GoKawiilNASA 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."
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