Vector Magnetometry Using Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems: An Example of Application for Planetary Exploration

Abstract

Geomagnetic prospection is an efficient and environmentally friendly geophysical method for the analysis of the magnetic minerals’ distribution in the subsurface. High-resolution measurements require on-ground campaigns. However, these activities might imply high costs, risk and time consumption. Some more recent works have started to use magnetometers on-board remote piloted aircrafts. Normally, they fly at a constant altitude and use scalar probes. This configuration permits the determination of the magnitude of the magnetic field but not the direction, and requires advanced techniques for in-depth interpretation of the sources. In this manuscript, we describe the accommodation of a system for vector magnetometry in a drone whose flight altitude follows the elevation of the terrain. This singularity improves the capability of interpretation, including constraints in dating due to the record of the geomagnetic field. The work consists of the design, development and implementation of a solidary payload system anchored to the body of the platform in order to determine the vector magnetic field. It describes the details of the system and the performance characteristics obtained after the calibration, as well as its demonstration via a field campaign in the spatter deposits of Cerro Gordo volcano in Campos de Calatrava volcanic province in Spain.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Magnetic Surveys: A Review on Platform Selection and Interference Suppression

“…Romero et al [95] described the accommodation of a UAV-vector magnetometry system with the function of terrain-following. Related work consists of the design, development and implementation of a solidary payload system anchored to the platform to determine the vector magnetic field.…”

“…Additionally, this method is not suitable for fixed-wing UAVs, considering their high flight speed and altitude. [84] Eight-rotor 1.1 Rigidly mounted at the front of the UAV with an aluminum bar Parshin et al [114] Six-rotor 3 Suspended below the UAV with a cable Malehmir et al [85] Eight-rotor 3 Tied below the UAV with a cable Cunningham et al [86] Eight-rotor 3.6 Rigidly mounted at the front of the UAV Cherkasov and Kapshtan [104] Quadrotor 20 Towed below the UAV with a long rope Walter et al [42] Six-rotor 3 Semi-rigid suspended below the UAV Schmidt et al [41] Eight-rotor 3 Attached to the UAV via long ropes de Smet et al [93] Six-rotor 4 Towed below the UAV with a long rope Yoo Lee-Sun et al [100] Eight-rotor 1.2 Towed below the landing pole with a cable Shahsavani [101] Quadrotor 3 Towed below the UAV with two ropes Kim et al [102] Eight-rotor 3 Towed below the UAV with four ropes Romero et al [95] Six-rotor 1.2 Rigidly attached to the UAV with a rigid boom Pisciotta et al [98] Quadrotor 4 Suspended below the UAV with a long wire Petzke et al [105] Airship~4 Towed below the UAV with a long boom Wang et al [106] Airship 3.5 Rigidly attached to the UAV frame with a carbon fiber rod…”