UK Investment in Exascale and AI in Flux

Two recent announcements highlight a growing trend towards partnership and innovation aimed at space-based technical computing and storage infrastructure. The former seeks a 100X increase in computational power via a High-Performance Spaceflight Computing (HPSC) processor, and the latter is exploring appropriate storage media for low-earth orbit satellite focal planes and RF sensor data.

Japan's NTT, the fourth largest telecommunications company in the world, recently announced the formation of a cooperative organization of Japanese firms designed to promote Japan's technical position in quantum technologies and to help Japan complete globally with US and Chinese rivals in both quantum computing and quantum communications. The inaugural meeting of the group, held in late May 2021, was attended by 11 Japanese companies, including leading IT suppliers Fujitsu, Hitachi, NEC, and Toshiba as well as industrial partners including Toyota Motor, Mitsubishi Chemical, and the Mizuho Financial Group. More than 50 companies are ultimately expected to join the group.