinsic sensors the fiber merely acts as a means of delivering the optical signal to and from where the sensing is to be performed, whereas in the case of intrinsic sensing the fiber is both the means for delivering the signal and the sensor itself. An example of extrinsic sensing would be the case of an optical magnetometer as will be used on the ESA's Juice mission [7]. In this sensitive payload a fiber optic harness is used to transfer a modulated laser signal to a gas cell where the scalar magnetic field is measured through a change in the optical intensity of light coupled into a return optical fiber.…”

Experimental and Theoretical Investigations on the Modulation Capabilities of Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser Diodes for Atomic Vapour Applications

“…For space missions, a compact instrument is built which includes an electronics box, a sensor unit and optical fibres. The CDSM's sensor unit is built around a spectroscopic glass cell filled with 87 Rb and neon as buffer gas [5,18]. Optical fibres guide the laser light from the laser diode to the sensor unit and back to the photodiode.…”