• Forum
• SITREP
• Military
• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security

• Space

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Public Eye

BAE SYSTEMS Microprocessor Guides Rover Landings On Mars

29 Jan 2004

BAE Systems-built brains are guiding Spirit and Opportunity - Mars Rovers that successfully landed in January to explore the Red Planet. Both Rovers are outfitted with BAE Systems radiation-hardened RAD6000 computers. The RAD6000 processed key navigational data during each spacecrafts six-month journey.

We are proud to be part of the NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Rover program, said Vic Scuderi, manager, space products, BAE Systems Information and Electronic Warfare Systems (IEWS) unit. This has been a tremendous team effort and we are honoured that JPL selected the RAD6000 as their single spacecraft computer on-board the Rovers.

The Rovers are designed to study minerals in rocks. They will travel up to 132 feet each day and operate at temperatures as low as minus100 degrees Celsius at night.

The RAD6000 is a high-performance 32-bit Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) that operates in the heavily radiated space environment and is based on the IBM PowerPC architecture. The RAD6000 is one of a family of radiation-hardened protected computers developed and produced by BAE Systems with the support of NASA's JPL and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.

Since 1995, IEWS facility in Manassas, Virginia, has delivered more than 300 radiation-hardened computers that have been launched and are operating in space. The RAD6000 was also the single control and data computer used on the successful Pathfinder mission, which landed on Mars in 1997.

About BAE SYSTEMS

BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defines and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. The company designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years. It is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems.

BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company employs more than 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately 12 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations.

BAE Systems North America is a high-technology U.S. company employing more than 25,000 people who live and work in some 30 states, the District of Columbia, and the United Kingdom. The company is dedicated to solving its customers needs with highly innovative and leading edge solutions across the defence electronics, systems, information technology, and services arenas.

BAE Systems Information & Electronic Warfare Systems employs 5,700 people at 10 major facilities in eight states. The business unit is a major producer of aircraft self-protection systems and tactical surveillance and intelligence systems for all branches of the armed forces. Other major business areas include microwave, mission and space electronics; infrared imaging; and automated mission planning systems.