The AMS Permanent Magnet stands as a beacon of durability and reliability, having already proven its mettle during the STS-91 flight. With a magnetic field intensity surpassing Earth’s own by a staggering 3,000 times, this robust magnet serves as a cornerstone of the AMS experiment.

How Does the Permanent Magnet Operate?

Crafted from Neodymium-Iron-Boron, the AMS Permanent Magnet boasts resilience and strength. Neodymium, despite its classification as a rare-earth element, is abundantly available and finds widespread application in everyday items, from toys to magnetic resonance instruments. Its ferromagnetic properties, characterized by countless microscopic magnets aligned in unison, contribute to the magnet’s formidable magnetic field.

Constructing the Permanent Magnet

The AMS Permanent Magnet takes the form of a cylindrical structure, measuring 1 meter in diameter and height. Comprising over 6,000 Neodymium-Iron-Boron blocks, each 2⨯2⨯1 inches³, this magnet exemplifies engineering precision. These blocks, fused together with protective epoxy, ensure durability and corrosion resistance, essential for space-bound applications.

Capable of generating a magnetic field of 0.15 T, the AMS Permanent Magnet undergoes rigorous testing to withstand mechanical stresses, including vibration and centrifugal forces. Its uniform field distribution along the X-axis ensures optimal performance within the AMS spectrometer.

The Enduring Promise of the Permanent Magnet

As the ISS’s operational lifespan extends into the 2020s, the Permanent Magnet emerges as an enticing solution for the AMS-02 spectrometer. Unlike its superconducting counterpart, which operates for a limited duration, the Permanent Magnet offers continuous functionality throughout the ISS’s lifetime. This longevity facilitates prolonged data collection, enhancing the instrument’s sensitivity to rare cosmic events.

To ensure the magnet’s ongoing stability, field measurements conducted in 1997 and reaffirmed in April 2010 attest to its unwavering consistency. Despite the passage of 13 years and exposure to the rigors of space travel, the magnet’s magnetic field remains unchanged within a remarkable 1% margin, affirming its enduring reliability and suitability for extended space missions.