THALES ALENIA SPACE BELGIUM SA

Their core work

Thales Alenia Space Belgium is a subsidiary of the major European space prime contractor, specializing in electric propulsion power systems and electronics for spacecraft. They design and develop power processing units (PPUs), high-voltage electrical architectures, and GaN-based power electronics that drive Hall effect and HEMP thrusters used in satellite station-keeping and orbit-raising. Their work spans the full qualification lifecycle — from preliminary design reviews through to flight-ready hardware — making them a critical supplier in Europe's electric propulsion supply chain.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their earlier H2020 period (2016–2019), TAS-B focused heavily on fundamental electric propulsion physics — plasma confinement, plasma diagnostics and modelling, erosion-free thruster concepts, and high-current cathode development through projects like HEMPT-NG and CHEOPS. From 2019 onward, their focus shifted decisively toward power electronics and system architecture: direct-drive configurations, MPPT-based power processing units, GaN transistor ICs, and qualification-stage hardware for constellation-class thrusters (CHEOPS LOW/MEDIUM POWER). This evolution signals a move from upstream research participation toward industrialization-ready component supply.

TAS-B is positioning itself as Europe's go-to supplier of space-qualified power processing electronics for the growing satellite constellation market, with GaN technology as their next differentiator.

How they like to work

TAS-B operates exclusively as a participant — they have never coordinated an H2020 project, which is typical for a large-company subsidiary contributing specialized components within broader system-level consortia. With 41 unique partners across 11 countries, they maintain a broad European network but tend to appear repeatedly in the same programme families (CHEOPS, HEMPT-NG), suggesting they are a trusted, returning partner within established propulsion development teams. Their consistent participant role and moderate funding shares indicate they contribute well-defined subsystem expertise rather than driving programme direction.

TAS-B has collaborated with 41 distinct partners across 11 European countries, placing them in a well-connected position within the EU space propulsion community. Their network likely centers on ESA member states with strong propulsion programmes (France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands).

What sets them apart

TAS-B sits at the intersection of power electronics and space propulsion — a niche few organizations in Europe can claim with this depth of project experience. While many partners in these consortia focus on the thrusters themselves, TAS-B owns the power processing chain that makes those thrusters work, from high-voltage architectures to GaN-based converters. For any consortium developing electric propulsion hardware for European missions or constellations, TAS-B brings flight-heritage-track power electronics expertise backed by a major space prime contractor's quality infrastructure.

Highlights from their portfolio

• HEMPT-NG
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 770,136) and covered the full thruster-to-power-system development chain including green propellants and plasma confinement — their deepest technical engagement.
• CHEOPS
  Five-year programme (2016–2021) that evolved into two Phase 2 follow-ons for low and medium power, demonstrating TAS-B's long-term commitment to Europe's flagship Hall effect propulsion system.
• EleGaNT
  Represents a strategic pivot into GaN semiconductor technology for space power — a bet on wide-bandgap electronics that could reshape spacecraft power systems.