October 27, 2026: India is advancing its indigenous green propulsion capabilities, with the Technology Development Board (TDB) committing ₹116 crore to Navi Mumbai based Manastu Space Technologies to develop a green propulsion system spanning thrust requirements from 5 millinewtons to 300 newtons for satellites and launch vehicles.
The funding, provided under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, will support a project with a total cost of ₹277.63 crore. The initiative aims to take the company’s propulsion technology from Technology Readiness Level 6 to Level 9, bringing it closer to full scale deployment. The financial support will be provided through optionally convertible debt.
Manastu Space is developing an indigenous green propulsion system that uses hydrogen peroxide based propellant with additives. The technology combines an integrated engine and catalyst system to offer a propulsion solution for applications ranging from small satellites to launch vehicles requiring higher thrust.
The system is designed to cover thrust requirements from 5 millinewtons to 300 newtons, allowing it to serve a wide range of space missions. The project will involve further development of propulsion engines, propellant feed systems and an ultra high temperature ceramic catalyst designed to operate under demanding conditions.
The green propulsion technology has already been demonstrated in space. The next phase will focus on engineering improvements, system integration, testing and validation to establish its performance and reliability for broader use.
Green propulsion systems are gaining attention as the space industry looks for alternatives to conventional propellants that can reduce operational risks and improve mission economics. For India, developing such systems domestically could help strengthen local capabilities in a critical part of the space sector and reduce dependence on foreign technologies.
TDB funds Manastu’s green propulsion project to scale up satellite propulsion
The indigenous green space propulsion project falls under the deep technology sector, with space technology as its sub sector. The TDB, which operates under the Department of Science and Technology, supports technology development and commercialisation in India.
TDB Secretary Rajesh Kumar Pathak said indigenous green propulsion technologies were important to strengthening India’s capabilities across the space value chain. He said the country’s expanding space sector needed systems that offered performance, reliability, operational safety and cost efficiency.
Through the RDI Fund, the board is supporting technology intensive projects that require sustained investment to move from advanced development towards deployment, Pathak said.
Manastu Space’s co founder and chief technology officer said the funding would help the company advance its green space propulsion technology through further development, integration and validation.
The company aims to build a scalable platform that combines performance, reliability and cost efficiency while addressing the need for safer and more sustainable propellant systems. The partnership with TDB is expected to support its efforts to achieve Technology Readiness Level 9 and strengthen India’s domestic space propulsion capabilities.
