INSIDE INNOVATION
EDGE PROCESSING IN SPACE
Edge processing in space
22nd October 2025
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Space Edge Processing with Infinity Avionics BRAIN
Space Edge Processing, often referred to as Space Edge Computing or Orbital Edge Computing, shifts data processing and analysis from ground stations on Earth to the satellites and spacecraft themselves. It is the application of edge computing principles to the unique and demanding environment of space, fundamentally transforming how space missions manage data, make decisions, and operate with greater autonomy.
With the advent of Space 2.0 and beyond, space missions are becoming more complex, sensor heavy and demands some level of autonomy. Traditional space missions operate on a “bent pipe” model: raw data is collected by sensors in orbit and then transmitted entirely back to Earth for storage, processing, and analysis. This model is becoming increasingly impractical due to several factors:
- The Data Explosion: Modern spacecraft generate terabytes of high resolution, high sample rate image or RF data daily. Downlinking this massive volume of raw data to Earth is a bottleneck, consuming limited bandwidth and massive amounts of time.
- Latency and Distance: For missions beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO), such as to the Moon or Mars, communication latency (time delay) can be minutes or even hours. This delay makes real-time, critical decision-making from Earth impossible. Even for LEO based spacecraft can observe increase latency with the availability of global ground stations.
Space edge processors such as Infinity Avionics Brain Processor directly addresses these challenges by equipping satellites with powerful computers capable of running sophisticated algorithms, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) models.
Key Benefits of Space Edge Processing
By processing data at the source, Space Edge Processing unlocks crucial advantages for space operations:
1. Reduced Latency and Increased Autonomy
Local processing enables near real-time decision-making. The capability is critical to support advanced space applications such as Rendezvous, Proximity Operations & Docking or In-Space Manufacturing. The edge processors will enable collection and processing of the data to make real time decision making enabling autonomous space systems.
2. Optimized Bandwidth and Cost Reduction
Instead of transmitting terabytes of raw, redundant, low value, or cloud-covered imagery, the onboard processor can filter, compress, and analyze the data, transmitting only the essential, high-value information—such as an anomaly alert, a cropped image of interest, or final classified results. This significantly reduces the volume of data transmitted, slashing communication costs and freeing up bandwidth for other critical operations.
3. Sensor Fusion
With the availability of data retrieval, processing, and storage capability, space edge processors can enable smart sensor fusion by combining two or more sensor feeds to generate more detailed and informative data. For example, combining different camera feeds with different spectral responses can enhance the value of data applied to applications such as earth observation and space domain awareness.
4. Enhanced Security and Resilience
Decentralized processing means that not all critical data is routed through a single, centralized ground station network. This distributed architecture enhances the overall resilience of the system. Furthermore, sensitive processing can occur onboard, closer to its source, which can aid in meeting data privacy and sovereignty requirements.
Challenges with Space Edge Processing
1. Space Radiation
Most of the readily available and cost-effective AI processors are not radiation tolerant
Most of the readily available AI processors for space are designed based on processing platforms designed for terrestrial applications such as Nvidia Jetson platforms. These platforms are not radiation tolerant nor comes with any additional protection for radiation.
NASA and several other organisations have conducted some radiation tests on popular GPU platforms and identified the suitability of terrestrial GPU modules for low mission critical low earth orbit space missions.
However, additional radiation protection measures against single even upsets, redundance mechanisms, and additional radiation shielding must be considered when utilising terrestrial AI processing platforms for space applications.
2. Power Consumption and Thermal Management
AI capable edge processing platforms typically consume large amounts of power (10W to over 100W) depending on their edge processing capability and processing efficiency. Due to the high-power consumption, the edge processor and its use cases must be carefully considered during power planning and budgeting to ensure availability of full processing power throughout the mission.
Additionally, as the device power consumption increases, the thermal dissipation increases as well. Careful consideration must be made to ensure proper colling mechanisms are implemented throughout the mission lifetime to ensure the processor system is maintained within the intended operating temperature range.
Edge Processing with Infinity Avionics BRAIN Processor
BRAIN Space Edge Processor is a Jetson Orin NX based processing platform designed for space applications. The processing platform is designed with single event detection and protection circuits for power rails, aluminium enclosure to support radiation shielding, proven thermal interfaces, and optional composite based radiation shielding. BRAIN enables up to 100 TOPS of high-performance parallel processing capability for AI and data processing.
BRAIN Processor Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Processor | NVIDIA Ampere architecture GPU Arm Cortex-A78AE CPU |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| NVMe | 256 GB |
| Power Consumption | Idle Power 7.5W Maximum Power 30 W |
| Communication Interfaces | 1 x Gigabit Ethernet 1 x USB3 1 x USB2 1 x Debug Serial (UART / RS422) 1 x TS485 1 x UART 16 x GPIO |
| Form Factor | 100 mm x 100 mm x 34 mm (without additional radiation shield) |
| Weight | 540 g (without additional radiation shield) |
| Radiation Protection | Single event upset detection and protection Aluminium enclosure for added radiation shielding Optional composite based radiation shield Jetson Orin NX was tested up to 30krad TID (third part tests) |
BRAIN Space Edge Processing Platform is designed to support easy software development and porting with readily available Jetson development kits for Jetson Orin NX, providing low-cost software and algorithm development and testing.
Additionally, the processing platform supports configurable power modes to adopt power consumption of the device based on mission and processing needs.
Conclusion
As space missions continue their trajectory toward increased complexity and generate an ever-growing deluge of data, the capability to process data on orbit transitions from a luxury to an essential necessity. This is vital to support autonomous space systems for future In-Space Manufacturing (ISM), Rendezvous, Proximity Operations & Docking (RPOD), Space Situational Awareness (SSA), and surveillance missions.
Currently, most of the readily available space edge processors are not designed with radiation tolerant or radiation hardened processor systems and hence it is vital to incorporate additional protection and redundant mechanisms when utilising such processing platforms for space applications.
The Infinity Avionics BRAIN processor, with its focus on balancing high-performance AI capability with critical radiation protection and efficient thermal management, represents a viable, cost-effective, and low-mass solution. It empowers mission designers to finally harness the power of AI at the source, ensuring that space operations remain agile, resilient, and ready for the next era of space exploration.