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.
