By Dr. Tim Sandle
DIGITAL JOURNAL
May 28, 2026
NASA's Orion spacecraft en route for the Moon, with the Earth in the background, in a photo released by NASA in November 2022 - Copyright AFP YAMIL LAGE
NASA is testing a next-generation space computer chip that could give spacecraft the ability to operate far more independently in deep space. The radiation-hardened processor is showing performance levels hundreds of times beyond current spaceflight computers while surviving punishing tests designed to mimic the harsh conditions of space.
The technology could enable AI-powered spacecraft, faster scientific discoveries, and smarter missions to the Moon and Mars.
Future space missions—whether probing distant planets or supporting astronauts on Mars—will depend not only on rockets and instruments, but on something less visible: onboard computing power. NASA is now working to transform this capability through its High Performance Spaceflight Computing project, an initiative aimed at delivering a new generation of radiation-resistant processors for space exploration.
Need for independent decision making
For decades, spacecraft have relied on comparatively outdated computer chips. These processors are not chosen for speed, but for resilience. In the harsh environment of space—where radiation, extreme temperature swings and high-energy particles are routine—modern consumer-grade electronics would quickly fail. Legacy space processors, though slow, have proven durable enough to survive years, even decades, beyond Earth.
However, the limitations are becoming increasingly evident. As missions grow more ambitious, the demand for real-time data processing, autonomous navigation and advanced scientific analysis has intensified. Future spacecraft will need to make decisions independently, especially in deep space where communication delays with Earth can stretch to minutes or hours.
At the centre of NASA’s effort is a new radiation-hardened system-on-a-chip (SoC), designed to deliver a step-change in capability. Engineers anticipate up to 100 times the performance of current spaceflight processors, with early testing suggesting even higher gains under certain conditions. Unlike traditional single-purpose systems, this compact chip integrates multiple computing cores, networking functions and memory systems into one unit.
Radiation is one of the most serious threats to spacecraft electronics because, unlike on Earth, there is little natural shielding in space. High-energy particles from the Sun (solar radiation), Earth’s radiation belts, and deep space (cosmic rays) can directly interfere with electronic systems in several ways.
“This new multicore system is fault-tolerant, flexible, and extremely high-performing,” explains Eugene Schwanbeck of NASA’s Langley Research Center. The emphasis on fault tolerance is critical: in space, even a minor computational error—caused by a stray high-energy particle—can disrupt a mission.
Testing such hardware requires replicating the extremes of space as closely as possible on Earth. At NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California, engineers are subjecting the processor to an array of punishing conditions. These include radiation exposure, thermal cycling and mechanical shock, each designed to simulate the stresses encountered during launch, cruise and planetary operations.
One key challenge is mitigating the effects of cosmic radiation. Highly energetic particles from the Sun and beyond the Solar System can interfere with electronics, flipping bits in memory or triggering system failures. In current spacecraft, such disruptions often force systems into “safe mode,” suspending operations until ground controllers intervene. The new processor aims to reduce both the frequency and impact of these events.
The ship will decide what to transmit to Earth
Testing also extends to realistic mission scenarios. JPL engineers are feeding the system complex datasets based on planetary landings, where spacecraft must rapidly interpret sensor data to navigate hazardous terrain. These situations demand both computational speed and reliability—qualities that could prove decisive for future missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond.
The implications for astronomy and planetary science are profound. With significantly greater onboard processing power, spacecraft will be able to analyse data in situ, selecting the most valuable observations to transmit back to Earth. This is especially important for deep space probes operating across vast distances, where data bandwidth is limited and transmission opportunities are constrained.
The new processor is also expected to enable more sophisticated forms of onboard artificial intelligence. Rather than following pre-programmed instructions, spacecraft could adapt to changing conditions—rerouting observations, avoiding hazards or identifying unexpected phenomena without waiting for human input.
Quiet revolution
Despite its power, the chip remains remarkably compact. Like the processors found in smartphones, it integrates multiple functions into a single package. However, unlike consumer devices designed for a few years of use, this system must operate reliably for decades, potentially billions of miles from Earth, with no possibility of repair.
The project is being developed through a partnership between NASA and Microchip Technology Inc., reflecting a broader trend toward collaboration between government agencies and industry in the U.S. Once qualified, the processor is expected to feature in a wide range of missions, from Earth-orbiting satellites to interplanetary probes and crewed habitats.
In many ways, this effort represents a quiet revolution. While rockets capture the imagination, it is advances like these—embedded deep within spacecraft systems—that will determine how intelligently we explore the cosmos.
May 28, 2026
NASA's Orion spacecraft en route for the Moon, with the Earth in the background, in a photo released by NASA in November 2022 - Copyright AFP YAMIL LAGE
NASA is testing a next-generation space computer chip that could give spacecraft the ability to operate far more independently in deep space. The radiation-hardened processor is showing performance levels hundreds of times beyond current spaceflight computers while surviving punishing tests designed to mimic the harsh conditions of space.
The technology could enable AI-powered spacecraft, faster scientific discoveries, and smarter missions to the Moon and Mars.
Future space missions—whether probing distant planets or supporting astronauts on Mars—will depend not only on rockets and instruments, but on something less visible: onboard computing power. NASA is now working to transform this capability through its High Performance Spaceflight Computing project, an initiative aimed at delivering a new generation of radiation-resistant processors for space exploration.
Need for independent decision making
For decades, spacecraft have relied on comparatively outdated computer chips. These processors are not chosen for speed, but for resilience. In the harsh environment of space—where radiation, extreme temperature swings and high-energy particles are routine—modern consumer-grade electronics would quickly fail. Legacy space processors, though slow, have proven durable enough to survive years, even decades, beyond Earth.
However, the limitations are becoming increasingly evident. As missions grow more ambitious, the demand for real-time data processing, autonomous navigation and advanced scientific analysis has intensified. Future spacecraft will need to make decisions independently, especially in deep space where communication delays with Earth can stretch to minutes or hours.
At the centre of NASA’s effort is a new radiation-hardened system-on-a-chip (SoC), designed to deliver a step-change in capability. Engineers anticipate up to 100 times the performance of current spaceflight processors, with early testing suggesting even higher gains under certain conditions. Unlike traditional single-purpose systems, this compact chip integrates multiple computing cores, networking functions and memory systems into one unit.
Radiation is one of the most serious threats to spacecraft electronics because, unlike on Earth, there is little natural shielding in space. High-energy particles from the Sun (solar radiation), Earth’s radiation belts, and deep space (cosmic rays) can directly interfere with electronic systems in several ways.
“This new multicore system is fault-tolerant, flexible, and extremely high-performing,” explains Eugene Schwanbeck of NASA’s Langley Research Center. The emphasis on fault tolerance is critical: in space, even a minor computational error—caused by a stray high-energy particle—can disrupt a mission.
Testing such hardware requires replicating the extremes of space as closely as possible on Earth. At NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California, engineers are subjecting the processor to an array of punishing conditions. These include radiation exposure, thermal cycling and mechanical shock, each designed to simulate the stresses encountered during launch, cruise and planetary operations.
One key challenge is mitigating the effects of cosmic radiation. Highly energetic particles from the Sun and beyond the Solar System can interfere with electronics, flipping bits in memory or triggering system failures. In current spacecraft, such disruptions often force systems into “safe mode,” suspending operations until ground controllers intervene. The new processor aims to reduce both the frequency and impact of these events.
The ship will decide what to transmit to Earth
Testing also extends to realistic mission scenarios. JPL engineers are feeding the system complex datasets based on planetary landings, where spacecraft must rapidly interpret sensor data to navigate hazardous terrain. These situations demand both computational speed and reliability—qualities that could prove decisive for future missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond.
The implications for astronomy and planetary science are profound. With significantly greater onboard processing power, spacecraft will be able to analyse data in situ, selecting the most valuable observations to transmit back to Earth. This is especially important for deep space probes operating across vast distances, where data bandwidth is limited and transmission opportunities are constrained.
The new processor is also expected to enable more sophisticated forms of onboard artificial intelligence. Rather than following pre-programmed instructions, spacecraft could adapt to changing conditions—rerouting observations, avoiding hazards or identifying unexpected phenomena without waiting for human input.
Quiet revolution
Despite its power, the chip remains remarkably compact. Like the processors found in smartphones, it integrates multiple functions into a single package. However, unlike consumer devices designed for a few years of use, this system must operate reliably for decades, potentially billions of miles from Earth, with no possibility of repair.
The project is being developed through a partnership between NASA and Microchip Technology Inc., reflecting a broader trend toward collaboration between government agencies and industry in the U.S. Once qualified, the processor is expected to feature in a wide range of missions, from Earth-orbiting satellites to interplanetary probes and crewed habitats.
In many ways, this effort represents a quiet revolution. While rockets capture the imagination, it is advances like these—embedded deep within spacecraft systems—that will determine how intelligently we explore the cosmos.
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