Rad-hard SBCs continue Martian mission

BAE Systems' radiation-hardened microprocessors are playing a key role in enabling NASA to examine the surface, atmosphere and subsurface of Mars.

BAE Systems' radiation-hardened microprocessors, aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) launched recently from Cape Canaveral, Florida, are playing a key role in enabling NASA to examine the surface, atmosphere and subsurface of Mars.

Two RAD750 computers onboard the MRO are helping to navigate the satellite on its seven-month journey toward the red planet.

The single-board computers will control its insertion into low orbit around the planet and also assist in the collection and transmission of information between Mars surface missions and Earth.

Researchers hope to learn more about the history and distribution of water on Mars.

That information will improve the understanding of planetary climate change and will help answer whether Mars ever supported life.

The orbiter will also evaluate potential landing sites for future missions.

BAE Systems has a 20-year history of providing radiation-hardened solutions for US space programmes.

Its RAD6000 computers were installed on each of the still-broadcasting Mars Rovers - the only control and data computers aboard the two Rovers - to execute flight, landing and exploration operations on that planet.

The RAD750 represents the next-generation of space microprocessors and were vital in NASA's Deep Impact mission.

NASA's programme managers are investigating future options for the Deep Impact flyby spacecraft, which is on a trajectory to fly past Earth in late December 2007.

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