Mars probe to use radiation-proof computers

Phoenix Lander will search for life at red planet's frozen northern pole

IBM's Power Architecture technology will help to investigate Mars

NASA's next Mars mission will look for life on the red planet's frozen surface using technology built by BAE Systems using IBM's Power Architecture microprocessors.

The Phoenix Mars Lander will travel to the planet's north pole using a probe controlled by a radiation-hardened RAD6000 computer.

The $420m (£207m) space mission will expose the lander to temperatures of minus 100 degrees farenheit and wind speeds of 40 metres per second. The RAD600 computer will process navigational data and run the probe's key systems.

'We are honored to be part of a mission that may answer the age old question; could life exist on another planet,' said IBM Global Engineering Solutions vice president Raj Desai.

IBM's Power-based processors were previously used in the two Mars Rover probes launched in 2003.