CU Boulder joins Arizona State University to bring energy-efficient artificial intelligence to satellites

CU Boulder is leading the development of secure and resilient solutions for a $5.9 million Department of Defense CHIPS Act-funded project awarded to the Microelectronic Commons’ Southwest Advanced Prototyping Hub. The project—Spaceborne Low Energy AI Computing—aims to bring energy-efficient artificial intelligence to satellites, enabling real-time data analysis and reducing reliance on Earth-based systems.

Tamara Lehman, assistant professor in electrical, computer and energy engineering, and Calvin Chan, senior principal research associate at the Center for National Security Initiatives and research professor in electrical, computer and energy engineering, are teaming across a collaborative, multi-institutional team to integrate secure, resilient and efficient AI systems designed to function in the challenging environment of low Earth orbit.

This project will make substantial strides in enabling AI solutions for space, aligning with critical national security technology objectives and setting new standards in spaceborne computing capabilities.