NASA awarded Microchip Technology a $50 million contract. microcontroller giant, for the development of new generation processors which allow space computers to be 100 times faster than modern ones.
If NASA is to fulfill its mission of deeper exploration of the solar system, it will have to develop advanced computers. capable of performing complex navigation and communication tasks for all kinds of equipment, from spacecraft to robotic rovers.
For this reason, the US space agency needs a line of rugged processors that can not only withstand harsh conditions with extreme temperatures and high levels of space radiation, but also have at least 100 times the processing power of modern space equipment.
“This state-of-the-art space processor will have a huge impact on our future space missions and even technology here on Earth.This was announced this week by Niki Werkheiser, director of technology development for the Office of Space Technology.
NASA enlisted Microchip Technology, an Arizona-based company founded in the 1980s and known for its line of PIC chips, to develop its next-generation space chip.
The $50 million contract will fund Microchip’s efforts to design and manufacture what it calls the HPSC processor. (High performance space computing) For three years. NASA wants the chip architecture to be robust, fault-tolerant, and much more powerful.
The processor design must be generic enough to support a wide range of applications such as: AI, edge computing, data transmission over Ethernet and other communication systems.
Microchip will have to think about how the chip can be adapted to handle all sorts of space missions at a time when the Moon and Mars are closer than ever.
“Our current spaceflight computers were developed almost 30 years ago. While they have served previous missions well, NASA’s future missions require a significant increase in computing power.explains Wesley Powell, NASA’s chief technologist for advanced avionics.
Source: Computer Hoy
I am Bret Jackson, a professional journalist and author for Gadget Onus, where I specialize in writing about the gaming industry. With over 6 years of experience in my field, I have built up an extensive portfolio that ranges from reviews to interviews with top figures within the industry. My work has been featured on various news sites, providing readers with insightful analysis regarding the current state of gaming culture.
