Magson

What Magson does

Magson GmbH is a Berlin-based manufacturer of high-performance magnetic field measurement instruments, specializing in digital fluxgate magnetometers for terrestrial and space applications. The company's core technology is a tri-axial fluxgate magnetometer using vector-compensated ringcore sensors with field-proportional feedback current compensation, achieving noise levels below 15 pT/√Hz at 1 Hz and offset drift under 3 nT/year. Downstream digital signal processing is implemented on FPGAs (primarily Microsemi anti-fuse or flash devices), with near-sensor analog-to-digital conversion for robustness against electromagnetic disturbances. The portfolio spans standard, science, attitude control, ship-board, tow fish, ocean bottom, and gradiometer magnetometers, plus a LINUX-based data logger for fast E-field measurements, and is complemented by custom electronics development, FPGA design, PCB layout and manufacturing, and space qualification services.

The company serves space agencies (ESA, DLR, NASA, JAXA, LAPAN), research institutions (TU Braunschweig, IWF Graz, GEOMAR, Imperial College London, MPE, BGR, Ben-Gurion University, ESTEC), and commercial space operators (OHB System AG). Magson has contributed space-flight electronics to 13 launched satellite projects and 20 instruments/subunits since 1997, including JUICE, Mars InSight HP3, Hayabusa 2 MASCOT, BepiColombo, EnMAP, GEO-KOMPSAT 2A, Venus Express, Rosetta Lander, and the Beesat constellation. Customer segments span space science and exploration, geophysics and Earth science research, marine and ocean research, and spacecraft testing and qualification.

Magson operates a consultative enterprise field sales model with each instrument customized to customer technical specifications and supported by quote-based pricing that is not publicly disclosed. Revenue is generated through hardware sales (configured magnetometers and data loggers), rental of standard magnetometers, and professional services including FPGA/PCB development and space qualification testing. Distribution is direct and global from a single headquarters in Berlin-Adlershof (Carl-Scheele-Str. 14, 12489 Berlin), with 11–50 employees and founder/management ownership under legal representative Olaf Hillenmaier.

Name

Magson

Legal name

Magson GmbH

Website

https://magson.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Magson GmbH is a Berlin-based manufacturer of high-performance digital fluxgate magnetometers serving space agencies (ESA, NASA, DLR, JAXA), research institutions, and commercial space operators. The company supplies space-qualified and terrestrial magnetometers, data loggers, and custom electronics development services with 20+ years of space-flight heritage.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scientific Instrumentation - Magnetic Field Measurement

NAICS

Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Electronic Coils, Transformers & Other Inductors (3677)

akta.pro primary industry

Magnetic Sensors (Hall/Magnetoresistive/Compass) (HDAHALAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Metrology & Dimensional Measurement (CMMs, laser trackers, gauges, surface/roughness) (IMAGAFAD)

Keywords

• Fluxgate magnetometers
• Magnetic field measurement
• Space-qualified instruments
• Geomagnetic survey equipment
• Attitude control sensors

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Fluxgate Magnetometer Sales: Sale of high-performance magnetic field measurement instruments including standard tri-axial fluxgate magnetometers, science magnetometers, attitude control magnetometers, and gradiometers. Devices are available in single or dual sensor configurations with configurable components ranging from industrial-grade to space-qualified.
2. Data Logger Sales: Sale of LINUX-based data loggers primarily developed for fast E-field measurements on sea floor, capable of low voltage measurements up to 10 kHz on 3 channels. Optional atomic clock for time-synchronous measurements.
3. Electronics Development Services: Custom electronics development services including FPGA design, PCB layout and manufacturing, instrument testing and qualification. Services cover requirements specification, prototyping and verification with focus on robustness, performance and cost.
4. Space Qualification Services: Instrument space-qualification campaigns including thermal vacuum, vibration, shock, and magnetic compatibility testing through partner collaboration.
5. Magnetometer Rental: Standard fluxgate magnetometer units available for rent for terrestrial applications.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Magson manufactures high-performance digital fluxgate magnetometers for terrestrial and space applications from its facility in Berlin-Adlershof. Core offerings include tri-axial fluxgate magnetometers, space-qualified science magnetometers, attitude control magnetometers, marine variants (ship-board, tow fish, ocean bottom), gradiometers, and LINUX-based data loggers. The company also provides electronics development, FPGA design, PCB layout/manufacturing, and space-qualification testing services.

Product overview

Magson manufactures high-performance magnetic field measurement instruments, primarily digital fluxgate magnetometers, for terrestrial and space applications. The product portfolio centers on tri-axial fluxgate magnetometers (Standard, with LINUX Controller) and data loggers as core instruments. Space applications are served by Science Magnetometers and Attitude Control Magnetometers (ACM). Terrestrial/marine products include Ship-Board Magnetometers, Tow Fish Magnetometers, Ocean Bottom Magnetometers, and Gradiometers (MFG-2S). The portfolio is complemented by electronics development, FPGA design, and test/qualification services. Products feature vector-compensated ringcore sensors with digital signal processing electronics, configurable for industrial-grade or space-qualified components.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Standard Fluxgate Magnetometer Tri-axial fluxgate magnetometer offered in single or dual sensor configuration with data/command interface, optional integrated flash memory for stand-alone operations, and support for optional sensors such as tilt meters, angular encoders, and external GPS receivers. Targeted at geophysics, mobile, aerial, marine, and space measurement applications.
• Fluxgate Magnetometer with LINUX Controller Extended fluxgate magnetometer featuring a LINUX-based processor system with touchscreen display, graphical user interface, TCP/IP network interface for remote control and worldwide data handling, gapless recording capability, and optional temperature control unit for improved thermal stability.
• Data Logger (MDL) LINUX-based data logger primarily developed for fast E-Field measurements on the sea floor, capable of low voltage measurements with 10 kHz on 3 channels. Equipped with network interface, FTP server, and optional atomic clock for time-synchronous measurements of multiple units without direct cable connection.
• Science Magnetometer Space-qualified fluxgate magnetometer designed, manufactured, and qualified for scientific space missions in accordance with common space standards, incorporating mission-specific requirements and constraints. Used as payload for diverse scientific space missions including JUICE, BepiColombo, Venus Express, and Hayabusa 2 MASCOT.
• Attitude Control Magnetometer (ACM) Compact tri-axial low-noise fluxgate magnetometer for LEO platform attitude determination, combining scientific instrument performance with low mass and cost requirements of attitude determination and control subsystems. Used on EnMAP and other satellites.
• Ship-Board Magnetometer Dual magnetometer system for ship-mounted geomagnetic vector measurements, featuring seawater-resistant waterproof and thermally isolated housing with dedicated heating unit. Uses custom correction algorithms incorporating IMU, inclinometer, and GPS data to remove vessel magnetic influence and movement. Deployed on research vessels Polarstern and Sonne.
• Tow Fish Magnetometer Towed marine magnetometer based on the standard fluxgate design with one or two sensors, housed in a fibreglass housing supplied via umbilical tow cable. Used for ocean floor magnetic signature measurements behind ships.
• Ocean Bottom Magnetometer Battery-powered magnetometer with mass memory encapsulated in a titanium pressure tube for submarine exploration. Capable of accurate E-field measurements with sample rates up to 10 kHz. Extendable with inertial measurement units. Used by GEOMAR and BGR for deep-sea exploration.
• Gradiometer (MFG-2S)

Quantifiable outcome

• Low noise < 15 pT/√Hz @ 1 Hz
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ESA (European Space Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022ESA serves as the primary customer and strategic partner for Magson's space magnetometer development. Activities include electronics development and manufacturing of JMAG-IB magnetometer electronics for JUICE mission, and magnetometer for GEO-KOMPSAT 2A geostationary space weather measurement under SSA programme.
• DLR (German Aerospace Center)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Long-standing partnership for electronics development on multiple missions including Insight HP3 heat flow measurement (with NASA), Mars Express IR spectrometer calibration, BIROS attitude control, and MASCOT lander development with JAXA.
• OHB System AGminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Magnetometer supply for attitude control system of EnMAP (Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program) Earth observation satellite.
• GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research KielminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Ocean bottom magnetometers utilized for submarine gas hydrate reservoir exploration and basic research globally.
• TU BraunschweigcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Academic partner for magnetometer development on BepiColombo (MPO and MMO magnetometer electronics), Venus Express, Themis, Double Star, and Rosetta Lander missions.
• IWF Graz (Institute for Space Research)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Academic partner for magnetometer development on BepiColombo, Venus Express, and MIR (Magson's first digital space magnetometer) missions.
• Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Deep sea magnetometers for submarine geological exploration.
• LAPAN (National Institute of Aeronautics and Space Indonesia)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Development of first magnetometer with custom ADC and DAC hybrids for LAPAN A3 satellite mission.
• ILR - TU BerlinminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Reaction wheel and magnetometer electronics development for Beesat satellite constellation (Beesat 1, 2, and 4).
• JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014MASCOT lander mission partnership for Hayabusa 2 asteroid sample return mission, including on-board magnetometer development and radiometer electronics design.
• Astro- und Feinwerktechnik GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012First non-scientific magnetometer for ADCS (Attitude Determination and Control System), magnetic torquer coil electronics, and Helmholtz system magnetic design for TET satellite.
• MPE (Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Rosetta Lander mission partnership including magnetometer, plasma monitor, anchor system, landing gear, thermal control system, and CDMS electronics development.
• Imperial College LondonminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003Analog magnetometer board development for Double Star mission.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bartington Instruments: UK-based manufacturer of fluxgate magnetometers and gradiometers for scientific, space, and industrial applications. Bartington's Mag-03 series directly competes with Magson's tri-axial fluxgate products in geophysics, defense, and space ADCS markets.
• Geometrics: US manufacturer of geophysical instruments including magnetometers used in airborne, marine, and ground surveys. Competes with Magson in terrestrial geophysics deployment configurations.
• Tristan Technologies: US-based magnetometer manufacturer producing SQUID and fluxgate instruments for biomedical, geophysical, and space applications. Overlaps with Magson in scientific and space-grade magnetometry segments.
• Billingsley Aerospace and Defense: US supplier of space-qualified magnetometers and magnetic cleanliness equipment for defense and aerospace primes. Competes with Magson on NASA/DOD attitude control magnetometer opportunities and magnetic signature testing.
• LEMI (Lviv Institute of Space Research): Ukrainian research institute producing fluxgate magnetometers used on numerous ESA and international space missions. Direct competitor for science-grade space magnetometer RFQs alongside Magson.
• GEM Systems: Canadian manufacturer of high-sensitivity magnetometers and gradiometers (Overhauser and potassium) for mineral exploration, archaeology, and geophysics. Adjacent competitor in the terrestrial geomagnetic survey market.
• Metrolab Technology: Swiss manufacturer of high-precision NMR and Hall-effect magnetometers for laboratory and accelerator physics. Competes in the precision magnetic field measurement segment adjacent to Magson's high-stability fluxgate offerings.
• Stefan Mayer Instruments: German manufacturer of fluxgate magnetometers serving mining, geophysics, and space applications. Direct overlap with Magson's geomagnetic survey and space magnetometer portfolio, particularly in European markets.

Broad incumbents

• Foerster Group: German industrial group with broad magnetometer and magnetic testing product lines for materials testing, NDT, and geomagnetic applications. Larger incumbent offering overlapping but more diverse products than Magson's focused fluxgate portfolio.

Emerging players

• SENSYS GmbH: German developer of magnetic sensor systems and fluxgate technology for industrial and security applications. Emerging competitor with overlapping magnetic sensor technology base though primarily serving security/safety rather than space markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Magson