Vision and Roadmap for the Next Generation of Spaceflight Computing

Over the past two decades, the RAD750 computer from BAE systems has played a crucial role as the primary computer at the core of NASA's and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's (JPL) flight avionics systems. However, due to its aging status and insufficient performance to meet the computing requirements of future missions, it is nearing the end of its lifespan. Fortunately, the landscape of spaceflight computing options has significantly evolved, offering a wide range of alternatives compared to 20 years ago. This transformation is attributed to the growth of commercial space, the integration of computers into everyday life (especially in the automotive industry), and the overall advancements in semiconductor technology. To address the objectives outlined in the 2022 Planetary Sciences Decadal Survey, JPL acknowledges the need to reconsider spacecraft design, development, deployment, and operation. The increasing demand for autonomy in both scientific research and operations is driving a need to improve and enhance on-board data handling and computing capabilities to meet mission requirements. In this paper, we outline some of the key and driving requirements that are driving the development of the next generation of spacecraft computing. Additionally, we explore what we believe are the foundational building blocks necessary for architecting and constructing an avionics system that meets these requirements. We introduce the concept of building architectures centered around SpaceVPX, Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) Ethernet, and the High-Performance Space Computer (HPSC), a project currently under development in collaboration with NASA Space Mission Technology Directorate (STMD) and Microchip Technology Inc. Lastly, we will offer a vision and roadmap that outlines JPL's projections for the evolution of flight computers over the next 510 years along with some insights to the stepping stones we envision as we move towards the HPSC computer.