On July 22, 2025, Micron Technology announced in Boise, Idaho, the release of the industry's first fully space-qualified single-level-cell (SLC) NAND flash memory chip with a capacity of 256 Gb. This chip, the highest-density radiation-tolerant NAND currently available, has begun shipping. It is also the first product in Micron's "space-grade memory series," with space-grade NOR and DRAM solutions to follow, making Micron the first major memory manufacturer to systematically address the space storage market.

Qualification Journey

Micron's experience in radiation-hardened design from its industrial and automotive embedded storage segments provided the foundation for the space-grade NAND. During the product validation phase, Micron collaborated with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center to conduct multiple rounds of particle accelerator irradiation tests. The chip ultimately received full space-level component certification, becoming the first NAND supplier among major memory vendors to pass this level of qualification.

Operational Deployment

With the surge in commercial and government launch missions, satellites and deep-space probes increasingly need to perform data acquisition, AI inference, and decision-making on-site to reduce dependence on downlink bandwidth. Micron's 256 Gb NAND chip is now in mass production for use in Mercury Systems' solid-state data recorders (SSDRs), supporting NASA's Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) mission. It reliably writes and returns several terabytes of raw remote sensing data daily, providing a high-capacity, radiation-tolerant storage foundation for the International Space Station and future cis-lunar experiments.

Technology Extension and Industry Significance

Building on its radiation-hardened design experience in automotive and industrial embedded storage, Micron plans to expand its space-grade product roadmap, starting with the 256 Gb SLC NAND. The ultimate goal is to create a complete space storage portfolio covering NAND, NOR, and DRAM, laying a solid storage foundation for next-generation space AI, edge computing, and real-time big data processing.

As commercial satellites, deep-space probes, and crewed lunar missions proliferate, the traditional model of "ground-based processing and uplink commands" can no longer meet the needs of real-time AI decision-making. The mass production of Micron's space-grade NAND will significantly reduce spacecraft dependence on ground links, enabling "on-orbit instant data processing" and laying the storage cornerstone for next-generation intelligent space systems.

Conevo IC Solutions Distributor

Conevo is a leading distributor of premium IC chips, offering a wide array of semiconductor solutions tailored for diverse applications. Discover our top-recommended IC models:

● TPS5430DDA: A high-efficiency synchronous buck converter with integrated FETs, ideal for low-power applications.

● NCP45560IMNTWG-H: A high-current synchronous buck regulator, perfect for demanding power management needs.

● CPC5622A: A versatile dual-channel operational amplifier with low noise and high precision, suitable for signal processing tasks.

Website: www.conevoelec.com

Email: info@conevoelec.com