The VFM is the latest generation of the Vector Field Magnetometer (VFM) that has flown on a number of other satellite missions. The SIG also manufacture the Advanced Stellar Compass (ASC) that is used for attitude control on a large number of satellite missions. The VFM inherits from the VFM and from the Advanced Stellar Compass the technology and methodology to select and to qualify the components and the instrument for use in space. The VFM has successfully passed all qualification tests. The Sensor Unit (SU) used in the VFM is similar to sensor used on a previous ESA mission (Proba 2) and the Electronics Unit (EU) is similar to another ESA mission (Swarm).

The VFM was originally designed and developed to fly on-board the Danish Geomagnetic Research Satellite Ørsted after a number of successful sounding rocket flights. The VFM has been procured by the following sounding rocket projects: CUSP, SEC/Esa, Substorm GEOS, COROBIER, AF-VB-55, Centaur 1 and 2, TOR, Polar Arcs, Plasma Turbulence, NOON CUSP, CRIT II, and Auroral Turbulence 1 and 2, THUNDERSTORM, DEOS 1 and 2. The PPM has been procured by the following sounding rocket projects: SEC 1, CUSP 1, IAC 75, CUSP 2, SEC/Esa 2, IAC 77 1 and 2.

Since then, the Fluxgate Magnetometer (VFM) has evolved into a more compact and sophisticated instrument that has flown on Astrid-2 and CHAMP and is flying on Ørsted, SAC-C, PROBA-2 and the Swarm satellite missions.