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

1. Why in News?

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

The agreement supports the development of an indigenous, scalable green propulsion system for satellites and launch vehicles. The project has a total estimated cost of ₹277.63 crore.

The initiative aims to advance the technology from Technology Readiness Level 6 to Technology Readiness Level 9 through further engineering, integration, testing and validation.

2. Important Facts for Competitive Examinations

• Announcement date: 26 October 2026.
• Government organisation: 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.
• RDI support: ₹116 crore.
• Total project cost: ₹277.63 crore.
• Financial instrument: Optionally Convertible Debt.
• Propellant: Hydrogen peroxide-based formulation with additives.
• Thrust range: 5 millinewtons to 300 newtons.
• Technology target: TRL-6 to TRL-9.
• Specialised component: Ultra-high-temperature ceramic catalyst.
• PIB release: 2328399.

3. What Is Space Propulsion?

Space propulsion is the technology used to produce thrust for moving or controlling spacecraft.

Satellites need propulsion for certain orbital manoeuvres, attitude-related operations, station-keeping and end-of-life activities, depending on their design.

Launch vehicles use propulsion to accelerate payloads toward their intended trajectories.

Different propulsion technologies are selected according to mission requirements, thrust, efficiency, mass and operational constraints.

4. What Is Green Propulsion?

Green propulsion generally refers to propulsion approaches intended to reduce certain hazards or environmental and operational disadvantages associated with conventional propellants.

It may offer benefits in handling, storage, processing and mission operations.

However, the term green does not automatically mean that a chemical is harmless or that a propulsion system has no environmental impact.

Safety and sustainability must be assessed using the actual formulation and operating conditions.

5. About Manastu Space

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

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

The government announcement states that the company's propulsion technology has already been demonstrated in space.

The new project aims to improve and validate a broader scalable propulsion platform.

6. Technology Development Board

The Technology Development Board is a government body associated with supporting the development and commercialisation of technology.

It operates under the Department of Science and Technology.

TDB's role in this agreement is to provide structured financial support for an advanced technology-development project.

Students should not confuse TDB with ISRO, the Department of Space or IN-SPACe.

7. Research Development and Innovation Fund

The RDI Fund supports research-intensive and technology-intensive development with potential for commercial and strategic applications.

Space propulsion is an example of deep technology because it requires specialised engineering, scientific expertise, testing and substantial development expenditure.

The Manastu agreement illustrates the use of public financing to help a private technology company advance toward deployment.

8. Financial Support Versus Project Cost

The approved RDI support is ₹116 crore, while the total project cost is ₹277.63 crore.

These figures represent different concepts and must not be treated as interchangeable.

The announcement does not provide a complete financing breakdown for the remaining project cost.

It also does not confirm that the entire ₹116 crore has already been disbursed.

9. Optionally Convertible Debt

The assistance will be provided through Optionally Convertible Debt, abbreviated OCD.

This is a debt-based financing instrument that may be converted into equity according to agreed conditions.

It differs from a conventional non-repayable grant.

The government announcement does not specify all repayment, conversion or maturity conditions of this agreement.

10. Hydrogen Peroxide-Based Propellant

Manastu's technology uses a hydrogen peroxide-based green propellant with additives.

Hydrogen peroxide can participate in energetic chemical reactions and, with suitable catalytic systems, can release gases and heat useful for propulsion.

Its performance and handling characteristics depend on concentration, formulation, materials and system design.

Although the project describes the propellant as green, concentrated hydrogen peroxide requires appropriate safety controls.

11. Role of Catalysts

A catalyst accelerates a chemical reaction without being consumed in the overall reaction in the same way as a reactant.

In catalytic propulsion systems, catalyst performance can influence reaction reliability, thermal behaviour and thrust generation.

Manastu's project includes development of an ultra-high-temperature ceramic catalyst.

Reliable catalyst operation is particularly important under demanding thermal conditions.

12. Why Ceramic Materials?

Some engineered ceramics can retain useful properties under high-temperature conditions.

They may be selected for applications requiring thermal resistance and specialised material performance.

Actual suitability depends on chemical compatibility, mechanical behaviour, durability and operating temperature.

The government release identifies a ceramic catalyst but does not disclose its full material composition.

13. Thrust Range: 5 mN to 300 N

The propulsion platform is intended to cover thrust classes from 5 millinewtons to 300 newtons.

A millinewton is one-thousandth of a newton, the SI unit of force.

Low-thrust systems can be useful for precise spacecraft manoeuvres, while higher-thrust systems may serve different mission requirements.

The stated range describes the project's planned propulsion family, not a single engine continuously operating across every value.

14. Newton as the SI Unit

Thrust is a force and is measured in newtons.

According to Newton's second law, force is related to mass and acceleration through F = ma in the appropriate classical context.

One newton is the force required to accelerate a mass of one kilogram at one metre per second squared.

Students should distinguish newtons, which measure force, from watts, which measure power.

15. Technology Readiness Levels

Technology Readiness Levels, or TRLs, are used to describe the maturity of a technology.

The commonly used scale extends from TRL-1, involving basic principles, to TRL-9, representing a system proven in operational use.

TRL assessments help organisations understand the remaining development and validation requirements.

Different institutions may use detailed definitions suited to their sectors.

16. TRL-6

TRL-6 broadly represents demonstration of a system or subsystem prototype in a relevant environment.

It indicates substantial progress beyond an early laboratory concept.

However, it does not automatically mean that a complete commercial system is qualified for all intended operational missions.

17. TRL-9

TRL-9 generally represents an actual system proven through successful operational use.

Reaching this level requires more than a laboratory demonstration.

The Manastu project aims to advance to TRL-9; the government announcement does not state that the entire planned system has already reached this level.

18. Importance of Space Demonstration

The official announcement states that Manastu's propulsion technology has already been demonstrated in space.

Space demonstration can provide valuable evidence about system behaviour in an operationally relevant environment.

Nevertheless, a demonstration of an earlier technology configuration does not automatically validate every future engine, subsystem or application.

Further testing and engineering remain central to the newly supported project.

19. Satellite Applications

Propulsion systems may help satellites adjust their orbits, maintain assigned positions or perform other manoeuvres.

Mission requirements vary depending on orbital altitude, spacecraft mass and operational objectives.

A scalable domestic propulsion platform could provide additional design choices for Indian satellite developers.

Specific customer missions or contracts were not confirmed in the cited announcement.

20. Launch-Vehicle Applications

Launch vehicles use propulsion systems to generate thrust and perform mission-specific manoeuvres.

Different stages and subsystems can have different thrust and performance requirements.

The project includes potential launch-vehicle applications, but the announcement does not establish that the proposed system is already qualified for a particular Indian rocket.

21. Integrated Propulsion System

The project covers propulsion engines, propellant feed systems and catalyst-related technology.

Integration is important because reliable propulsion depends on the coordinated operation of multiple subsystems.

Testing must consider system-level behaviour rather than assessing each component in isolation.

22. Why Propellant Feed Systems Matter

A propellant feed system delivers the required propellant to the engine under controlled conditions.

Its performance can affect reliability, pressure management and the operation of the propulsion system.

Feed-system design must be compatible with the chosen propellant and mission environment.

The project includes development of these systems as part of the integrated platform.

23. Sustainable Space Operations

Space sustainability includes responsible spacecraft design, operational safety and management of orbital risks.

Propulsion technologies may support controlled manoeuvres and certain end-of-mission operations.

Green propulsion also seeks to improve selected safety and handling characteristics.

These benefits should be evaluated through technical evidence rather than assuming that every green-labelled technology is risk-free.

24. Strategic Autonomy

Strategic autonomy in space technology involves having reliable domestic capabilities in critical systems.

Propulsion is important because spacecraft performance and mission flexibility can depend on it.

Developing indigenous alternatives may reduce selected external dependencies and strengthen India's space supply chain.

25. Role of Private Space Companies

India's space ecosystem includes public institutions, research organisations and private companies.

Private firms can contribute specialised technologies, components, software and commercial services.

The Manastu agreement illustrates government support for advanced technology development in the private sector.

It should not be interpreted as an announcement that the company has received a launch contract from ISRO.

26. Deep Technology

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

These projects often involve long development periods, significant technical uncertainty and extensive testing.

Space propulsion is a relevant example because reliability and performance requirements are demanding.

Appropriate financing can help companies bridge the gap between prototype demonstration and wider deployment.

27. Commercialisation Challenges

Challenges include engineering scale-up, component reliability, manufacturing quality, testing, qualification and customer adoption.

A technology can perform successfully in an initial demonstration yet require considerable additional work before broad commercial deployment.

The RDI-supported project is intended to address these remaining development stages.

28. Why Public RDI Support Matters

Advanced space technologies can require substantial investment before generating commercial revenue.

Private investors may be cautious when technical risks and development timelines are uncertain.

Structured public support can help finance promising indigenous technologies while requiring accountability and measurable progress.

The effectiveness of such support depends on project selection, oversight and actual technical outcomes.

29. Economic Significance

Successful indigenous propulsion development could create opportunities for specialised manufacturing, materials engineering, testing and satellite services.

It may also strengthen the competitiveness of Indian firms within the space value chain.

However, the announcement does not provide a verified figure for future revenue, employment or export earnings from this project.

30. Environmental Considerations

The use of alternative propellants can potentially improve selected aspects of operational safety and handling.

Environmental assessment should consider chemical production, storage, transport, emissions and disposal across the lifecycle.

Hydrogen peroxide-based systems must still be designed and operated with appropriate safeguards.

Green propulsion should therefore be understood as a technology-development objective rather than a guarantee of zero environmental impact.

31. UPSC GS Paper III Relevance

The project connects with space technology, indigenous innovation, research financing, industrial development and strategic capabilities.

It is useful for discussing how public policy can support private-sector deep-tech development.

UPSC answers can examine opportunities alongside technical, financial and commercialisation challenges.

32. Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Which company received the ₹116 crore RDI support agreement? Answer: Manastu Space Technologies.

Q2. Which government organisation signed the agreement? Answer: Technology Development Board.

Q3. TDB operates under which department? Answer: Department of Science and Technology.

Q4. What is the total project cost? Answer: ₹277.63 crore.

Q5. What is the financing instrument? Answer: Optionally Convertible Debt.

Q6. What propellant is used? Answer: Hydrogen peroxide-based green propellant with additives.

Q7. What is the intended thrust range? Answer: 5 mN to 300 N.

Q8. What is the target TRL progression? Answer: TRL-6 to TRL-9.

Q9. Where is Manastu Space based? Answer: Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Q10. What specialised catalyst is being developed? Answer: Ultra-high-temperature ceramic catalyst.

Q11. What is the SI unit of thrust? Answer: Newton.

Q12. Does the agreement establish that the entire project has reached TRL-9? Answer: No.

33. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

Question 1: Examine the role of indigenous propulsion technologies in strengthening India's strategic autonomy and competitiveness in the global space economy.

Question 2: Discuss the importance of public research and innovation financing for private deep-technology companies. Analyse the challenges of taking a space technology from prototype demonstration to operational deployment.

34. Conclusion

The ₹116 crore RDI support agreement between TDB-DST and Manastu Space marks an important step in India's indigenous space propulsion development.

With a total project cost of ₹277.63 crore, the programme aims to develop scalable hydrogen peroxide-based propulsion systems across the 5 mN to 300 N thrust range.

The project targets advancement from TRL-6 to TRL-9. Its success will depend on engineering, testing, validation and eventual operational adoption.

35. Official Source

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