Abstract Referring to the magnetometer experiments onboard the Mars-96 balloon, and the magnetometer on EQUATOR-S we present the development of fluxgate magnetometers in the MPE-A Berlin for application on small satellites and balloons. Techniques to overcome limitations of field and time resolution by ranging, compensation and data compression are described. To reduce the costs of the magnetic cleanliness program a transportable magnetic cleanliness facility was developed. Results from the measurement of the INTERBALL subsatellite will be shown. The miniaturization of the fluxgate sensor and its electronic and the influence on noise and on offset drift are presented. The feasibility and first results of a near-sensor digitalization are discussed.