EPC Space Revolutionizes Satellite Power Systems with Advanced GaN Solutions

EPC Space Revolutionizes Satellite Power Systems with Advanced GaN Solutions

EPC Space was established in June 2020 as a joint venture between Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) and VPT. It is officially based in Haverhill, Massachusetts, with operations also in El Segundo, California, and Andover, Massachusetts. EPC Space’s mission is to design and manufacture radiation-hardened GaN-on-silicon power semiconductors tailored for demanding space environments including satellites, space stations, and deep-space probes.

Key technology domains

  • Satellite power electronics: EPC Space designs Rad-Hard GaN FETs, DC–DC converters, and power stage ICs optimized for satellite power management 
  • Payload and sensor support: EPC Space's portfolio of high-frequency, high-efficiency drivers for lidar and imaging systems becomes critical in earth observation and autonomous rendezvous operations.
  • Propulsion & motor drive systems: EPC Space also manufactures power electronics for brushless motors and ion thruster control, enabling agile satellite attitude control and precise station-keeping.

Key Products and Services

Radiation-Hardened GaN HEMTs (High-Electron Mobility Transistors)

GaN HEMTs with a voltage range of up to 300 V are produced by EPC Space with models such as EPC7002A/ASH (40 V, 10–15 A), EPC7014UB (60 V, 1 A), and EPC7030MSH (300 V, 50 A). These GaN HEMTs feature ultra-low on-resistance, minimal gate charge, compact hermetic packaging, and robust screening for total ionizing dose, single-event effects, and neutron radiation. They find applications in power conversion, motor drives, deep-space probes, DC–DC converters, and satellite EPS systems.

Rad-Hard GaN Drivers and Power-Stage ICs

EPC Space offers a robust lineup of radiation-hardened DC–DC converter solutions, centered around their flagship EPCS4001 controller and companion EPCSC401 demo board. Co-developed with CERN, the EPCS4001 offers PWM operation up to 3 MHz. It integrates bias regulators (12 V & 5 V), UVLO, thermal protection, and Power-Good telemetry. It is optimized to drive EPC GaN power stages like the EPC7011L7 family for a turnkey point-of-load architecture. The EPCSC401 features a Pre-optimized layout minimizing loop inductance. It supports cored/coreless inductors and conduction cooling and has verified thermal design for space-like environments. The modular controller + GaN stage solution enables compact point-of-load converters for satellites, payloads, defense, and high-energy physics systems. The combination offers turnkey integration via reference board, accelerating development and reducing risks in space-grade applications.

EPC Space packages its GaN devices in ceramic modules and adapters designed for high-reliability space deployment. These modules simplify integration into high-frequency converter topologies. It provides demo boards and application design guides to help engineers evaluate and accelerate design cycles. EPC Space explicitly targets applications like DC–DC converters, LiDAR systems, motor drives, and ion thrusters in space environments. Their products support spacecraft subsystems such as attitude control, payload deployment mechanisms, high-voltage bussing, and propulsion systems. EPC Space launched a new 300V, 50A rad-hard GaN FET EPC7030MSH designed for high-voltage bus conversion and electric propulsion front-ends. Features include the lowest RDS(on) and gate charge in its class, hermetic FSMD-M package, and optimized conduction cooling.

EPC Space was selected by Astranis to supply radiation-hardened GaN power devices for their next-generation small geostationary communication satellites. It supports DC power supplies in a 400 kg GEO satellite with 15% longer lifetime and 20% higher throughput. EPC Space earned the first-ever certification of GaN HEMTs under the U.S. MIL-PRF-19500 standard, achieved across their Andover, MA, facility and Taiwan fab.

EPC Space plays a pivotal role in shaping the modern space and satellite industry by pioneering radiation-hardened gallium nitride (GaN) power electronics supporting a new era of efficiency, resilience, and miniaturization in spacecraft power systems. EPC Space’s rad-hard GaN power modules have rapidly gone from niche innovation to industry enabler, transforming spacecraft power design, improving reliability, and minimizing form factor. Supported by strong flight heritage, market backing, expert validation, and a growing ecosystem, they’re increasingly seen as a cornerstone in space electronics particularly for the upcoming fleets of small satellites, electric propulsion missions, and high-performance payload platforms.

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Publisher: SatNow

EPC Space

  • Country: United States
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GNSS Constellations - A list of all GNSS satellites by constellations

beidou

Satellite NameOrbit Date
BeiDou-3 G4Geostationary Orbit (GEO)17 May, 2023
BeiDou-3 G2Geostationary Orbit (GEO)09 Mar, 2020
Compass-IGSO7Inclined Geosynchronous Orbit (IGSO)09 Feb, 2020
BeiDou-3 M19Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)16 Dec, 2019
BeiDou-3 M20Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)16 Dec, 2019
BeiDou-3 M21Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)23 Nov, 2019
BeiDou-3 M22Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)23 Nov, 2019
BeiDou-3 I3Inclined Geosynchronous Orbit (IGSO)04 Nov, 2019
BeiDou-3 M23Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)22 Sep, 2019
BeiDou-3 M24Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)22 Sep, 2019

galileo

Satellite NameOrbit Date
GSAT0223MEO - Near-Circular05 Dec, 2021
GSAT0224MEO - Near-Circular05 Dec, 2021
GSAT0219MEO - Near-Circular25 Jul, 2018
GSAT0220MEO - Near-Circular25 Jul, 2018
GSAT0221MEO - Near-Circular25 Jul, 2018
GSAT0222MEO - Near-Circular25 Jul, 2018
GSAT0215MEO - Near-Circular12 Dec, 2017
GSAT0216MEO - Near-Circular12 Dec, 2017
GSAT0217MEO - Near-Circular12 Dec, 2017
GSAT0218MEO - Near-Circular12 Dec, 2017

glonass

Satellite NameOrbit Date
Kosmos 2569--07 Aug, 2023
Kosmos 2564--28 Nov, 2022
Kosmos 2559--10 Oct, 2022
Kosmos 2557--07 Jul, 2022
Kosmos 2547--25 Oct, 2020
Kosmos 2545--16 Mar, 2020
Kosmos 2544--11 Dec, 2019
Kosmos 2534--27 May, 2019
Kosmos 2529--03 Nov, 2018
Kosmos 2527--16 Jun, 2018

gps

Satellite NameOrbit Date
Navstar 82Medium Earth Orbit19 Jan, 2023
Navstar 81Medium Earth Orbit17 Jun, 2021
Navstar 78Medium Earth Orbit22 Aug, 2019
Navstar 77Medium Earth Orbit23 Dec, 2018
Navstar 76Medium Earth Orbit05 Feb, 2016
Navstar 75Medium Earth Orbit31 Oct, 2015
Navstar 74Medium Earth Orbit15 Jul, 2015
Navstar 73Medium Earth Orbit25 Mar, 2015
Navstar 72Medium Earth Orbit29 Oct, 2014
Navstar 71Medium Earth Orbit02 Aug, 2014

irnss

Satellite NameOrbit Date
NVS-01Geostationary Orbit (GEO)29 May, 2023
IRNSS-1IInclined Geosynchronous Orbit (IGSO)12 Apr, 2018
IRNSS-1HSub Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (Sub-GTO)31 Aug, 2017
IRNSS-1GGeostationary Orbit (GEO)28 Apr, 2016
IRNSS-1FGeostationary Orbit (GEO)10 Mar, 2016
IRNSS-1EGeosynchronous Orbit (IGSO)20 Jan, 2016
IRNSS-1DInclined Geosynchronous Orbit (IGSO)28 Mar, 2015
IRNSS-1CGeostationary Orbit (GEO)16 Oct, 2014
IRNSS-1BInclined Geosynchronous Orbit (IGSO)04 Apr, 2014
IRNSS-1AInclined Geosynchronous Orbit (IGSO)01 Jul, 2013
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