Center for High - Performance & Reconfigurable Computing

For over a half century, the United States space program has been a leading contributor to the health and growth of our nation from the perspectives of science, technology, economy, and defense. Given the nature and purpose of past, present, and future spacecraft, from earth science to space science and exploration to defense surveillance, one of the most critical needs and daunting challenges is on-board computing. The major challenges come in two major areas: compression and/or processing of data from on-board sensors; and, processing of data for autonomous-control functions such as landing and docking. In both areas, demands are rapidly accelerating because of technology advances in other areas and because conventional on-board computing technologies are lagging behind in terms of performance required in a harsh space environment. This is due to their size, weight, and power constraints, as well as the inherent hazards of radiation effects outside our planet’s atmosphere.