BAE Systems Microprocessors Enroute To Mars

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BAE SYSTEMS MICROPROCESSORS ENROUTE TO MARS
BAE Systems Press Release
July 25, 2003

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
has successfully launched two Mars Exploration Rovers on
seven-month journeys to Mars. The Rovers are outfitted
with BAE SYSTEMS radiation-hardened RAD6000
computers that will process and send data back to earth to
help NASA search for evidence about ancient water on Mars.

The first launch occurred June 10 from Kennedy Space Center.
That Rover, named "Spirit," is expected to land south of
Mars' equator on Jan. 4, while the second spacecraft, named
"Opportunity" was launched July 7 and will land on the other
side of the planet Jan. 25. Both spacecraft will descend to the
red planet using rockets, parachutes, and inflatable balloons.
Once on the surface the solar-powered Rovers, Spirit and
Opportunity, will drive off their landers to begin studying
minerals in rocks. They'll travel up to 132 feet each day and
operate at temperatures dropping to down to minus 100
degrees centigrade at night.

As Spirit and Opportunity move about the surface searching
for clues to past environments of Mars, robotic tools on the
Rovers will investigate interesting rocks and other geological
formations. "The navigation of the Rovers and the scientific
analysis require 'brainpower,'" said Tom Bowmaster, BAE
SYSTEMS program manager for the Information & Electronic
Warfare Systems (IEWS) unit. "The RAD6000 truly is the
'brains' of the Rover and can process more than 20 million
software instructions per second to perform this complex
mission," he said.

The RAD6000 is a high-performance 32-bit Reduced
Instruction Set Computer (RISC) that provides powerful and
flexible solutions for space applications.

Since 1995, IEWS facility in Manassas, Virginia, has
delivered more than 300 radiation-hardened computers that
have been launched and operated in space. The RAD6000
was also the single control and data computer used on the
successful Pathfinder mission, which landed on Mars in 1997.
The RAD6000 is one of a family of radiation-hardened
computers developed and produced by BAE SYSTEMS with
the support of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Air
Force Research Laboratory and other Department of Defense
organizations.

About BAE SYSTEMS
BAE SYSTEMS is an international company engaged in the
development, delivery and support of advanced defence 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 BAE SYSTEMS has major operations across five
continents and customers in some 130 countries. The
company has 100,000 people and generates annual sales of
approximately £12 billion through its wholly-owned and joint
venture operations.

BAE SYSTEMS, innovating for a safer world.

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 more than 5,500 people at ten 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.

For further information, please contact:
Marianne Murphy, IEWS
Tel: +1 603 885 2812 Fax: +1 603 885 2813


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