India backs Manastu green propulsion with $12.2m financing

(SpaceEnergy) India's Technology Development Board has agreed ₹116 crore (approximately US$12.2m) in financing for Manastu Space Technologies to develop green propulsion systems for satellites and launch vehicles.

The government announced the agreement on 26 October, confirming support under its Research, Development and Innovation Fund.

The financing will be provided through optionally convertible debt rather than a conventional grant.

The programme has a total project cost of ₹277.63 crore (approximately US$29.2m) and aims to develop an integrated propulsion platform covering thrust levels from 5 millinewtons (mN) to 300 newtons (N).

The project is intended to advance the technology from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 to TRL 9, supporting engineering development, system integration, testing and qualification for operational deployment.

Mumbai-based Manastu is developing propulsion systems using hydrogen peroxide-based propellants containing specialised additives.

The technology incorporates propulsion engines, propellant feed systems and an ultra-high-temperature ceramic catalyst designed for operation under demanding conditions.

The government said Manastu's propulsion technology had already been demonstrated in space.

The newly financed programme will build on that flight heritage to improve performance, reliability and readiness for wider deployment across satellite and launch vehicle applications.

The Technology Development Board said the investment would strengthen India's domestic spacecraft propulsion supply chain and reduce reliance on imported technologies.

Neither a financing disbursement timetable nor a target date for achieving TRL 9 was disclosed.