Intel unveils Starfire chip for space applications with advanced capabilities

Overview of Starfire SoC

Intel has unveiled the Starfire, a space-grade system-on-chip made for the U.S. government. This SoC comprises eight CPU cores alongside a three-tile neural processing unit (NPU) built on Intel's 18A technology, coupled with a four-core Xe GPU from an older Intel 3 process, all encapsulated in a single Foveros package.

Performance Specifications

Starfire will come in two versions, consuming 10 W and 35 W, capable of achieving performance levels of 45 and 75 TOPS respectively. The chips can operate across a wide temperature range of -55 to 125 degrees Celsius, ensuring reliability in space environments. Both configurations maintain a similar architecture, consisting of four Intel 18A performance cores, four efficiency cores, a three-tile NPU, and a Xe GPU with 64 execution units.

Comparison with Existing Space Processors

Starfire is designed to target an existing market dominated by BAE Systems' RAD750, which has been in use for over twenty years at much lower clock speeds (110 to 200 MHz) and performance levels. While the RAD750 has around 10.4 million transistors, Starfire represents a substantial leap in processing capability, especially for applications such as AI inference, as opposed to the traditional functions of telemetry and control.

Status and Future Developments

Intel has indicated that Starfire is currently undergoing radiation characterization, and while the specifications are notable, they are subject to change. Samples of the Starfire chip are expected to be available by Q3 2026, with the project being handled by Intel Government Technologies, emphasizing domestic manufacturing and competitive pricing.