Mumbai-based startup Manastu Space Technologies has made a major breakthrough in India’s aerospace industry. The company has successfully delivered its innovative iBooster Green Propulsion System to the Defence
Mumbai-based startup Manastu Space Technologies has made a major breakthrough in India’s aerospace industry. The company has successfully delivered its innovative iBooster Green Propulsion System to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This milestone marks a significant achievement in India’s space exploration and satellite capabilities.
The iBooster system, developed by Manastu Space, is designed for satellites weighing between 100-500 kg. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that satellites can carry out key operations, such as orbit raising, station-keeping, and deorbiting. What makes this propulsion system stand out is its use of green fuel, offering a more sustainable and safer alternative to traditional rocket fuels.
The iBooster Green Propulsion System is powered by hydrogen peroxide-based fuel—a cutting-edge innovation that offers several advantages over conventional rocket fuels. Unlike the toxic and hazardous fuels traditionally used in propulsion systems, the green fuel used by Manastu Space provides enhanced performance, safety, and sustainability. This makes the iBooster system a pioneering solution for India’s growing space industry.
The system has been under development for four years, with significant support from DRDO’s Technology Development Fund (TDF). This collaboration showcases the importance of innovation and teamwork between Indian startups and government organizations in advancing the nation’s aerospace capabilities.
The iBooster system is not just a fuel-efficient solution, but it also integrates several proprietary technologies that enhance its overall performance:
With these innovative features, the iBooster is positioned to significantly impact India’s space exploration efforts and improve the sustainability of satellite operations.
Speaking about this achievement, Tushar Jadhav, the Co-founder of Manastu Space, expressed immense pride. He said, “Delivering this technology to DRDO is a proud milestone for us. It reflects our commitment to creating greener, safer, and highly efficient solutions for space exploration. This collaboration highlights the power of innovation and teamwork in advancing India’s aerospace capabilities.”
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in a statement, added, “Manastu Space’s achievement demonstrates the transformative potential of Indian startups in deep tech. Their innovation supports DRDO’s mission to enhance India’s defense and satellite capabilities.”
Manastu Space Technologies was founded in 2017 by Tushar Jadhav and Ashtesh Kumar. With a deep passion for sustainable space exploration, the duo set out to address some of the most critical challenges in the space industry—particularly in the area of propulsion systems and satellite technology.
Their startup has quickly gained recognition for its focus on green technologies and its commitment to making space exploration safer, more sustainable, and more efficient. Today, the company is poised to play a key role in India’s space industry as it develops new solutions that have the potential to change how satellites operate in space.
Manastu Space Technologies is not stopping here. The startup is gearing up for a groundbreaking space test of its green propulsion system on an upcoming PSLV mission by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation). This test will give the iBooster system an opportunity to demonstrate its capabilities on a global stage, further cementing its potential as a game-changer in space technology.
This upcoming test, which is highly anticipated by the Indian space community, will showcase Manastu Space’s innovations and help build momentum for future space missions, both within India and globally.
As the world turns its focus to sustainability, the importance of green technologies in space exploration cannot be overstated. The development of eco-friendly propulsion systems like iBooster is an important step toward reducing the environmental impact of space missions. For a nation like India, with ambitious plans for space exploration, adopting cleaner technologies will ensure that the country leads in both innovation and sustainability in space.
The success of Manastu Space Technologies demonstrates the growing strength of Indian startups in deep-tech sectors like space exploration. With DRDO’s support and continued innovation, Manastu Space is well-positioned to lead the way in developing cutting-edge solutions for space missions, from satellite propulsion to advanced space technology.
With this achievement, Manastu Space not only highlights the importance of innovation in India’s growing space industry but also shows how Indian startups can make a global impact in the space tech and green technology sectors.
