What is the story about?
What's Happening?
Cosmic Shielding, an Atlanta-based startup, has developed a lightweight nanocomposite called Plasteel to protect advanced commercial processors from space radiation. This innovation aims to close the technology gap that limits computing power in satellites. The company demonstrated Plasteel's effectiveness by successfully testing an Nvidia Jetson Orin NX GPU in orbit. Cosmic Shielding has secured a $4 million TACFI contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory to develop a tool predicting the performance of radiation-shielded AI chips. This contract will support the development of a modeling tool to enhance the protection of military systems in space.
Why It's Important?
The ability to protect advanced AI chips from radiation is crucial for expanding the capabilities of satellites and other space-based systems. By enabling the use of high-performance processors in space, Cosmic Shielding's technology could significantly enhance data processing capabilities, allowing for more sophisticated AI and machine learning applications. This advancement is particularly important for military and commercial sectors, which are increasingly interested in processing data closer to the source. The technology could also reduce costs and increase the flexibility of satellite payloads, making it a valuable asset for the growing space industry.
What's Next?
Cosmic Shielding will continue to develop and test its radiation shielding technology, with plans to expand its applications to more powerful processors. The company is also working with various international space agencies to explore further uses of Plasteel. As the technology matures, it could lead to broader adoption across the space industry, potentially transforming how satellites and other space systems are designed and operated. The success of this technology could also attract further investment and partnerships, accelerating its development and deployment.
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