transistors1.jpg

It is pretty hard to believe you're looking at 1.75 billion transistors. The sheer fact that the number is in billions is just crazy. Measuring just 8 inches in diameter, it is etched with 35 replicas of five different chips. They are going to be sent into space.

This was one of 25 identical sheets, produced at a cost of at least $3 million. The chips themselves will be used to perform specialized tasks, including data handling, communications processing and attitude control. [ESA]