ASICS – Adaptable, Scalable, Intelligent Computing for Space

As we embark on increasingly ambitious missions in Earth orbit, to the Moon, and beyond, the need for advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) capabilities becomes ever more apparent. While AI/ML technologies are often deployed on Earth using either massive cloud computing resources or specialized commercial-grade chipsets, applications for space are far more constrained. Astrobotic proposes the development of a new rugged, radiation-tolerant computing solution using a processor tailored specifically for Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) constrained AI/ML applications: the AMD Versal Adaptive System on Chip (ASoC) Edge Series. The Versal Edge Series is a new space-grade processor with dedicated on-chip AI Engine resources that are optimized for power efficient, high bandwidth AI/ML computations. SWaP are crucial parameters for maximizing the efficiency, reliability, and performance of any spacecraft, and to date these constraints have been especially limiting in AI/ML applications requiring high computational resources. Our Phase 1 work titled Adaptable, Scalable, Intelligent Computing for Space (ASICS) will address these limitations and provide a path for artificial intelligence beyond Earth’s atmosphere via: 1. Analyzing and maturing a Versal Edge Single Board Computer (SBC) design to support board manufacturing in Phase II. A test plan will also be developed for Phase II mission specific environmental and reliability testing. 2. Developing a robust AI/ML application roadmap for the Versal Edge space computer. In support of this application roadmap, a software workflow will be developed to show how new AI/ML models will be deployed to the Versal Edge space computer. 3. Deploying an existing AI/ML model for lunar landing hazard detection to the Versal Edge VEK280 development board. 4. Measuring performance and power during hardware-in-the-loop (HiTL) testing to assess the real-world benefits of the unique Versal Edge ASoC architecture.
Benefits: Our ASICS computing package will be an attractive solution for both NASA/government, commercial, and DoD applications alike. Potential applications include lunar precision landing, RPOD, ISAM, SSA, Earth observation, detection and segmentation, wildfire and lightning detection, object classification and detection, avionics hardware and other novel onboard customer applications. The Non-NASA market for ASICS hardware includes other U.S. Government agencies, commercial customers, and international space agencies. Potential applications include lunar precision landing, RPOD, ISAM, SSA, SDA, Earth observation, detection and segmentation, wildfire and lightning detection, object classification and detection, avionics hardware and other novel onboard customer applications.