NASA selects SiFive and makes RISC-V the go-to ecosystem for future missions (sifive.com)

Article summary

NASA has selected SiFive to provide the core CPU for its next-generation High-Performance Spaceflight Computing (HPSC) processor, which will utilize a multiple SiFive Intelligence X280 RISC-V vector core. The HPSC processor is expected to be used in future space missions, including planetary exploration and lunar and Mars surface missions. The X280 is a multi-core capable RISC-V processor with vector extensions, optimized for AI/ML compute at the edge. It is expected to deliver 100x the computational capability of today's space computers.

Main themes

• RISC-V in space missions
• Radiation hardening
• High-performance computing
• Garbage collection
• Commercial off-the-shelf components
• Space exploration and computing
• Redundant systems and error-correcting code

What commenters say

• The use of RISC-V in space missions is a significant development, given its potential for high-performance computing and flexibility.
• Garbage collection is a crucial aspect of programming languages for space missions, as it can help prevent errors and ensure reliability.
• Radiation hardening is an important consideration for space-grade computing, but it may not be necessary with modern, redundant systems and error-correcting code.
• The increasing use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components in space missions can be beneficial, but also poses risks and challenges.
• The development of radiation-hardened, RISC-V-based processors could have significant implications for the future of space exploration and computing.
• There are trade-offs between radiation hardening and other design considerations, such as cost, weight, and power consumption.
• The use of software solutions, such as those based on JavaScript, can be effective in space missions, but may also introduce new risks and challenges.