GPU4S: Major project outcomes, lessons learnt and way forward

Abstract

Embedded GPUs have been identified from both private and government space agencies as promising hardware technologies to satisfy the increased needs of payload processing. The GPU4S (GPU for Space) project funded from the European Space Agency (ESA) has explored in detail the feasibility and the benefit of using them for space workloads. Currently at the closing phases of the project, in this paper we describe the main project outcomes and explain the lessons we learnt. In addition, we provide some guidelines for the next steps towards their adoption in space.