NASA’s High Performance Spaceflight Computing project aims to significantly enhance the computational capabilities of spacecraft, enabling autonomous operations and faster data analysis for missions to the Moon and Mars. Existing processors, developed years ago, are reliable but outdated, necessitating an upgrade to support advanced functionalities.
The centerpiece of this initiative is a new radiation-hardened multicore processor that promises to deliver up to 100 times the computational capacity of current spaceflight computers, according to Eugene Schwanbeck, program element manager at NASA’s Langley Research Center. “This new multicore system is fault-tolerant, flexible, and extremely high-performing,” Schwanbeck stated, highlighting NASA’s commitment to improving spaceflight computing.
Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has begun rigorous testing of the new processor, replicating challenging conditions in space, including thermal and shock tests. “We are putting these new chips through the wringer,” said Jim Butler, High Performance Space Computing project manager at JPL, noting that tests include evaluating performance against electromagnetic radiation and extreme temperature changes, both critical factors that affect electronic durability.
The testing process began in February and will encompass several months, during which initial results have shown the processor operating at up to 500 times the performance of current radiation-hardened chips. As a symbolic gesture, the testing team sent an email titled “Hello Universe” at the start of their testing campaign.
This new processor, developed by Microchip Technology Inc. in collaboration with JPL, is designed for use in diverse applications, including both defense and commercial aerospace sectors. The technology will facilitate autonomous spacecraft capabilities, enabling them to leverage artificial intelligence for real-time problem-solving in complex environments.
As a system-on-a-chip (SoC), the new processor integrates all essential computer components, delivering a compact and energy-efficient solution akin to smartphones. JPL’s SoCs are engineered to withstand extreme environmental conditions for extended durations, making them suitable for various NASA missions, including Earth orbiters and deep space expeditions.
The Space Technology Mission Directorate’s Game Changing Development program manages the project with the aim of integrating the processor into future NASA missions. Once certified for spaceflight, the technology will also be adapted by Microchip for applications within aviation and automotive industries.
NASA selected Microchip as a technology partner in 2022, and the project has received support through funding and guidance from the GCD program. “This is an exciting time for us to be working on hardware that will enable NASA’s next giant leaps,” Butler remarked, underscoring the project’s significant potential for advancing both space exploration and Earth-based industries.
