A remote sensing lab in space

Abstract

Cibola Flight Experiment is a small experimental satellite that hosts a reconfigurable computer payload. The configurable high speed processing unit has the power to do significant data compression and the flexibility to run a wide variety of applications. The reconfigurable computer is made up of networks of radiation tolerant SRAM-based Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). The ability to reconfigure provides the flexibility to do a lot of things not usually possible in a space environment. Payload algorithm development continued while the spacecraft was being integrated for launch rather than being frozen months in advance. A library of applications resides on the spacecraft, making theater-specific payload configuration possible. Applications are in an on-going state of development and improvements. This has allowed the project to adjust to spacecraft and payload anomalies, real-world signal environments and a wide range of post-launch needs.