Development and space qualification of the swarm Absolute Scalar Magnetometer

The Absolute Scalar Magnetometer will be flown on the three Swarm satellites to be launched by ESA in 2012. It will offer the best resolution and absolute accuracy ever attained in space. Since this instrument is essential to fulfill the project's scientific objectives, its reliability and availability have to be guaranteed over the lifetime of the four year mission. To achieve these ambitious goals, the instrument is at the cutting edge of technology. It implements an innovative fiber laser used for the optical pumping of a helium 4 gas cell located within a non magnetic rotating sensor. This led us to use specific parts, materials and processes which had to be previously space qualified. The success of the Proto-Flight Model qualification was a major achievement this year. The testing of the flight models is now in progress. This paper illustrates the long way to reach the required Technology Readiness Level starting from a concept which had already been validated on a prototype.