EL SEGUNDO, Calif. July 2003 - International Rectifier, IR® (NYSE: IRF) announced today the important contribution its power management technology is making in the missions of the recently launched Mars explorers, Spirit and Opportunity. The company's DC-to-DC high-reliability (hi-rel) converter modules and MOSFET devices are critical in managing, maintaining and conditioning battery power and charging systems in each Mars lander.

"Efficient, reliable power management is of the utmost importance in the harsh and remote confines of outer space. We are pleased to have contributed to this historic and extremely important mission," said Bel Lazar, Vice President of International Rectifier HiRel Operations.

Each Mars rover weighs about 380 pounds and has sophisticated geological instruments and an infrared camera to examine rocks and soil on Mars for evidence of water, the key element needed to support life. The two research rovers can travel about 100 yards each day. Mechanical arms are equipped with tools to grind rock samples and will examine the samples with microscopes and other instruments.

The twin explorers will travel approximately 300 million miles, and are scheduled to land on the Mars surface in January 2004. Spirit will land in Gusev Crater while the Opportunity will land at Meridiani Planum.

International Rectifier has a long, established legacy in powering successes in outer space, including telecommunications satellites AsiaSAT 4, and Thuraya, the Australian Department of Defence Optus and Defence C1 Communication Satellite and many others. More information on International Rectifier line of radiation-hardened and hi-rel products can be found on our HiRel Home Page. International Rectifier currently does not have a DSCC certified Radiation Hardness Assurance Program.

JPL, a division of the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, built the rovers and manages the Mars Exploration Rover project for the NASA Office of Space Science, Washington, D.C. Information about the rovers and the scientific instruments they carry is available online from JPL and from Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

About International Rectifier

International Rectifier is recognized as a leading supplier of power semiconductors and systems solutions. IR's patented HEXFET® power MOSFETs, IGBTs and high-voltage ICs make electricity work smarter in industrial automation and controls, automotive electrical systems, consumer electronics, computers and peripherals, telecommunications, lighting and satellite/launch vehicle applications.

Trademark Notice

IR® and HEXFET® are registered trademarks of International Rectifier Corporation. All other product names noted herein may be trademarks of their respective holders.

For more information, contact International Rectifier Corporate Communications: Graham Robertson, grobert1@irf.com, 310-726-8512.