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Lunar Outpost to use Nvidia Jetson chips for LiDAR control on moon rover
Key points
- Lunar Outpost's next rover will use Nvidia Jetson chips.
- Jetson chips will control the rover's LiDAR system.
- This could be the first GPU on the moon.
- NASA funds private lunar exploration missions.
Nvidia Jetson Chips Headed to the Moon
Lunar Outpost, a space infrastructure robotics startup, announced that its upcoming moon rover will integrate Nvidia Jetson chips. These chips are designated to manage the rover's LiDAR system, which is used for environmental sensing and navigation. This deployment is anticipated to be the first instance of a GPU operating on the lunar surface.
Push for Advanced Computing in Space
Justin Cyrus, CEO of Lunar Outpost, stated the company is evaluating the Nvidia Jetson platform against existing spaceflight compute platforms. The goal is to adopt more capable GPU-powered systems for extreme environments like the moon. This move reflects a broader trend towards incorporating advanced computing into space missions.
NASA's Lunar Exploration Program
NASA is funding private companies to explore the lunar surface, preceding plans to return human astronauts by 2028. This program encourages tech companies to develop vehicles equipped with scientific sensors to study lunar terrain and identify resources such as water. These missions contribute to mapping the moon and understanding its potential for future exploitation.
Jetson Platform's Role in Space
Nvidia's Jetson platform, known for its compact size and power efficiency, enables robotic systems to process sensor inputs locally. This capability allows for quicker understanding and reaction to surroundings. Nvidia also recently partnered with Firefly Aerospace to use the Jetson platform on a satellite orbiting the moon for imagery processing, supporting lunar mapping and tracking surface robots.
Upcoming Lunar Missions
Lunar Outpost's next rover will be carried by a lander built by Intuitive Machines. This rover is designed to explore difficult-to-reach areas like craters. A subsequent mission will investigate Reiner Gamma, a lunar location with a magnetic anomaly. Both missions are scheduled to launch on Falcon 9 rockets before the end of the year.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
Lunar Outpost announced its next moon rover will use Nvidia Jetson chips to control its LiDAR system, marking a potential first for GPUs on the lunar surface. This deployment is part of NASA's initiative to fund private companies for lunar exploration, aiming to map terrain and locate resources.