DMS-R and Russian system software will control the attitude of the International Space Station and will ensure precise orbiting as well as correct alignment of solar cells and communication systems.

During the assembly phase, DMS-R will already assume important guidance and control functions in the Russian service module as well as in the other station elements.

"With this innovative computer technology Astrium underlines its competence in the development of highly complex software systems. We are sure that the first crew will move to the International Space Station and start working by the end of the year.

"For Astrium and its European partners, this will be a decisive step in the establishment of the International Space Station and towards industrializing operation and utilization of this global project", said Josef Kind, Head of Astrium's Space Infrastructure business division, in Bremen.

DMS-R, which was developed under contract to the European Space Agency ESA, consists of two Fault Tolerant Computers (FTCs) for attitude control and guidance of the Russian service module.

It also comprises two Control Post Computers (CPCs) serving the astronauts to control and monitor experiments, the European Robotic Arm ERA as well as the docking of supply vehicles. DMS-R will thus ensure the highest safety possible with respect to space station operation.

Other fields of application are also intended for FTC use. The Automated Transfer Vehicle ATV will be equipped with the fault-tolerant computer system.

The Control Post Computer system, which was also developed by Astrium, will be used in the scientific laboratory Columbus, Europe's central contribution to the International Space Station.

According to Astrium, it is also quite conceivable that the intelligent computer is used on Earth, for example, in complex industrial processes.

The intelligent computer systems are designed to check and remedy faults during the production phase, for instance, without interrupting the production process. This would increase fail-safety of plants and reduce maintenance costs.

"The diversity of possible applications of the fault-tolerant computer system complies with politicians' wish to have more industrial flexibility. The opening of non-spaceflight markets -- the buzz word is commercialization -- is fully under way", said Josef Kind.

Astrium is a joint venture of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) and BAe Systems. EADS is the merger formed by A�rospatiale Matra, France, CASA of Spain and DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (Dasa), Germany, on 10 July 2000.