White Paper

WHITE PAPER Advancing Signal and Data Processing for Space Payloads mrcy.com 2 mrcy.com 2 THE EVOLVING SPACE TECHNOLOGY LANDSCAPE When the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 in October 1957, space suddenly became a very real domain for U.S. national defense, as shown by the creation of both DARPA and NASA the following year. Sputnik sent radio signals back to Earth for 22 days on its three silver zinc batteries before burning up in the atmosphere exactly three months after its launch. Satellites and other space vehicles have come a long way since the beach-ball-size first artificial satellite. Today's satellites have an average lifespan of 5 to 15 years and can do far more than send and receive radio signals. They are now used for broadband internet, TV, observation, weather, intelligence, communications, security, defense, environmental health, and more. The electronic components used in these satellites and their on-orbit sensor processing subsystems have traditionally come with a high financial cost and long development timeline. This is due to their roots in government programs, the need for them to meet complex performance and testing requirements, and the large amount of testing required for every customized, mission-specific component. However, this technology landscape is evolving because the availability of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) microelectronics is quickly removing this roadblock to space. By applying advanced, secure packaging and upscreening techniques to COTS parts, space-ready components that meet extreme environmental requirements can now be developed and deployed at much lower costs and in much shorter time frames. This lowered entry barrier is enabling a satellite- and space-based data boom, opening the door to new missions and applications. For example, it has been especially helpful for the creation of satellite constellations such as SpaceX Starlink, which uses numerous connected and similar satellites and components to create one internet network. THE TECHNOLOGY DATA CHAIN The advanced components on modern space vehicles, which are relatively small for their power ful capabilities, include sensors capable of detecting radio frequency and microwave signals; visible, ultraviolet, and infrared light; gas emissions; and more. The big data collected by these sensors present an enormous oppor tunity to increase and strengthen our intelligence and technological capabilities. For example, continual access to this data can help provide greater situational awareness and decision-making abilities, whether the mission is hypersonic weapon threat mitigation, improved scientific data collection to address challenges like climate change, or on-orbit AI to improve image accuracy. One of the most critical aspects of modern space exploration is how we manage signals and data in this vast, largely unchar ted environment. The landscape of space technology is rapidly evolving, significantly influencing defense- based applications that require advanced signal and data processing capabilities. As nations increasingly invest in space exploration and security, the demand for sophisticated technologies to manage and analyze vast amounts of data in extreme environments becomes increasingly critical. These advanced capabilities not only enhance the performance of military satellites and payloads but also provide crucial insights into potential threats and operational efficiencies. In this context, efficient and reliable signal and data processing solutions are essential for ensuring operational readiness and maintaining a strategic edge in defense and security operations in space. Mercur y 's SCFE6933 6U SpaceVPX board with AMD Versal SOCs uses AI engines to increase performance by 5X for vector-based algorithms.

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