Novel Mitigation Techniques for Reconfigurable Computers for Space Based Applications

ABSTRACT: Space Micro has developed novel technologies for reconfigurable space computing that are ready for transition to operational systems.Sponsored by the United Launch Alliance (ULA) this effort will advance the maturity of these technologies to TRL 8 and enable a new propulsion capability in the U.S.The controller proposed for the advanced upper stage will include high speed processing, FPGA pre-processing and control, high voltage switching, and significant analog and digital IO.The controller unit will be designed for high reliability launch requirements.This CRP activity will result in a fully qualified controller design supported by performance and environmental testing.; BENEFIT: The propulsion controller will have immediate benefits to the Centaur Upper Stage propulsion systemwith a bottom line goal to enable a cryogenic vehicle to fly not only existing missions more effectively but enable highly variable or indeterminate missions with durations ranging into weeks and whose total delta-V, attitude control delta-V and power demands may be well outside present needs.Additional applications of the IVF controller include hosted payload interfaces that are highly flexible and could include high voltage switching, electric propulsion electronics, command and data handling for smallsats.