SOURCE: AFI
Mumbai-based startup ManastuSpace has reached a major milestone by transferring its indigenous Green Propulsion System technology to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Founded in 2016 by Tushar Jadhav (28), a former DRDO scientist, and Ashtesh Kumar (25), a technologist from IIT Bombay’s Pratham student satellite project, ManastuSpace is revolutionizing satellite propulsion systems with a focus on sustainability and cost efficiency.
Tushar Jadhav and Ashtesh Kumar crossed paths while working on Pratham, a 10 kg student satellite project at IIT Bombay designed to count electrons in the ionosphere. With complementary backgrounds—Tushar in Aerospace Engineering (BTech and MTech) and Ashtesh in Mechanical Engineering (BTech and MTech)—they combined their expertise to develop a green alternative to traditional satellite propulsion systems.
The indigenous system provides an impulse of 275 seconds, a 25% increase over hydrazine-based systems, which offer only 220 seconds of impulse. This translates to 25% less fuel consumption and increased operational productivity.
The fuel used in this system is 40 times less toxic than hydrazine, reducing the risks associated with handling and storage. The system is 60% cheaper than conventional options, thanks to lower safety and handling costs due to its safer fuel. Satellites equipped with this propulsion system have a lifespan of up to five years in orbit, ensuring longer operational periods.
ManastuSpace has been rigorously testing the prototype at its Mumbai laboratory and the Shell Oil and Gas campus in Bengaluru. These trials aim to validate the technology’s efficiency, safety, and reliability, ensuring it meets the demands of the commercial and defense sectors.
Currently, most satellites rely on either electric propulsion systems or chemical propulsion systems using hydrazine-based fuel. While electric propulsion systems are energy-efficient for small-scale adjustments, chemical systems are preferred for rapid, high-thrust maneuvers. ManastuSpace’s green propulsion system bridges the gap, offering a cleaner, more efficient chemical-based solution.