CSE - Computing in Spaceflight Project Development

NASA has never made a request of the computing industry that cannot be realized with current state-of-the-art technology. However, computer scientists and engineers have adapted their design practices to meet the challenges of spaceflight. In this project, students will develop educational modules for legacy spaceflight computing systems, modern systems for supporting manned spaceflight, and incident reports. They will continue the development of projects on a Virtual Apollo Guidance Computer Display Keyboard. They will also work on the development of modules for High-Performance Space Computing (HPSC) design principles, including fault tolerance, radiation hardening, demand for onboard computing resources, complete platform security, and adoption of industrial standards for project development. They will develop design examples on RISC-V Prototyping Board.

Name of research group, project, or lab
The Morrison VLSI Lab
Why join this research group or lab?

Space is dangerous. This statement may seem intuitive, but this concept is of the utmost criticality when designing hardware and software for spaceflight. We will develop modules for the future Computing in Spaceflight course where students will learn the importance of the seven HPSC design principles. 

  1. Performance per Watt
  2. Use of industry standards
  3. High-Speed Interface and Extensibility
  4. Hardware Supported Time and Space Partitioning
  5. High Fault Tolerance, Reliability, and Availability
  6. High Radiation Hardening and Tolerance
  7. Complete Platform Security 

Furthermore, you will learn about the concept of ground-based analogs, which is the study of how spaceflight-like conditions may be replicated on Earth before incurring the costly expense of testing in space. Students will take away that these engineering principles will benefit their careers on Earth as well as Space, regardless of which fields they work in upon graduation.

Logistics Information:
Project categories
Computer Science & Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Student ranks applicable
Senior
Graduate Student
Student qualifications

Completion of Computer Architecture (CSE 30321) or Digital Integrated Circuits (CSE 30342) with a grade of B or better.

Hours per week
2 credits / 6-12 hours
3 credits / 12+ hours
Compensation
Research for Credit
Number of openings
8
Techniques learned

Programming and design on the Virtual Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC) Display Keyboard (DSKY), as well as prototyping RISC-V boards to demonstrate HPSC Design Principles.

Project start
Fall 2025
Contact Information:
Mentor
mmorri22@nd.edu
Associate Teaching Professor
Name of project director or principal investigator
Matthew Morrison
Email address of project director or principal investigator
matt.morrison@nd.edu
8 sp. | 6 appl.
Hours per week
2 credits / 6-12 hours (+1)
2 credits / 6-12 hours3 credits / 12+ hours
Project categories
Electrical Engineering (+1)
Computer Science & EngineeringElectrical Engineering