Articles, Projects and Case Studies
A Modular PolarFire SoC FPGA-Based Command & Data Handling Solution for Rockets
CAVU A Modular PolarFire SoC FPGA-Based Command & Data Handling Solution for Rockets CAVU Aerospace UK Modern launch vehicles demand avionics platforms capable of deterministic
Managing NVIDIA-Based Onboard Computing with Radiative Cooling and Intelligent Thermal Control
CAVU Managing NVIDIA-Based Onboard Computing with Radiative Cooling and Intelligent Thermal Control CAVU Aerospace UK The rapid adoption of AI in space is driving an
Mars Global Localization and AI-Powered Autonomous Exploration
CAVU Mars Global Localization and AI-Powered Autonomous Exploration Credit: NASA- JPL CAVU Aerospace UK As humanity pushes deeper into the Solar System, robotic explorers must
New Athena to expand Humanity Knowledge on Deep Space
CAVU New Athena to expand Humanity Knowledge on Deep Space CAVU Aerospace UK ESA’s Next-Generation X-ray Observatory Poised to Transform Our Understanding of the Hot
Enabling Autonomous Lunar Exploration with OBC-Hyper-Polar and NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin
CAVU Enabling Autonomous Lunar Exploration with OBC-Hyper-Polar and NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin CAVU Aerospace UK As lunar exploration enters a new era, mission developers are
AI Satellites, Space-Based Solar Power, and the Path to a Kardashev Type II Civilization
CAVU AI Satellites, Space-Based Solar Power, and the Path to a Kardashev Type II Civilization CAVU Aerospace UK As artificial intelligence advances and global energy
Why a Jetson Alone Is Not a Space Edge AI Computer?
CAVU Why a Jetson Alone Is Not a Space Edge AI Computer? AA, CTO @CAVU Aerospace You cannot put a Jetson on a satellite, attach
Why humanity is building lunar base before going into Mars & deep space
CAVU Why humanity is building lunar base before going into Mars & deep space We are seeing several robotic missions under development for lunar surface
Engineering Model vs. Flight Model for COTS-Based LEO Missions
CAVU Engineering Model vs. Flight Model for COTS-Based LEO Missions The rapid growth of the commercial space sector has led to widespread adoption of Commercial-Off-The-Shelf
Chromate Conversion Coating vs Black Anodizing for Spaceborne Electronics Chassis
CAVU Chromate Conversion Coating vs Black Anodizing for Spaceborne Electronics Chassis Spaceborne electronics such as On-Board Computers, Power Units, communication systems, and payload electronics are
The Barbecue Roll: Thermal Management for Deep-Space Travel
CAVU The Barbecue Roll: Thermal Management for Deep-Space Travel Deep-space spacecraft are exposed to intense solar radiation on the side facing the Sun while the
External magnetic-isolation board on OBC-Cube-Polar
CAVU External magnetic-isolation board on OBC-Cube-Polar The Standard version of OBC-Cube-Polar 1G Ethernet outputs is implemented as compact capacitively-coupled Ethernet interfaces from 10/100/1000 voltage-mode copper
Mars Flyby Images with Multispectral Imager with resolution 1.14 kilometers per pixel
CAVU Mars Flyby Images with Multispectral Imager with resolution 1.14 kilometers per pixel Credit: NASA-JPL, Arizona State University In May 2026, NASA released a remarkable
Autonomous Fault Detection, Isolation and Recovery in OnBoard Computers
CAVU Autonomous Fault Detection, Isolation and Recovery in OnBoard Computers How we build resilient space computing through layered FDIR? Spacecraft onboard computers must continue operating
Current limit for the input/output GPIO pins of OBC-Cube-Polar
CAVU Current limit for the input/output GPIO pins of OBC-Cube-Polar The 24 GPIOs in OBC-Cube-Polar are split into four electrical groups: GPIO group Implementation Recommended
Peripheral boards to improve interface capability & modular design, Case: OBC-Hyper-Polar
CAVU Peripheral boards to improve interface capability & modular design, Case: OBC-Hyper-Polar The OBC-HYPER-2 is a compact, high-performance onboard computer based on the Microchip PolarFire
Software Development Support for Mission-Critical Space Applications
CAVU Software Development Support for Mission-Critical Space Applications The success of a spacecraft mission depends equally on the reliability, maintainability, and flexibility of the both
Military-Grade Security by Design™, Microchip PolarFire
CAVU Military-Grade Security by Design™, Microchip PolarFire Credit: Microchip Technologies CAVU Aerospace, Authorized Design Partner of Microchip Trusted Hardware. Design Security. Data Security. In defense,
Flight Computers Role in Engine-Out Capability, Lessons from Starship Flight 12
CAVU Flight Computers Role in Engine-Out Capability, Lessons from Starship Flight 12 When discussing engine-out capability, the focus is often placed on propulsion hardware. A
Reliable On-Board Computer Performance in Extreme Space Temperatures
CAVU Reliable On-Board Computer Performance in Extreme Space Temperatures The Challenge of High-Temperature Electronics in Space Applications & Our Solutions Modern spacecraft rely heavily on
Asteroid Psyche, Next Cool in Deep-Space Exploration
CAVU Asteroid Psyche, Next Cool in Deep-Space Exploration Credit: NASA Among the countless asteroids orbiting in asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, few have captured
High-Performance Spaceflight Computing 2026
CAVU High-Performance Spaceflight Computing 2026 HPSC is a next-generation system-on-a-chip designed to deliver more than 100 times the computing performance of today’s space-qualified processors. The
TCU for Active Thermal Control in Space Applications
CAVU TCU for Active Thermal Control in Space Applications Credit: NASA, SpaceX Temperature in atmosphere re-entry from orbit can go to 1700 degree while from
A Satellite OBC Is Not Just a Microcontroller Board with a CubeSat Connector
CAVU A Satellite OBC Is Not Just a Microcontroller Board with a CubeSat Connector Amir Azadi CAVU Aerospace UK OBC-Cube-Polar — a Microchip PolarFire SoC-based
Embedded Vision Interface in Thermal Control Unit
CAVU Embedded Vision Interface in Thermal Control Unit The thermal subsystem has always been one of the most critical elements of spacecraft reliability. Traditionally, a
High-Reliability Boot & Recovery Architecture for PolarFire® SoC
CAVU High-Reliability Boot & Recovery Architecture for PolarFire® SoC Modern spacecraft and mission-critical embedded systems cannot tolerate software boot failures. A corrupted bootloader, damaged Linux
VxWorks Capability on OBC PolarFire Platforms
CAVU VxWorks Capability on OBC PolarFire Platforms The increasing complexity of modern spacecraft missions is driving demand for onboard computing platforms capable of deterministic real-time
Video Recording Solutions with Military Standards, MIL810H & MIL-1275
CAVU Video Recording Solutions with Military Standards, MIL810H & MIL-1275 VREC-264 is an onboard computer based on Microchip PolarFire FPGA SoC. For MIL std qualification,
Thermal Control and Pointing Stability in Satellite Camera Systems
CAVU Thermal Control and Pointing Stability in Satellite Camera Systems Spaceborne imaging systems operate in one of the most unforgiving environments imaginable. Unlike terrestrial cameras,
TCU Operating Voltage & Total Instantaneous Power delivered to Heaters
CAVU TCU Operating Voltage & Total Instantaneous Power delivered to Heaters TCU can be operated in 28-75 V. But operating voltage & heaters ohm affects
CAVU High-precision, very low-noise instrumentation system with PolarFire OnBoard Computers (High-speed ADC/DAC function) We usually have onboard computers with a single peripheral board for ADC/DAC
SUPERVISOR IMPLEMENTATION, BOOT CONTROL AND DIAGNOSTICS on OBC-Hyper-Polar
CAVU SUPERVISOR IMPLEMENTATION, BOOT CONTROL AND DIAGNOSTICS on OBC-Hyper-Polar WHERE THE SUPERVISOR LIVES The supervisor on the OBC HYPER-2 is not a separate FPGA or ASIC.
Moon Rovers & Lunar-Base Missions, Elements of Multiplanetary Life for Human
CAVU Moon Rovers & Lunar-Base Missions, Elements of Multiplanetary Life for Human The most widely accepted explanation for the Moon’s formation is the Giant Impact
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter for Mapping the Future of Space Exploration
CAVU Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter for Mapping the Future of Space Exploration Pictures Credit: NASA Space exploration is not just about curiosity or technological ambition—it is
CAVU Why Satellites Are Not Detected in Orion Captures; Case: CAVU LDU 51MP 200FPS Camera for Space Surveillance Applications Credit: NASA With recent images shared
Ultimate Interface Capability in OBC-PolarFire SpaceVPX
CAVU Ultimate Interface Capability in OBC-PolarFire SpaceVPX The OBC-PF-VPX is a 3U SpaceVPX (VITA 78) System Controller built on the Microchip PolarFire® SoC (MPFS460T / MPFS460TS). Its flash-based
CAVU Intelligent Imaging Solution with LDU Camera Series, Integrating Sony Sensors, PolarFire FPGA, and NVIDIA Jetson As aerospace missions demand increasingly sophisticated imaging capabilities, the
Implementing a Radiation-Tolerant OBC with 6×1Gb Ethernet Using PolarFire SoC FPGA
CAVU Implementing a Radiation-Tolerant OBC with 6×1Gb Ethernet Using PolarFire SoC FPGA As spacecraft architectures evolve toward distributed, high-throughput systems, the On-Board Computer (OBC) is
Embedded Networking Protocols in Thermal Control Units: FTP & gRPC Explained
CAVU Advanced Networking & Control Capabilities in the Thermal Control Unit, FTP, gRPC We continue to push the boundaries of embedded avionics systems with the
CAVU The data recorder solutions with coaxpress interface Case: 24 Gbps of raw data over 4 lines of a minimum of cxp3 Case: For some
CAVU Thermal Management Solutions Flight Proven, Test verified: EMC, Vibration, Shock, TVAC, Radiation, Burn-In, Open-Source Application TCU-1 Input: 110 (Thermistor, Thermocouple, RTD) Output: 48 Heaters
Enabling Thermal Stability for Deep Space Missions, 1% Closer to Sun
CAVU Enabling Thermal Stability for Deep Space Missions, 1% Closer to Sun As spacecraft venture deeper into the Solar System, thermal management becomes one of
Captures from Saturn’s auroral emissions are similar to Earth’s Northern Lights
CAVU Captures from Saturn’s auroral emissions are similar to Earth’s Northern Lights Credit: NASA Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph was one of the most important payloads at
High-Precision Optical Compensation Mechanism for Dual-Environment Camera Calibration
CAVU High-Precision Optical Compensation Mechanism for Dual-Environment Camera Calibration Modern space imaging systems must operate reliably in both atmospheric test environments and the vacuum of
Peripheral boards on OnBoard Computers for ADCs & DACs
CAVU Peripheral boards on OnBoard Computers for ADCs & DACs Usually from mission’s description on sensor readout and control systems, project developers are looking for
Using the Doppler Effect to Monitor Cassini’s Orbital Insertion
CAVU Using the Doppler Effect to Monitor Cassini’s Orbital Insertion When Cassini approached Saturn in 2004, one of the most critical phases was Saturn Orbit
Gravity-Assisted Space Travel – Case: Cassini Journey to Saturn
CAVU Gravity-Assisted Space Travel – Case: Cassini Journey to Saturn Deep-space missions require enormous amounts of energy to travel across the Solar System. Launch vehicles
Buffer Speed at PolarFire OnBoard computers GPIOs
CAVU Buffer Speed at PolarFire OnBoard Computers GPIOs For the OBC-Cube-Polar GPIOs, the “buffer speed” depends on which GPIO group you use (because the 24
Live Data Management in Thermal Control, Programmable Logging Rate in TCU
CAVU Live Data Management in Thermal Control, Programmable Logging Rate in TCU Satellite developers are quite often concerned with downlink constraints. Usually, spacecrafts will not
gRPC Communication Protocol for Payload Systems, Case: TCU
CAVU gRPC Communication Protocol for Payload Systems, Case: TCU This document describes the use of the gRPC communication protocol on the Ethernet interfaces of the
H.264 Video recording solutions; Trade-off between compression efficiency and robustness
CAVU H.264 Video recording solutions; Trade-off between compression efficiency and robustness These encoders are built on our OBC-Polar computing platform series (PolarFire SoC based), with
Temperature Channel Architecture and Sensor Grouping in Thermal Control Units
CAVU Temperature Channel Architecture and Sensor Grouping in Thermal Control Units Temperature Control Units (TCUs) are frequently required to interface with multiple temperature sensor types,
PWM vs Linear Control in Satellite Thermal Control
CAVU PWM vs Linear Control in Satellite Thermal Control At Cavu Aerospace UK, we have developed and manufactured advanced Thermal Control Units (TCUs) for satellite
Lowering the Barrier to Space Imaging for CubeSat and SmallSat Operators
CAVU Lowering the Barrier to Space Imaging for CubeSat and SmallSat Operators Access to high-performance Earth observation imagery should not be limited by long lead
Reliable LEO OBCs: Smart Cost Optimization
CAVU Partially Radiation-Tolerant OBC Architectures for LEO Missions: A Cost-Optimized Reliability Approach In Low Earth Orbit (LEO), where satellites typically operate at altitudes of about
Instrument Control Unit, Integrated Subsystem for Spaceborne Applications
CAVU Instrument Control Unit, Integrated Subsystem for Spaceborne Applications Instrument Control Unit (ICU) is redefining how spacecraft manage payload operations and thermal regulation within a
AI as a Multi-Layer Infrastructure in Space Industry
CAVU AI as a Multi-Layer Infrastructure in Space Industry Due to fantastic improvement in AI models like ChatGPT, Grok etc in 2024/ 2025, Most people
Transformerless Ethernet using Capacitive Coupling in Embedded and Backplane Systems
CAVU Transformerless Ethernet using Capacitive Coupling in Embedded and Backplane Systems Introduction Ethernet interfaces traditionally use magnetics (transformers) to provide galvanic isolation and common-mode noise
Space Surveillance Cameras for Orbital Debris Monitoring and On-Orbit Self-Defense Applications
CAVU Space Surveillance Cameras for Orbital Debris Monitoring and On-Orbit Self-Defense Applications The rapid growth of satellite constellations and orbital infrastructure has significantly increased the
How Starship’s Full Reusability Reduces Space Launch Costs by 100x
CAVU How Starship’s Full Reusability Reduces Space Launch Costs by 100x SpaceX has revolutionized space launch technology by developing commercial space sector with its Falcon
Space Exploration Then and Now: From Apollo Moon Landings to Commercial Spaceflight
Space Exploration Then and Now: From Apollo Moon Landings to Commercial Spaceflight Space exploration has changed dramatically since the 1970s. What began as a government-driven
Radiation Tolerance of OnBoard Computers, Analysis & TID Test Procedures
CAVU Radiation Tolerance of OnBoard Computers Analysis & TID Test Procedures Introduction Spacecraft electronics are continuously exposed to energetic particles originating from: the Earth’s radiation
Modular PIC64‑HPSC Single‑Board Computer Platform for Next‑Generation Satellite Payload Processing
CAVU Modular PIC64 HPSC Single Board Computer Platform for Next Generation Satellite Payload Processing Modern satellite missions increasingly demand on‑board processing capabilities that go far
CAVU HYPR-POLAR vs. Cube-Polar Comparison Summary Feature OBC-HYPR-Polar OBC-Cube-Polar Ethernet Dual GbE (opt. 10G) Dual GbE (opt. 10G) SpaceWire Yes Yes RS-422 4 4 RS-485
Camera blur behaviour in Space Systems
CAVU Camera blur behaviour in Space Systems The CubeSat cameras are usually designed as a high-resolution imaging payload for LEO satellites, with its optics focused
Vibration Analysis of Thermal Control Unit
CAVU Vibration Analysis of Thermal Control Unit Vibration analysis is a critical component of mechanical qualification for spaceborne electronics. During launch and ascent, avionics hardware
Manufacturing Tolerance in Space Optics Design
Manufacturing Tolerance in Space Optics Design Designing optical systems for space is fundamentally different from designing for terrestrial environments. In orbit and during launch, optical
Smart active temperature control in satellites
Smart active temperature control in satellites Maintaining precise thermal control in satellites is a critical requirement for mission success. The harsh space environment, characterized by
Why Interface Capability in an OnBoard Computer Matters
Why Interface Capability in an On-Board Computer Matters In any spacecraft, the on-board computer acts as the central nervous system, coordinating payloads, avionics, communications, and
A technology isn’t truly mature if it’s expensive and complicated!
A technology isn’t truly mature if it’s expensive and complicated! By: Amir Azadi, Chief Tech. Officer- CAVU AEROSPACE UK Jan 2026 🚀 Our best-selling OBC-Polar
Flash vs SRAM FPGAs in Space: What Many Projects Overlook About Radiation
Flash vs SRAM FPGAs in Space: What Many Projects Overlook About Radiation By: Amir Azadi, Chief Tech. Officer – CAVU AEROSPACE UK Dec 2025 One
Selective Data Capture with Edge Computers
Selective Data Capture with Edge Computers Flight proven edge computers are: Tartan Edge – PolarFire SoC + NVIDIA Jetson Xavier NX Polar Edge –
How effectively NVIDIA Jetson chips can be operating in GEO radiation?
How effectively NVIDIA Jetson chips can be operating in GEO radiation? Here is three primary architectures for edge computers, Microchip PolarFire FPGA paired with NVIDIA
How much does it cost to breathe local oxygen for a day on Mars?
How much does it cost to breathe local oxygen for a day on Mars? Only proven technology to produce oxygen on Mars is Moxie unit
A Mars–Sun L1 Shield: Defending the Red Planet from Radiation
A Mars–Sun L1 Shield: Defending the Red Planet from Radiation As humanity looks toward Mars not merely as a destination but as a future home,
Edge Computing, Enables the satellite to think!
Edge Computing, Enables the satellite to think! OBC-Polar Vs. OBC-Polar-Edge These edge computing solutions combine radiation-tolerant Microchip PolarFire FPGAs with NVIDIA Jetson Orin modules, delivering
Space Mobiles, Direct to Cell Internet, How Uplink is possible?
Space Mobiles, Direct to Cell Internet, How Uplink is possible? Direct-to-cell (D2C) satellite internet—like what SpaceX (Starlink Direct-to-Cell) and AST SpaceMobile are building—is possible mainly
Compare OBC-104 & Cube-Polar We offer two primary On-Board Computer platforms in the CubeSat form factor: OBC-104 and OBC-Cube-Polar. Both platforms are technically competitive in
Microchip PIC64-Based AI Supercomputing for Space
Microchip PIC64-Based AI Supercomputing for Space Next-generation AI-capable OBC based on Microchip PIC64 technology, designed to deliver supercomputer-class performance per watt while maintaining the robustness
Multi-Planetary Life, The Red Planet will shine blue once more!
Multi-Planetary Life, The Red Planet will shine blue once more! A great science fiction story is about to be no longer a fiction! Human civilization’s
CAVU Smart Development Strategy, Accelerated Development with Minimum costs Case: OBC-Hyper-Polar Modular Architecture CAVU Aerospace UK The New Space industry has transformed the way satellites
NEPP (NASA Electronic Parts and Packaging) findings on Radiation Tolerance PolarFire FPGA
NEPP (NASA Electronic Parts and Packaging) findings on Radiation Tolerance PolarFire FPGA NEPP has tested or reported on Microchip/Microsemi PolarFire FPGAs in radiation environments, providing
Real-Time Video Capture by PolarFire FPGA
Real-Time Video Capture by PolarFire FPGA Case: Alvium1800 C-240 Cameras Connecting two Alvium 1800 C-240 cameras to a PolarFire FPGA for real-time video capture at
Case study: Lost Navigation Image on Ingenuity Flight Six
Onboard Image Processing on Ingenuity: Pioneering flight on a world beyond Earth. Case study: Lost Navigation Image on Flight Six Ingenuity must fly autonomously on
19 Optical Payloads on Perseverance Rover for Entry, Descent & Landing
19 Optical Payloads on Perseverance Rover for Entry, Descent & Landing These three cameras captured Perseverance’s descent to the Martian surface, helping engineers reconstruct the
C&DH, Curiosity (2011) vs. Perseverance (2020)
C&DH, Curiosity (2011) vs. Perseverance (2020) Core Processing Hardware Curiosity Processor: BAE Systems RAD750 (radiation-hardened PowerPC 750 derivative). Clock: ~200 MHz (designed for space reliability).
Flash vs SRAM FPGAs in Space: What Many Projects Overlook About Radiation
Flash vs SRAM FPGAs in Space: What Many Projects Overlook About Radiation How about flying a “radiation-hardened Zynq-7000” as satellite onboard computer – and even
Thermal Management in Satellites: The Role of CAVU Aerospace’s Thermal Control Unit
Thermal Management in Satellites: The Role of CAVU Aerospace’s Thermal Control Unit Thermal management is a mission-critical function in satellite systems. In the vacuum of
Powered by Onboard Intelligence, Alone at Mars
Powered by Onboard Intelligence, Alone at Mars When Perseverance began its Entry, Descent, and Landing sequence on Mars, it was operating in a fully onboard
Planetary Defense Missions We are often asked why billions of dollars are invested in space technology. One compelling answer comes from a CAVU Aerospace engagement
How about AI assisted OBC on Perseverance Mars Rover
How about AI assisted OBC on Perseverance Mars Rover Perseverance is one of the most successful instruments landed on Mars from 2021 & still working
A quick insight into the facts behind our products’ reliability and processing power: Polar Edge
A quick insight into the facts behind our products’ reliability and processing power: Polar Edge Microchip’s flash-based PolarFire FPGA SoC combined with NVIDIA Jetson processors
CAVU Aerospace custom daughterboards on OBCs
Addon cards can significantly improve the interface capabilities of a CubeSat onboard computer by expanding its functionality, enhancing data acquisition, and supporting mission-specific hardware. Here’s
OBC-Polar Rockets Flight Computers, When precision in PCB matters
Flight computers are used in aircraft, spacecraft, drones, and satellites where every cubic centimetre is precious. Design is always a compromise of different constraints: Size
Latch-Up Protection – Phenomenon and Strategy
Latch-up in CMOS technology is caused by ionizing particles (e.g., heavy ions) creating parasitic paths between power and ground, often forming a parasitic SCR (thyristor
Transformerless Ethernet using Capacitive Coupling in Embedded and Backplane Systems
Ethernet interfaces traditionally use magnetics (transformers) to provide galvanic isolation and common-mode noise rejection. However, in tightly integrated embedded systems or backplane designs, transformerless Ethernet
When we say a product is developed, we truly mean it! Nearly all CAVU Aerospace products come with comprehensive analytical reports since 2017. These documents
OBC Radiation Analysis, COTS or Rad-Tol. components ?
For low earth orbit missions, there is always a question how to choose among Rad-Hard, Rad-Tol & COTS components for satellite & launch vehicle avionics.
Space data for environmental monitoring will be in much better place in 2025
ESA Biomass satellite will be launched in few days, uses P-band SAR data. P-band SAR data helps monitor trees by using its long wavelengths to
???? When Do We Really Need Enclosure Boxes for PCBs in Satellite and Launch Vehicle Systems? In the mechanical integration of On-Board Computers (OBCs) within
