Intel has unveiled its Starfire processor, the first space-grade system-on-chip built on the company’s 18A process node. This marks the initial application of Intel’s advanced manufacturing technology for use in orbit.
The Starfire is an eight-core SoC that utilizes Foveros advanced 3D chip-stacking technology, combining two chiplets, each with four P-Cores. It features LPE-Cores that can reach up to 2.1 GHz, while the GPU is clocked at 2.0 GHz. The processor delivers 75 TOPS of AI performance and operates within a 35W thermal design power envelope, with the P-core frequency listed at 3.1 GHz.
According to Intel’s product documentation, the Starfire is designed for space-grade survivability and advanced AI performance while adhering to the size, weight, and power constraints required for spacecraft systems. The chip can operate at temperatures up to 125°C and withstand radiation exposure typical in space environments.
The Starfire signifies a significant expansion of Intel’s 18A process technology beyond consumer and data center applications. Intel first introduced 18A with the Core Ultra Series 3 processors at CES in January 2026, and the 18A-P variant entered risk production in June 2026, featuring enhanced thermal characteristics.
Space-grade processors have traditionally lagged behind commercial silicon in terms of process nodes due to rigorous radiation hardening and reliability requirements. Competitors in the space processor market include Microchip Technology’s radiation-tolerant PolarFire SoC FPGA and various SPARC-based radiation-hardened designs.
The Starfire’s integration of AI acceleration, modern CPU architecture, and space-grade reliability could enhance computational capabilities aboard satellites and spacecraft. With its 75 TOPS of neural processing power in a 35W package, the chip presents a significant advancement over existing space-qualified processors, which have often prioritized fault tolerance over performance. Intel has not provided details on specific launch customers or availability timelines for the Starfire.
