EdgeCortix Inc., a leading fabless semiconductor company specializing in energy-efficient Artificial Intelligence (AI) processing at the edge, announced that its SAKURA-I AI Accelerator is suitable for space missions including in Earth orbit and on the lunar surface, demonstrating high levels of radiation resiliency. NASA Electronic Parts and Packaging Program (NEPP) executed two phases of testing on EdgeCortix’s AI accelerator, subjecting it to both proton and heavy ion radiations to evaluate its ability to withstand radiation impact in space-like environments.
The NEPP testing initiative was commissioned to advance the goal of achieving full autonomy in space. While recent advancements in machine learning and computer vision have shown significant promise in enhancing sensor processing capabilities, the computational demands of these algorithms often exceed the capabilities of many embedded central processing units (CPUs). Additionally, graphics processing units (GPUs), though powerful, typically consume over 40 watts—far exceeding the acceptable power thresholds for most space missions. To address these critical challenges, NEPP evaluated several commercially off-the-shelf (COTS) low-power AI accelerators, including EdgeCortix’s SAKURA-I, as a potential solution.
Proton and heavy ion testing, conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital and Lawrence Berkeley National Labs, confirmed that EdgeCortix’s accelerator demonstrates radiation tolerance suitable for environments such as low Earth orbit, geosynchronous orbit, and the lunar surface. The tests revealed that SAKURA-I experienced no destructive events, while transitory radiation effects occurred at a significantly lower rate compared to other similar products tested. These results underscore the potential to deploy COTS edge AI accelerators in space, paving the way for more complex, efficient, and cost-effective operations in near-term missions.
“The radiation resilience demonstrated by SAKURA-I marks a significant milestone in the advancement of AI-driven space exploration,” said Sakyasingha Dasgupta, CEO and Founder of EdgeCortix. “Processing billions of data points swiftly and accurately at the ultimate edge—space—without relying on Earth-based systems for analysis and decision-making was once considered out of reach. NASA’s testing confirms that high-performance, autonomous data processing during spaceflight is no longer just a possibility but a reality. EdgeCortix stands ready to deliver cutting-edge AI solutions that empower autonomous space applications today.”
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