BAE Systems Computers
Handle Processing On NASA GLAST Mission
(14 July 2008) BAE Systems computers
will enable a new NASA satellite to examine gamma rays, the most intense form
of radiation in the universe.
Seven of the company's RAD750
computers are aboard the Gamma-ray Large Area Telescope (GLAST), on a mission
to measure and characterise the high-energy radiation emitted by black holes
and emerging neutron stars.
Of the seven BAE Systems computers aboard
GLAST, two control spacecraft functions such as position keeping and data
handling, and five will manage functions on the satellite's scientific
instrument. Following a 60-day checkout and calibration period, GLAST will
transmit more than 100 gigabits of information daily to NASA
scientists.
"This mission called for computers that can provide
significant processing power," said Vic Scuderi, manager of satellite
electronics at BAE Systems' Speciality Microelectronics Foundry in Manassas,
Virginia. "These computers will help scientists study elusive gamma rays as
they search for information about the nature of the universe and its many
mysteries."
The RAD750 computer is the most technologically advanced of
three radiation-hardened single-board microprocessors BAE Systems builds for
the space industry. Since the mid-1980's, BAE Systems has been the leading
provider of radiation technology, components and single- board computers. With
the launch of GLAST, there are now almost 500 BAE Systems single-board
computers in space providing mission processing on 170 satellites. These
satellites perform communications, science and Department of Defence
applications for a wide range of customers.
About BAE Systems
BAE
Systems is the premier global defence and aerospace company delivering a full
range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as
advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support
services. With 97,500 employees world-wide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded
£15.7 billion (US$31.4 billion) in 2007.
(source: BAE
Systems)
