GoKawiilNASA and Microchip begin testing HPSC radiation-hardened space processor at JPL
NASA has entered the testing phase for its High Performance Spaceflight Computing (HPSC) processor at Jet Propulsion Laboratory, developed with Microchip Technology as the PIC64-HPSC chip. The system combines multi-core processing, fast networking, fault tolerance and AI capability into one radiation-hardened platform designed for missions from Earth orbit to deep space, promising over 100 times the performance-per-watt of current space computers.
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Spacecraft computers have long sacrificed speed for durability against radiation and extreme conditions, limiting onboard autonomy and data processing. A dramatic efficiency gain would free up power for instruments, communications and AI-driven decision-making, potentially enabling more ambitious deep-space and robotic missions. The commercial partnership with Microchip could also bridge NASA's needs with broader aerospace demand for rugged, high-performance chips.
- HPSC entered testing at JPL in May 2026 after development with Microchip Technology.
- The chip targets over 100x performance-per-watt improvement over current radiation-hardened processors.
- Better computing efficiency could enable more autonomous, capable missions across Earth orbit and deep space.
Microchip PIC32 Curiosity Development Board — HPSC is built by Microchip, and if the article's talk of multi-core, fault-tolerant embedded computing sparks your curiosity, a Microchip PIC32 Curiosity board lets you actually write firmware on that same family of MCUs. It's a hands-on way to learn embedded development, complete with onboard debugging and expansion headers for sensors and peripherals.
See Microchip PIC32 Curiosity Development Board on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: windriver.com, 2026-08-27
Published there as: “Why HPSC Is a Big Deal for Space Exploration”
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