Nvidia Sends GPU to the Moon

Lunar Outpost, a startup specializing in space infrastructure robotics, has announced that its next lunar rover will use Nvidia Jetson chips to control its lidar system. This will likely be the first GPU on the lunar surface. Lunar Outpost CEO Justin Cyrus noted that the company is comparing Jetson with its existing platform and aims to deploy more powerful GPU systems in extreme environments. NASA has launched a program to involve private companies in lunar exploration ahead of a potential astronaut landing by 2028. Nvidia also announced a partnership with Firefly Aerospace, where the Jetson platform will operate on a satellite for image processing. The Lunar Outpost rover will be launched on a Falcon 9 rocket before the end of the year. Using GPUs in space is challenging due to radiation and temperature fluctuations, but engineers hope it will make the vehicles more autonomous. Lunar Outpost also plans a larger rover, Pegasus, for transporting astronauts, which awaits a Blue Origin rocket.