Micron Technology, the only U.S.-based manufacturer of memory, announced the release of the industry’s highest-density, radiation-tolerant single-level cell (SLC) NAND product. With a 256 gigabit (Gb) die capacity, this new NAND device marks the beginning of a robust portfolio that will include space-qualified NAND, NOR and DRAM solutions. Available now, the product is the first of its kind offered by a major memory manufacturer.
Supporting the Growth of the Space Economy
As the space economy experiences exponential growth, driven by increased commercial and government missions, the need for advanced, space-grade computing solutions continues to rise. The evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) and edge computing is reshaping operations in orbit – enabling spacecraft to process data locally, autonomously identify anomalies, and make mission-critical decisions without constant reliance on ground-based systems.
“Micron’s radiation-tolerant memory is essential for storing and processing data as we push the boundaries of computing in space,” said Kris Baxter, corporate vice president and general manager of Micron’s Automotive and Embedded Business Unit. “As AI expands in space operations – from autonomous navigation to real-time analysis – Micron is increasing our focus on delivering solutions that enable the resilience and intelligence needed for next-gen aerospace missions.”
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Proven Reliability: Supporting NASA’s Earth Science Missions
Micron brings decades of experience from the automotive and industrial sectors, where it has developed rugged embedded memory solutions for edge environments — from autonomous vehicles to factory floor automation.
Although this is Micron’s first officially space-qualified product, its memory solutions are already supporting active space missions through ongoing partnerships and testing initiatives.
One such partnership is with Mercury Systems, which integrates Micron’s NAND flash into its solid-state data recorders (SSDRs). These recorders are crucial for capturing large volumes of scientific and engineering data in space.
Currently, Micron memory is onboard NASA’s Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) mission — an imaging spectrometer developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and deployed to the International Space Station in 2022. Originally tasked with mapping mineral dust composition in arid regions, EMIT’s data now supports broader research in water resources, agriculture, and rare earth elements.
“Modern space systems are capturing higher volumes of more complex data, demanding solutions that provide vastly more capacity in compact packages — all while operating reliably in space’s high-radiation environment for many years,” said Vincent Pribble, principal product manager at Mercury Systems. “At the heart of Mercury’s data recorders, Micron’s flash memory has proven to be highly reliable in orbit — helping us enable groundbreaking missions and scientific research that is expanding our understanding of our planet and beyond.”