Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) is preparing to launch the Spaceborne Computer-4, a fanless computing module designed for lunar operations. The system will be installed on the Astrolab FLIP rover, which is scheduled to operate near the lunar South Pole. The mission is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, with a launch planned for late 2026 aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
The module, measuring 130 by 250 by 25 mm, features an undisclosed central processor and a small GPU, alongside two 1 TB Kioxia BG6 SSDs in a RAID 1 configuration. The hardware is specifically engineered to dissipate heat through the rover's panel. HPE intends to use this mission as a benchmark for high-performance computing (HPC) on the lunar surface.
Testing will include HPCG and HPL benchmarks, as well as AI-driven tasks such as image processing, lidar navigation, and RAG-based large language model operations. NASA and Deloitte will also conduct experiments, including the deployment of the FLUID neural network and the Silent Shield cybersecurity system. The rover is expected to function for one lunar day, approximately 14 Earth days.
