The U.S. Department of Defense, leveraging the CHIPS Act, has allocated $5.9 million to Arizona State University’s (ASU) Southwest Advanced Prototyping (SWAP) Hub
The U.S. Department of Defense, leveraging the CHIPS Act, has allocated $5.9 million to Arizona State University’s (ASU) Southwest Advanced Prototyping (SWAP) Hub for an innovative project on Spaceborne Low Energy AI Computing (SLEAC). This project aims to extend the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) to satellites, enhancing space-based data processing while conserving energy.
Dr. Calvin Chan, a Senior Research Associate at the National Security Initiative (NSI), will lead the University of Colorado’s (CU) role as a partner institution in this effort. The SLEAC team, with CU’s support, will focus on developing secure and efficient AI systems specifically designed to function in the challenging environment of low Earth orbit. By embedding AI within satellites, SLEAC aims to enable real-time data analysis and decision-making, which will significantly reduce reliance on Earth-based computing and minimize transmission delays.
The CHIPS Act’s support for SLEAC underscores the government’s commitment to advancing space technology and the national security applications of AI. With this funding, CU and ASU are poised to make substantial strides in creating resilient, low-energy AI solutions for space, aligning academia with critical defense technology objectives and setting new standards in spaceborne computing capabilities.