BAE Systems’ RAD750 Computers Support Air Force Experiment Satellite

MANASSAS, Va., May 10, 2005/Satnews Daily/ ¾ BAE Systems' radiation hardened microprocessors (RAD750) are supporting another U.S. space exploration, this time for the Air Force Research Laboratory's Experimental Satellite System-11 (XSS-11) spacecraft.

The mission was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., April 11, boosting the satellite into Earth orbit.

According to BAE Systems, the RAD750 single board computer, built at the company’s Manassas, Va., facility, is the backbone of the spacecraft's command and data handling system, designed by Broad Reach Engineering Co.

BAE Systems' program manager Tom Bowmaster said, RAD750 will provide the necessary computing power in the command and data handling subsystem of the spacecraft, which enables control and telemetry in flying the XSS-11.

The mission will last 12 to 18 months. The XSS-11 will demonstrate new autonomous satellite features during encounters with six or seven spent rocket stages and inactive U.S. satellites. The microsatellite project is designed to test technologies that allow quick visual examinations or even maintenance of spacecraft in orbit.

BAE Systems has a 20-year history of providing radiation-hardened solutions for U.S. space programs. Its RAD6000 computers were installed on each of the still-operating Mars Rovers - the only control and data computers aboard the two Rovers - to execute flight, landing and exploration operations on Mars. The RAD750 represents the next-generation of space microprocessors, and was first launched onboard NASA's Deep Impact mission.