NASA's next-gen space processor shows 500x performance leap in early testing for autonomous missions

Hello Universe: NASA's Next-Gen Space Processor Undergoes Testing - NASA

Small enough to fit in the palm of a hand, NASA's High Performance Spaceflight Computing processor packs the power of a full system-on-a-chip. This next-generation processor is made to survive deep space while delivering a massive leap in computational speed compared to current spacecraft technology. NASA's High Performance Spaceflight Computing project aims to dramatically improve the computing power of spacecraft. Missions need processors that can withstand the harsh space environment, so they use chips developed years ago that are hardy and reliable. But upgraded chips are needed to enable the development of autonomous spacecraft, accelerate the rate of scientific discovery through faster data analysis, and support astronauts on 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." The centerpiece of the High Performance Spaceflight Computing project is a new radiation-hardened, high-performance processor, designed to provide up to 100 times the computational capacity of current spaceflight computers while enduring a barrage of challenges in space. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California has been conducting various tests that replicate those challenges. "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. The processor must endure myriad tests to prove it can survive the rigors of spaceflight, including electromagnetic radiation and extreme temperature swings, both of which can degrade electronics. High-energy particles from the Sun and interstellar space can cause errors that send a spacecraft into "safe mode," where nonessential operations are shut down until mission operators resolve the issue. There are also unique challenges associated with landing on planetary bodies. "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, which began in February, will continue for several months. Results have been promising: The processor is working as designed and indications show it operating at 500 times the performance of the radiation-hardened chips currently in use. In a symbolic milestone, the team sent an email at the start of testing with the subject line "Hello Universe" -- a nod to the test message that was popular in early computer development. Built by Microchip Technology Inc., headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, the High Performance Spaceflight Computing processor is being developed by the company and JPL through a commercial partnership. Samples have been provided to early access partners in the broader defense and commercial aerospace industry. The technology will enable autonomous spacecraft to use artificial intelligence to respond in real time to complex situations and environments where human input isn't possible. It will help deep space missions analyze, store, and transmit troves of data to Earth, accelerating the rate of science discoveries. It could also support future human missions to the Moon and Mars. Known as a system-on-a-chip (or SoC), the processor can fit in the palm of a hand and includes all the key components of a computer, such as central processing units, computational offloads, advanced networking units, memory, and input/output interfaces. Compact and energy-efficient, SoCs are commonly found in smartphones and tablets. But only the SoCs JPL is testing are built to survive for years, millions (or even billions) of miles from the nearest repair technician, enduring conditions that even the toughest home user couldn't replicate. Once certified for spaceflight, NASA will incorporate the chip into the computing hardware for many of the agency's Earth orbiters, rovers exploring planetary surfaces, crewed habitats, and deep-space missions. The technology will be adapted by Microchip for Earth-based industries too, such as aviation and automotive manufacturing. The versatility of High Performance Spaceflight Computing supports NASA's continued advancements in space exploration while providing transformative tools for numerous fields on Earth. The project is managed by the Space Technology Mission Directorate's Game Changing Development (GCD) program based at NASA Langley. The GCD program and JPL, a division of Caltech in Pasadena, California, led the end-to-end maturation of the High Performance Spaceflight Computing technology by developing mission requirements, funding industry studies, and guiding the project life cycle to delivery. NASA JPL selected Microchip as a partner in 2022, and the company funded its own research and development of the processor. For more information about the High Performance Spaceflight Computing project, visit:

NASA partners with Microchip to build next-generation spaceflight chips with 100x the power of current offerings -- chip designed to withstand radiation for extended missions on the Moon and Mars

NASA has announced that it has just partnered with Microchip Technology Inc. to build next-generation chips that will power its spacecraft. This project, dubbed High-Performance Spaceflight Computing, aims to build a system-on-a-chip (SoC) that will deliver 100 times the computing capacity of current processors designed for spaceflight. The space agency said that it will come in two flavors -- a radiation-hardened version for geosynchronous, deep-space, and long-duration missions and a radiation-tolerant version for low Earth orbit satellites. The former is primarily aimed at supporting missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, while the latter is tailored for commercial applications. The SoC will combine both computing and networking capabilities on a single device, reducing cost and complexity, as well as allowing for better power efficiency. More importantly, it will feature a scalable architecture so operators can turn off unnecessary functions in case they need to conserve energy. We've seen NASA selectively turn off instruments on distant spacecraft to reduce power consumption -- it executed this procedure on the nearly 50-year-old Voyager 1, which left the solar system in 2012, after scientists noticed an unexpected drop in onboard power levels. These chips are also designed to scale as multiple units connected via advanced Ethernet. This would give NASA spacecraft massive computing power and even allow for some autonomy, like deciding the speed at which a rover will traverse a landscape or using it to analyze images independently. The Perseverance rover actually used something similar when it paired NASA's satellite data of the Red Planet's surface with its panoramic camera and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801. This allows it to compare what it sees with the information gathered from space so it can determine its location with pinpoint accuracy. What's interesting, though, is that NASA envisions that the technology developed from this project will be used in Earth-bound applications, as well. The agency said that its potential applications include "drones, energy grids, medical equipment, communication services, artificial intelligence, and data transmission." This won't be the first time that space-borne technology has become ubiquitous on our planet. Several technologies that we use daily were initially built for space exploration, says NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This includes camera phones, CAT scans, LEDs, water purification systems, wireless headphones, and memory foam, among others. Advancements in the semiconductor space have so far been driven by chip makers, like Apple and Nvidia, and fabs such as TSMC. This partnership will allow NASA and Microchip to build technological advancements of their own. But instead of focusing on raw computing power, the two entities will push for reliability, power efficiency, scalability, and security. Follow Tom's Hardware on Google News, or add us as a preferred source, to get our latest news, analysis, & reviews in your feeds.

NASA's Next-Gen Processor Is 500 Times More Powerful Than Current Space Chips

NASA is testing a chip that could significantly enhance the computing power of upcoming missions, allowing spacecraft to respond in real time should something go wrong rather than wait for commands from ground control on Earth. NASA’s High Performance Spaceflight Computing project began testing the next-generation processor in February, sending an email with the subject line "Hello Universe." So far, the chip has shown promising results, operating at 500 times the computing power of the ones currently in use. Unlike standard computer chips, spacecraft need radiation-hardened processors that can withstand extreme temperatures and cosmic radiation that could scramble data. NASA has been using chips on board its spacecraft that were developed years ago, which have proven hardy and reliable. However, it's time for an upgrade to make way for autonomous spacecraft, as well as faster processing of data to accelerate the rate of scientific discovery and support upcoming astronaut 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," Eugene Schwanbeck, program element manager in NASA’s Game Changing Development program at the Langley Research Center, said in a statement. "NASA’s commitment to advancing spaceflight computing is a triumph of technical achievement and collaboration." The next-generation chip, developed through a partnership with Microchip Technology, is a high-performance processor that's designed to provide up to 100 times the computational capacity of current spaceflight computers. It's also built to endure the challenging environment of space. Known as a system-on-a-chip (or SoC), the new processor can fit in the palm of a hand. It includes all the key components of a computer, such as central processing units, computational offloads, advanced networking units, memory, and input/output interfaces. The new technology is designed to support artificial intelligence systems aboard spacecraft, enabling them to autonomously respond to unexpected situations without the help of mission teams. It is also designed to help deep space missions analyze, store, and transmit troves of data to Earth. The new processor is currently being tested at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California, where engineers are replicating the challenges often faced by missions in space. Those challenges include electromagnetic radiation and extreme temperature swings, which can degrade electronics. The Sun also releases high-energy particles, which can cause a spacecraft to go into a dreaded safe mode whereby all non-essential operations are shut down until mission operators on Earth send commands to resolve the issue. “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,†Jim Butler, High Performance Space Computing project manager at JPL, said in a statement. The chips must also endure the challenges associated with landing on a planetary body. "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," Butler said. Testing of the new chip will continue for several more months. Once it's certified for flight, NASA plans on incorporating the processor into the computing hardware of Earth orbiters, rovers on other planetary surfaces, crewed habitats, and deep space missions. “This is an exciting time for us to be working on hardware that will enable NASA’s next giant leaps,†Butler said.

Deep space missions may soon rely on autonomous NASA computers

NASA's next-generation spacecraft chip delivers massive computing power * NASA developed autonomous spacecraft processors with dramatically higher computing performance levels * New radiation-hardened chip delivers hundreds of times greater processing capability * Deep-space communication delays are driving demand for autonomous onboard decision systems A famous warning about autonomous machines from the 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey appears to have faded from NASA's memory, if it was ever taken seriously at all. The space agency is now developing a powerful new processor that could allow spacecraft to make independent decisions during deep space missions. As part of the High-Performance Spaceflight Computing (HPSC) project, this technology aims to reduce reliance on Earth-based controllers, which currently face long communication delays. A leap in space computing performance NASA claims its new radiation-hardened chip delivers up to 100 times more computing power than current spaceflight hardware, and early test results have even shown performance levels roughly 500 times greater than existing radiation-protected processors. "Building on the legacy of previous space processors, this new multicore system is fault-tolerant, flexible, and extremely high-performing," said Eugene Schwanbeck, a program manager at NASA Langley Research Center. Any processor destined for deep space must endure extreme electromagnetic radiation and dramatic temperature swings. High-energy particles from the Sun can easily trigger computer errors that force conventional spacecraft into a protective "safe mode." Engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory are subjecting the prototype to punishing simulations of these conditions. "We are putting these new chips through the wringer by carrying out radiation, thermal, and shock tests," explained Jim Butler, the project manager for High Performance Space Computing at JPL. The chip must also handle the unique challenges of planetary landings without human intervention. These dramatic improvements raise a legitimate question about whether engineers have considered the potential risks of truly autonomous machines. Autonomy versus the ghost of HAL Science fiction enthusiasts reading this might immediately recall 2001: A Space Odyssey, where a thinking computer named HAL tragically malfunctions in a story serving as a cautionary tale about granting machines too much independent authority over human lives. NASA now envisions spacecraft that can process scientific data instantly and respond to unexpected hazards without waiting for instructions from Earth. The agency is testing how the chip handles high-fidelity landing scenarios that would normally require power-intensive hardware to process massive sensor data volumes. One must acknowledge that modern spacecraft already rely on automated systems for many routine functions. The difference here lies in the scale of autonomy and the use of onboard artificial intelligence for mission-critical decisions. NASA's collaboration with Microchip Technology has already produced sample chips for defense and commercial aerospace partners. The finished processor could eventually support crewed missions to the Moon and Mars, where communication delays of several seconds would make real-time human control impractical. Whether this technological leap invites unforeseen risks remains an open question - after all, HAL's famous line, "I'm sorry, Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that," began with the best engineering intentions. Via ScienceDaily Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.

NASA's powerful new chip could let spacecraft think independently

Space missions still rely on computer chips that were designed years ago. They are dependable and can survive radiation, freezing cold, and violent launches. But the computer chips are also slow by modern standards. That creates a serious problem as spacecraft travel farther from Earth and collect larger amounts of data than ever before. NASA now wants spacecraft to make decisions without waiting for humans back on Earth. That means future missions to the Moon, Mars, and deep space will need computers that can react quickly, solve problems in real time, and process huge streams of information on their own. A new project may finally make that possible. The effort centers on a powerful processor being tested for use in space. Unlike ordinary computer chips, this one is built to survive years in dangerous conditions where repairs are impossible. Early test results suggest that the processor could dramatically change how spacecraft operate. The work comes from NASA's High Performance Spaceflight Computing project. The team is developing a radiation-hardened processor through a partnership with Microchip Technology Inc. and the NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Space is brutal on electronics. High-energy particles from the Sun and deep space can interfere with computer systems and trigger errors. Sometimes spacecraft are forced into what engineers call "safe mode," where nonessential systems shut down until operators can fix the issue from Earth. Temperature swings create another challenge. Hardware may face intense heat one moment and bitter cold the next. During planetary landings, computers also need to process massive amounts of sensor data almost instantly while navigating dangerous terrain. That is why NASA has spent months pushing the new processor to its limits. "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. The testing began in February and will continue for several months. So far, the processor appears to be performing far beyond expectations. NASA says early signs show the chip operating at 500 times the performance of the radiation-hardened processors currently used in spacecraft. The original goal was already ambitious: provide up to 100 times the computing power of existing spaceflight systems. Modern spacecraft collect huge amounts of scientific information. Mars rovers scan rocks and soil. Orbiters study weather systems on distant planets. Deep space probes gather measurements from places billions of miles away. Much of that information must either wait to be processed or be sent back to Earth for analysis. That takes time. Signals from Mars can take anywhere from about 5 to 20 minutes to reach Earth, depending on planetary positions. For missions farther out, delays grow even longer. Faster onboard computers could change that completely. The new processor is designed to help spacecraft analyze data immediately instead of waiting for instructions from mission control. That means a rover could identify important rock samples by itself or a spacecraft could react to hazards without human input. The chip may also help future missions use artificial intelligence in ways current space computers cannot handle well. AI systems require large amounts of computing power, something spacecraft have traditionally lacked because of radiation concerns. "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." The processor itself is surprisingly compact. It is known as a system-on-a-chip, or SoC. That means many major computer components are packed into a single unit, including processors, networking systems, memory, and data interfaces. Most people already use SoCs every day inside smartphones and tablets. The difference is durability. Consumer electronics are never expected to survive years of radiation exposure millions or billions of miles from Earth. NASA's chip is being designed for exactly that. "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. "NASA's commitment to advancing spaceflight computing is a triumph of technical achievement and collaboration." The team even marked the beginning of testing with a simple but symbolic message. Engineers sent an email with the subject line "Hello Universe," a nod to the classic "Hello World" test used in early computer programming. NASA expects the processor to eventually support Earth-orbiting satellites, robotic rovers, crewed habitats, and deep space exploration missions. The technology may also find uses much closer to home. Microchip plans to adapt parts of the system for industries on Earth, including aviation and automotive manufacturing. Faster and more reliable computing systems could help aircraft and vehicles process information more efficiently in demanding environments. The project reflects a larger shift happening across space exploration. Spacecraft are becoming less dependent on constant human guidance and more capable of operating independently. That matters because the farther humans travel into space, the harder it becomes to control every move from Earth. At some point, spacecraft will need to think for themselves. NASA's new processor may be one of the first real steps toward making that happen. Like what you read? Subscribe to our newsletter for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.