Uppsala, 09 December 2025 – Rapidity Space and Frontgrade Gaisler are excited to announce their collaboration in the VAIAS project, a strategic initiative aimed at advancing energy-efficient, fault-tolerant AI computing for future space missions. The project is funded through the ESA Phi-Lab Sweden programme, led by RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, with contributions from ESA and Vinnova.
Central to the project is the Frontgrade Gaisler GR801, a next-generation processing platform that uniquely combines a radiation-tolerant NOEL-V RISC-V processor with BrainChip’s Akida neuromorphic processing engine, enabling reliable onboard inference at low power.
Rapidity Space will lead the development of AI and perception capabilities for the GR801 platform. This includes creating a neuromorphic event-based semantic segmentation demonstrator, showcasing how Akida’s architecture can process rapidly changing visual information for applications such as lightning detection, cloud-cover detection, change monitoring, collision avoidance, and rover traversability mapping.
In parallel, Rapidity will extend the LLVM toolchain with improved SIMD/SWAR support and enhanced NOEL-V optimizations, enabling efficient deployment of AI and data-parallel workloads under strict memory and energy constraints. Together, these deliverables broaden the GR801 software ecosystem and demonstrate mission-ready onboard perception for both Earth observation and planetary exploration.
“By advancing neuromorphic processing and efficient AI execution on the GR801, we are enabling spacecraft and robotic systems to interpret their environment and make informed decisions under extreme constraints. The work aligns closely with Rapidity’s Answer Project on autonomous navigation, strengthening the foundation for future fully integrated autonomy in space systems,” says Mattias Örth, CEO of Rapidity Space.
“The GR801 represents a major leap in onboard processing. By integrating a radiation-tolerant NOEL-V core with neuromorphic acceleration, and collaborating closely with Rapidity Space, we are building a robust ecosystem enabling customers to deploy advanced AI in challenging space environments,” says Sandi Habinc, General Manager of Frontgrade Gaisler.
About Rapidity Space
Rapidity Space is an Engineering Services company with deep expertise in space technology. We specialize in creating tailored solutions that address the unique challenges faced by our clients within fields like Software Engineering, FPGA development, Project Management and Export Compliance. Being more than just a service provider - Rapidity Space is your trusted partner in achieving your unique mission objectives and driving your business success. From initial concept to final delivery, we work alongside you to ensure mission success and operational excellence.
For more information, please visit www.rapidity-space.com
About Frontgrade Gaisler
Frontgrade Gaisler, a Frontgrade company, is a leading provider of radiation-hardened microprocessors and IP cores for critical applications, particularly in the space industry. The company’s processors are ideal for any space mission or other high-reliability application due to their reliability, fault tolerance, and radiation tolerance. Frontgrade Gaisler microprocessors can be found all over the solar system, from Mercury to Neptune.
About Frontgrade
Frontgrade Technologies is a multi-domain aerospace and defense hardware products company that engineers and manufactures certainty where failure isn’t an option. With more than 40 years of heritage in high-reliability electronics, we deliver mission-critical hardware that performs in the hardest, harshest, and highest-stakes environments. From deep space to missile defense, our products enable global awareness, precision engagement, and resilient protection across space, air, land, and maritime domains.
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