NASA is developing a powerful new computer chip designed to dramatically increase the intelligence and performance of future spacecraft. Through a commercial partnership, the project is creating advanced processing technology capable of helping spacecraft operate more independently during missions far from Earth.
NASA’s High Performance Spaceflight Computing project is focused on boosting the computing capabilities of spacecraft used in space exploration. Current missions rely on older processors because they are durable enough to survive the extreme conditions of space. While those chips are dependable, they lack the performance needed for more advanced missions.
The agency says newer and far more capable processors are essential for future autonomous spacecraft, faster onboard scientific analysis, and supporting astronauts during missions to the Moon and Mars.
“Building on the legacy of previous space processors, this new multicore system is fault-tolerant, flexible, and extremely high-performing,” said Eugene Schwanbeck, program element manager in NASA’s Game Changing Development program at the agency’s Langley Research Center, in Hampton, Virginia. “NASA’s commitment to advancing spaceflight computing is a triumph of technical achievement and collaboration.”
Radiation Hardened Processor Faces Extreme Testing
At the center of the project is a new radiation-hardened processor built to deliver up to 100 times the computing power of today’s spaceflight computers while surviving the harsh environment of space. Engineers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California are running a wide range of tests designed to simulate those conditions.
“We are putting these new chips through the wringer by carrying out radiation, thermal, and shock tests while also evaluating their performance through a rigorous functional test campaign,” said Jim Butler, High Performance Space Computing project manager at JPL.
To qualify for spaceflight, the processor must withstand intense electromagnetic radiation and dramatic temperature fluctuations that can damage electronics. High-energy particles from the Sun and deep space can also trigger computer errors that force spacecraft into “safe mode,” temporarily shutting down nonessential systems until engineers resolve the issue.
NASA is also testing how the chip handles the challenges of planetary landings.
“To simulate real-world performance, we are using high-fidelity landing scenarios from real NASA missions that would typically require power-intensive hardware to process huge volumes of landing-sensor data,” said Butler. “This is an exciting time for us to be working on hardware that will enable NASA’s next giant leaps.”
Testing at JPL began in February and is expected to continue for several months. Early results have been highly encouraging. According to NASA, the processor is functioning as intended and has shown performance levels roughly 500 times greater than the radiation-hardened chips currently used in spacecraft.
The team also marked the beginning of testing with a symbolic moment by sending an email titled “Hello Universe,” referencing the famous introductory messages used during the early days of computer programming.
AI Powered Spacecraft and Deep Space Missions
The processor is being developed jointly by JPL and Microchip Technology Inc., based in Chandler, Arizona. The company is working with NASA through a commercial partnership, and sample chips have already been shared with defense and commercial aerospace partners.
The technology is expected to play a major role in the future of autonomous spacecraft. With onboard artificial intelligence, spacecraft could respond to unexpected situations in real time when communication delays make human control impractical. The chip could also help deep space missions process, store, and transmit massive amounts of scientific data back to Earth more efficiently.
NASA says the processor may eventually support crewed missions to the Moon and Mars as well.
Small Processor With Massive Computing Power
The device is known as a system-on-a-chip (or SoC), meaning it combines the essential components of a computer into a single compact unit. The processor includes central processing units, computational offloads, advanced networking systems, memory, and input/output interfaces.
SoCs are widely used in smartphones and tablets because they are compact and energy efficient. However, NASA’s version is designed to survive for years in deep space, potentially traveling millions (or even billions) of miles from Earth without maintenance or repairs.
Once the processor is certified for use in space, NASA plans to integrate it into a wide variety of missions, including Earth orbiters, planetary rovers, deep space probes, and crewed habitats.
The technology could also have benefits on Earth. Microchip plans to adapt the processor for industries such as aviation and automotive manufacturing.
NASA and Industry Collaboration
The project is managed by the Space Technology Mission Directorate’s Game Changing Development (GCD) program at NASA Langley. The GCD program and JPL, which is managed by Caltech in Pasadena, California, oversaw the development process from mission planning and industry studies through final delivery.
NASA JPL selected Microchip as a partner in 2022, and the company funded its own research and development work on the processor.