India's Green Space Propulsion Technology 2026: ₹116 Crore RDI Support to Manastu Space | भारत की हरित अंतरिक्ष प्रणोदन तकनीक 2026

1. Why in News?

On 26 October 2026, the Technology Development Board (TDB), under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), announced an agreement with Manastu Space Technologies Private Limited for financial support of ₹116 crore.

The support will be provided under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund to develop indigenous green propulsion systems for satellites and launch vehicles.

The total project cost is ₹277.63 crore. The programme aims to advance the technology from Technology Readiness Level 6 to Level 9.

This initiative is important for India's space technology ecosystem, indigenous manufacturing, deep-tech innovation and sustainable space operations.

2. Important Facts for Competitive Examinations

• Announcement: 26 October 2026.
• Government agency: Technology Development Board.
• Department: Department of Science and Technology.
• Ministry: Ministry of Science and Technology.
• Company: Manastu Space Technologies Private Limited.
• Company location: Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• Financial support: ₹116 crore.
• Total project cost: ₹277.63 crore.
• Funding mechanism: Optionally Convertible Debt.
• Fund: Research Development and Innovation Fund.
• Propellant: Hydrogen peroxide-based formulation with additives.
• Thrust range: 5 mN to 300 N.
• Technology advancement: TRL-6 to TRL-9.
• PIB Release ID: 2328399.

3. What Is Space Propulsion?

Space propulsion refers to the systems used to produce thrust and change the motion of spacecraft.

Propulsion systems can help satellites adjust their orbits, maintain their positions and carry out manoeuvres.

Launch vehicles also use propulsion systems to accelerate and transport payloads into space.

Different applications require different levels of thrust, efficiency, reliability and operational control.

4. Why Is Propulsion Important?

A spacecraft may need to change its velocity after launch to achieve a desired orbit or perform mission operations.

Satellites can require propulsion for orbit correction, station-keeping and collision-avoidance manoeuvres.

Propulsion also plays a role in spacecraft disposal and certain end-of-mission operations.

Reliable propulsion can therefore contribute to mission flexibility, safety and spacecraft longevity.

5. What Is Green Propulsion?

Green propulsion refers to propulsion technologies designed to reduce certain safety, handling or environmental disadvantages associated with conventional propellant systems.

It does not necessarily mean that a propulsion system has zero environmental impact.

The environmental benefits depend on the chemical formulation, manufacturing process, operating conditions and complete lifecycle.

In the present project, the proposed system uses a hydrogen peroxide-based propellant with additives.

6. About Manastu Space

Manastu Space Technologies Private Limited is a space-technology company based in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra.

It is developing indigenous propulsion technologies intended for satellite and launch-vehicle applications.

The TDB-supported project focuses on an integrated and scalable green propulsion architecture.

The agreement represents support for further development and validation rather than confirmation that all commercial deployment targets have already been achieved.

7. About the Technology Development Board

The Technology Development Board operates under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

It supports the development and commercialisation of technological innovations.

Its activities can help enterprises bridge the gap between research, engineering development and commercial application.

The Manastu Space agreement illustrates the role of public financing in supporting technology-intensive domestic enterprises.

8. What Is the RDI Fund?

The Research Development and Innovation Fund is intended to support research-driven innovation and technology development.

Deep-tech projects may require substantial investment before reaching commercial maturity.

Such projects often involve complex engineering, extensive testing and technological uncertainty.

RDI support can help eligible enterprises advance promising technologies toward practical deployment.

9. Financial Structure of the Project

The announced financial support is ₹116 crore, while the total project cost is ₹277.63 crore.

Therefore, the support represents approximately 41.8% of the announced total project cost.

The remaining project financing is not fully detailed in the PIB announcement and should not be attributed to a particular source without additional evidence.

Students should distinguish the government's announced financial support from the total cost of the project.

10. What Is Optionally Convertible Debt?

The official announcement states that financial support will be provided through Optionally Convertible Debt, or OCD.

This is a financing instrument involving debt that may be converted into equity under specified contractual conditions.

The conversion terms, rights and obligations depend on the governing agreement.

It should not be automatically described as a non-repayable grant or an outright equity investment.

11. Technology Readiness Levels

Technology Readiness Levels, or TRLs, are used to describe how far a technology has progressed from an initial concept toward operational use.

Lower levels generally involve scientific principles and laboratory research.

Higher levels involve demonstration, validation and readiness in increasingly realistic environments.

The Manastu project aims to move from TRL-6 to TRL-9, indicating a progression toward operational maturity.

12. Understanding TRL-6

TRL-6 generally indicates that a representative technology model or prototype has been demonstrated in a relevant environment.

This is an advanced development stage but does not necessarily mean that a product is fully qualified for routine commercial operations.

Additional engineering, integration and reliability testing may still be required.

The government announcement identifies TRL-6 as the project's starting readiness level.

13. Understanding TRL-9

TRL-9 generally indicates that an actual system has been proven through successful operation in its intended environment.

It is commonly treated as the highest level in the nine-level readiness framework.

Achieving this stage requires more than demonstrating a prototype.

The project aims to reach TRL-9; the announcement does not say that this target has already been achieved.

14. Hydrogen Peroxide-Based Propellant

The propulsion system uses a hydrogen peroxide-based formulation with additives.

Hydrogen peroxide can release energy and produce hot gases through controlled decomposition in suitable propulsion systems.

Engine and catalyst design are important for converting the propellant's stored chemical energy into useful thrust.

The precise proprietary formulation and detailed engineering parameters were not disclosed in the announcement.

15. Role of the Catalyst

A catalyst facilitates a chemical reaction without being consumed in the same way as the principal reactants.

In suitable hydrogen peroxide propulsion systems, catalytic decomposition can produce the hot gases needed for thrust generation.

The Manastu project includes an ultra-high-temperature ceramic catalyst.

Reliable catalyst performance is important because propulsion systems may operate under demanding thermal and mechanical conditions.

16. Ultra-High-Temperature Ceramic Materials

Ceramic materials can be engineered to tolerate high temperatures and demanding operating environments.

For propulsion applications, thermal resistance and material durability can be particularly important.

The project includes development of an ultra-high-temperature ceramic catalyst intended to support reliable system operation.

The announcement does not disclose the exact ceramic composition, so a specific material should not be assumed.

17. Understanding the Thrust Range

The proposed propulsion architecture covers a thrust range from 5 millinewtons to 300 newtons.

One millinewton equals one-thousandth of a newton.

Therefore, 5 mN equals 0.005 N.

The broad range indicates that the technology is intended to address propulsion needs of different scales, from small satellite applications to higher-thrust systems.

18. Why Is Scalability Important?

Scalability means adapting a technological architecture to different performance requirements.

Small satellites may need precise, relatively low-thrust manoeuvres.

Other spacecraft or launch-related applications may require substantially greater thrust.

A scalable propulsion platform can potentially support multiple applications while reusing common engineering knowledge and components.

19. Propulsion Engines and Feed Systems

The project includes propulsion engines and propellant feed systems.

An engine converts propellant energy into thrust, while a feed system supplies propellant to the relevant components.

These subsystems must work together reliably under mission operating conditions.

System integration is therefore a major part of progressing from a demonstrated technology to an operationally mature product.

20. Previous Demonstration in Space

The PIB announcement confirms that the propulsion technology has already been demonstrated in space.

This is an important technical milestone because the space environment differs substantially from laboratory conditions.

However, a previous demonstration does not establish that every future product configuration has been fully qualified.

The new programme will focus on additional engineering, integration, testing and validation.

21. Satellites and Orbital Manoeuvres

Satellites operate in different orbital regimes according to their missions.

Some require periodic adjustments to maintain desired trajectories or orbital positions.

Propulsion can also support collision-avoidance manoeuvres when technically feasible.

Indigenous propulsion technologies can improve domestic access to components needed for such operations.

22. Applications for Launch Vehicles

Launch vehicles use propulsion to move payloads from Earth toward their intended destinations.

Different stages and subsystems may have distinct propulsion requirements.

The Manastu project is intended to develop technology suitable for satellite and launch-vehicle applications.

The announcement does not identify a specific Indian launch vehicle that has already adopted the proposed system.

23. Operational Safety

Propellant safety affects manufacturing, storage, transport, integration and spacecraft operations.

Hazardous handling requirements can increase operational complexity and costs.

Developing alternative propellant systems may reduce some challenges associated with conventional technologies.

Nevertheless, hydrogen peroxide-based systems still require appropriate chemical safety procedures and engineering controls.

24. Cost Efficiency and Reliability

The project seeks to combine performance, reliability and cost efficiency.

Reliable propulsion reduces the risk of mission disruption and equipment failure.

Cost-efficient systems can potentially make certain space applications more commercially viable.

Actual cost savings and performance advantages must be established through testing and operational evidence.

25. Importance for India's Space Economy

India's space economy includes satellite manufacturing, launch services, ground infrastructure, applications and supporting technologies.

Propulsion is a critical part of this wider value chain.

Domestic propulsion development can create opportunities for specialised manufacturing, research and private-sector innovation.

It may also reduce dependence on externally sourced components where indigenous alternatives meet mission requirements.

26. Deep Technology and Commercialisation

Deep technology generally refers to innovation based on substantial scientific or engineering advances.

Space propulsion is a deep-tech field because it requires specialised materials, testing, system design and reliability engineering.

Commercialisation can be challenging when development cycles are long and capital requirements are high.

Public financing mechanisms can help promising technologies progress beyond initial demonstrations.

27. Atmanirbhar Bharat and Indigenous Capabilities

Indigenous propulsion technology aligns with India's objective of strengthening domestic technological capabilities.

Local development can support specialised employment, industrial learning and research partnerships.

It may also improve supply-chain resilience in strategically important technologies.

However, self-reliance should be assessed through demonstrated capabilities rather than assuming complete independence from imported components.

28. Role of Private Space Enterprises

Private companies increasingly participate in India's space ecosystem through technology development and specialised services.

They can contribute innovation in propulsion, satellite systems, manufacturing and software.

The Manastu agreement demonstrates how a government institution can support a private enterprise developing critical technology.

Such cooperation can complement the work of public research and space institutions.

29. Environmental Significance

Space missions have environmental impacts across manufacturing, propellant production, launch and disposal stages.

Green propulsion research seeks to improve selected environmental and operational characteristics.

However, a hydrogen peroxide-based propellant should not automatically be described as completely pollution-free.

Comprehensive sustainability assessment requires consideration of the full lifecycle and specific system performance.

30. Key Challenges

The project must demonstrate reliable performance across a wide thrust range.

Engineering challenges can include thermal management, catalyst durability, feed-system reliability and repeatable manufacturing.

Extensive testing and validation are necessary before routine operational deployment.

Meeting the intended readiness level will depend on the successful completion of these development activities.

31. Relevance for UPSC GS Paper III

The development is relevant to science and technology, indigenisation, research and innovation, and the space sector.

Students should understand the functions of propulsion systems and the significance of technology readiness levels.

The financing structure is also relevant to discussions of public support for deep-tech enterprises.

Analytical answers can connect the project with technological self-reliance and sustainable industrial development.

32. Important Prelims Questions

Q1. Which company received the announced RDI support? Answer: Manastu Space Technologies Private Limited.

Q2. What is the support amount? Answer: ₹116 crore.

Q3. What is the total project cost? Answer: ₹277.63 crore.

Q4. Which agency signed the agreement? Answer: Technology Development Board.

Q5. TDB operates under which department? Answer: Department of Science and Technology.

Q6. Where is Manastu Space based? Answer: Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Q7. Which propellant is used? Answer: A hydrogen peroxide-based formulation with additives.

Q8. What is the planned thrust range? Answer: 5 mN to 300 N.

Q9. What is the target technology readiness level? Answer: TRL-9.

Q10. What is the starting technology readiness level? Answer: TRL-6.

Q11. Which financing instrument will be used? Answer: Optionally Convertible Debt.

Q12. What type of catalyst is being developed? Answer: An ultra-high-temperature ceramic catalyst.

33. UPSC Mains Practice

Question 1: Discuss the significance of indigenous green propulsion technology for India's space economy, technological self-reliance and environmental sustainability.

Question 2: Examine the role of public financing instruments in helping Indian deep-tech startups progress from prototype demonstration to operational deployment.

34. Conclusion

The ₹116 crore RDI support for Manastu Space is an important initiative in India's indigenous space-technology development.

The project aims to advance a scalable hydrogen peroxide-based propulsion system from TRL-6 to TRL-9.

Its intended applications span satellite and launch-vehicle propulsion, supported by integrated engines, feed systems and advanced catalyst technology.

Successful development could strengthen domestic capabilities, but final operational maturity and commercial outcomes remain dependent on further engineering and validation.

35. Official Source

Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Science and Technology, 26 October 2026, Release ID 2328399.