Astranis has selected EPC Space to provide Rad Hard gallium nitride-based power devices for use in DC power supplies on the latest satellite build. Earlier Astranis announced it has started to build four new small geostationary communications satellites, three of which have been signed deals with new, yet-to-be-announced customers.
This new build of Astranis satellites is expected to offer 15 percent greater lifetime and 20 percent greater throughput the first-generation model, without increasing satellite hardware costs.
Astranis is building small, low-cost telecommunications satellites to connect the four billion people who currently do not have access to the internet. Each spacecraft operates from geostationary orbit (GEO) with a next-generation design of only 400 kg. By owning and operating its satellites and offering them to customers as a turnkey solution, Astranis can provide bandwidth-as-a-service and unlock previously unreachable markets.
The Rad Hard GaN power devices that EPC Space is providing to Astranis provide high precision, small size, low weight, and can withstand the harsh environment of space.
“We are honored that Astranis has selected EPC Space as a trusted vendor to provide Rad Hard GaN for their geostationary satellites” commented Bel Lazar, CEO. “This program will add to the tens of thousands of our units already on board of satellites flying in LEO and GEO orbit with mission lives of more than 10 years.”