
When meteor showers occur every few months, viewers get to watch a dazzling scene of shooting stars and light streaks scattering across the night sky.
Normally, meteors are just small pieces of rock and dust from space that quickly burn up upon entering Earth's atmosphere. But the story would take a darker turn if a comet or asteroid is a little too large and heading directly toward Earth's surface with minimal warning time.
Such a scenario is what physics professor Philip Lubin and some of his undergraduates at the University of California, Santa Barbara, are striving to counteract.
The team recently received phase II funding from NASA to explore a new, more practical approach to planetary defense - one that would allow them to detect and mitigate any threats much faster and more efficiently. Their initiative is called PI-Terminal Planetary Defense, with the PI standing for Pulverize It.
To help the team train and speed up the AI and machine learning algorithms they're developing to detect threats that are on a collision course with Earth, NVIDIA, as part of its Applied Research Accelerator Program, has given the group an NVIDIA RTX A6000 graphics card.
Taking AI to the Sky Every day, approximately 100 tons of small debris rain down on Earth, but they quickly disintegrate in the atmosphere with very few surviving to reach the surface. Larger asteroids, however, like those responsible for the craters visible on the moon's surface, pose a real danger to life on Earth.
On average, about every 60 years, an asteroid that's larger than 65 feet in diameter will appear, similar to the one that exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia, in 2013, with the energy equivalent of about 440,000 tons of TNT, according to NASA.
The PI-Terminal Planetary Defense initiative aims to detect relevant threats sooner, and then use an array of hypervelocity kinetic penetrators to pulverize and disassemble an asteroid or small comet to greatly minimize the threat.
The traditional approach for planetary defense has involved deflecting threats, but Pulverize-It turns to effectively breaking up the asteroid or comet into much smaller fragments, which then burn up in the Earth's atmosphere at high altitudes, causing little ground damage. This allows much more rapid mitigation.
Recognizing threats is the first critical step - this is where Lubin and his students tapped into the power of AI.
Many modern surveys collect massive amounts of astrophysical data, but the speed of data collection is faster than the ability to process and analyze the collected images. Lubin's group is designing a much larger survey specifically for planetary defense that would generate even larger amounts of data that need to be rapidly processed.
Through machine learning, the group trained a neural network called You Only Look Once Darknet. It's a near real-time object detection system that operates in less than 25 milliseconds per image. The group used a large dataset of labeled images to pretrain the neural network, allowing the model to extract low-level, geometric features like lines, edges and circles, and in and in particular threats such as asteroids and comets.
Early results showed that the source extraction through machine learning was up to 10x faster and nearly 3x more accurate than traditional methods.
Lubin and his group accelerated their image analysis process by approximately 100x, with the help of the NVIDIA RTX A6000 GPU, as well as the CUDA parallel computing platform and programming model.
Initially, our pipeline - which aims for real-time image processing - took 10 seconds for our subtraction step, said Lubin. By implementing the NVIDIA RTX A6000, we immediately cut this processing time to 0.15 seconds.
Combining this new computational power with the expanded 48GB of VRAM enabled the team to implement new CuPy-based algorithms, which greatly reduced their subtraction and identification time, allowing the entire pipeline to run in just six seconds.
NVIDIA RTX Brings Meteor Memory One of the group's biggest technical challenges has been meeting the GPU memory requirement, as well as decreasing the run-time of the training processes. As the project grows, Lubin and his students accumulate increasingly large amounts of data for training. But as the datasets expanded, they needed a GPU that could handle the massive file sizes.
The RTX A6000's 48GB of memory allows teams to handle the most complex graphics and datasets without worrying about hindering performance.
Each image will be about 100 megapixels, and we're putting many images inside the memory of the RTX GPU, said Lubin. It helps mitigate the bottleneck of getting data in and out.
https://blogs.nvidia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Copy-2.mp4
The group works on simulations that demonstrate various phases from the project, including the ground effects from shock waves, as well as the optical light pulses from each fragment that burns in the Earth's atmosphere. These simulations are done locally, running on custom-developed codes written in multithreaded, multiprocessor C and Python.
The image processing pipeline for rapid threat detection runs on custom C , Python and CUDA codes using multiple Intel Xeon processors and the NVIDIA RTX A6000 GPU.
Other simulations, like one that features the hypervelocity intercept of the threat fragments, are accomplished using the NASA Advanced Supercomputing (NAS) facility at the NASA Ames Research Center. The facility is constantly upgraded and offers over 13 petaflops of computing performance. These visualizations run on the NAS supercomputers equipped with Intel Xeon CPUs and NVIDIA RTX A6000 GPUs.
Check out some of these simulations on the UCSB Group's Deepspace YouTube channel.
Learn more about the PI-Terminal Planetary Defense project and NVIDIA RTX.
North America Stories
04/07/2025
By Lucy Spicer
Editor's note: We are deeply saddened by the passing of Robe...
04/07/2025
Introducing CVP Auctions: Trusted Tech, At Auction-Only Prices
Brie Clayton July 4, 2025
0 Comments
A New Destination for Film and Broadcast Gear at U...
04/07/2025
Unveiling China's Ecological Wonders with URSA Mini Pro 12K
Brie Clayton July 4, 2025
0 Comments
Nature Documentaries Freeze Epic Momentsin Extrem...
04/07/2025
Create Any Planet in After Effects
Graham Quince July 4, 2025
0 Comments
The Advanced 3D renderer in After Effects makes it really easy to import 3D o...
04/07/2025
Custom Gradient Colorize for Resolve Fusion
Simon Ubsdell July 4, 2025
0 Comments
Digging into the theory of the gradient colorize process to build ou...
04/07/2025
Watching live sports on TV these days is a delicate balance for broadcasters how much information is too much?...
04/07/2025
WASHINGTON As Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr works to achieve his goal of a very busy, productive summer at the FCC, the agency has rele...
04/07/2025
Other World Computing Launches OWC Guardian USB-C Hardware-Encrypted Portable SS...
04/07/2025
CANAL Brings MotoGP to Vision Pro with Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive
Brie Clayton July 3, 2025
0 Comments
Experience MotoGP like never before as CA...
03/07/2025
To achieve a true level of decisive overmatch, communication systems must be as ...
03/07/2025
The Broadcasters Foundation of America has named Ray Hopkins, president of U.S. distribution at Paramount Global, to its board of directors....
03/07/2025
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. In his first major policy speech, Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr outlined his Build America Agenda for the agency'...
03/07/2025
As the industry is making a major push to transition to NextGen TV and develop new businesses that will fund the next generation of broadcasting, TV Tech's ...
03/07/2025
Despite enabling its subscribers to watch films and TV shows in the highest possible resolution, Netflix has revealed it is taking things old school with the in...
03/07/2025
WASHINGTON In response to news that Paramount Global has agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit by President Donald Trump, Democrats and other administra...
03/07/2025
WUPPERTAL, Germany Riedel Communications today launched RefSuite for professional sports workflows....
03/07/2025
WEITERSTADT, Germany LYNX Technik, a provider of modular signal processing solutions, has announced that founder and longtime CEO Winfried Deckelmann is steppin...
03/07/2025
WASHINGTON Representatives from six trade groups representing tech, pay TV, broadband, LPTV and other sectors recently met with Federal Communications Commissio...
03/07/2025
PLYMOUTH, Wis. Dan Whealy has acquired Heartland Video Systems and will be its new owner and president, the systems integrator said....
03/07/2025
Acclaimed filmmaker, educator, and industry veteran Jay Holben has released his most ambitious work to date: The Director's Guide to Everything a sweeping...
03/07/2025
For Los Angeles-based photographer Scout Pruski, documenting the annual Dyke Day LA is a way to honor and give back to the city's legacy queer community and...
03/07/2025
Modular, Travel-Ready Solution Matthews Studio Equipment launches the new Chimera V-Flat Panel Frame Kit, the lightweight and modular, ultra-durable alternativ...
03/07/2025
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the release of Dalet Flex 2025.6 LTS (long-term support), introdu...
03/07/2025
Lightware's LARA Wizard makes it quicker and easier than ever to set up audio-visual (AV) room automation and control configurations, ensuring anyone, from ...
03/07/2025
Alfalite, the only European manufacturer of LED screens, has obtained both the NCAGE Code (NATO Commercial and Government Entity) and TAA (Trade Agreements Act)...
03/07/2025
nxtedition is implementing a new solution for WIN Network, based in its headquarters in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. The nxtedition integrated platfo...
03/07/2025
ORS Group and Insys Video Technologies today announce the launch of a new joint brand identity: Big Blue Marble. The move reflects the evolution of a long-stand...
03/07/2025
Evergent, a global leader in customer lifecycle management and monetization solutions for subscription-based businesses, today announced the successful results ...
03/07/2025
LYNX Technik, provider of modular signal processing solutions today announces an executive leadership transition, effective July 1, 2025. Markus Motzko has been...
03/07/2025
Chaos Releases V-Ray for Blender
Brie Clayton July 2, 2025
0 Comments
Production-Proven Renderer V-Ray Arrives Natively in Blender for the First Time;...
03/07/2025
Calvin University Adds Blackmagic Replay to Broadcasts and Streams
Brie Clayton July 2, 2025
0 Comments
Replay workflow joins 14 Blackmagic Design cam...
03/07/2025
Berklee's Gospel Performance Program Welcomes Jonathan Nelson as the Herb Al...
03/07/2025
Back to All News
Get ready for even more action! Netflix has confirmed the thir...
03/07/2025
In today's fragmented media landscape, advertisers expect more than just reach - they want seamless cross-platform campaigns that deliver measurable results...
03/07/2025
The forecast this month is showing a 100% chance of epic gaming. Catch the scorching lineup of 20 titles coming to the cloud, which gamers can play whether indo...
02/07/2025
Hege Wik and Odin appear in FOLKTALES by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, an official selection of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institut...
02/07/2025
(Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock for Sundance Film Festival)
By Patty Consolazio
This one's for any person who's ever felt put down, left out, marginaliz...
02/07/2025
NEW YORK Paramount Global has agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit by President Donald Trump, ending a long-running legal saga that could clear the way...
02/07/2025
WASHINGTON The Federal Communications Commission has approved the transfer of licenses for five TV stations from Sinclair to Rincon Broadcasting, which announce...
02/07/2025
As the media industry faces an uncertain business climate and rapidly changing consumer habits, TV Tech's most popular stories from the first six months of ...
02/07/2025
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. New data shows that U.S. homes now own an average of two smart TVs, with Samsung and LG dominating the market but Roku and FireTV continue to g...
02/07/2025
LOS ANGELES Funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management have acquired FilmRise, an independent digital streaming content distributor, and merged it with Shout! ...
02/07/2025
WASHINGTON The Advanced Television Systems Committee named Luiz Fausto vice president of standards development, succeeding ATSC vice president Jerry Whitaker, w...
02/07/2025
Boston Conservatory and the Sphinx Organization Join Forces to Make Classical Ed...
02/07/2025
NEW AMSTERDAM CREATOR DAVID SCHULNER JOINS CREATIVE TEAM OF NEW FOX DRAMA SERIE...
02/07/2025
Progressive realism: Aurora on taking up the broadcast reins for World RX alongs...
02/07/2025
Great speed: New host broadcaster Aurora on getting the World RX 2025 season pro...
02/07/2025
Seat of its pants: Aurora boxes clever and looks ahead for the FIA as new host b...
02/07/2025
UEFA Women's Euro 2025: EBU, BBC Sport and Sunset Vine talk coverage plans, ...
02/07/2025
UEFA Women's Euro 2025: Women's Super League launches new content series...