New Delhi: Manastu Space is a Navi Mumbai-based New Space startup that is developing green propulsion systems for satellites. The conventional fuel used for satellites is a toxic and carcinogenic fuel known as hydrazine, which is being phased out by all spacefaring nations. Manastu Space has developed a greener alternative that is about as hazardous as table salt, and has demonstrated its Vyom 2u propulsion system on ISRO’s POEM-4 platform. Proving the hardware in space is attracting customers, with the DRDO being one of the earliest customers for the more powerful iBooster propulsion system, developed by Manastu Space. The modular propulsion systems are designed to be easily integrated with satellites.
Prashant Singh, head of the Design department at Manastu Space explains the challenges of designing propulsion systems for satellites. “So user experience when it comes to space missions, usually refers to ease of integration. You can take our propulsion system for example, it is a very modular, very plug-and-play kind of system, which ensures that the final customers which will be using it, are able to integrate it with their satellites pretty easily. This modularity is ensured in design level itself. We have multiple components in place like propellent tanks, thrusters, valves, which are built in a way that can be modularly used in different kinds of propulsion systems. So as soon as we get some requirements, we just size those components accordingly, and we have our final propulsion system ready.”
The advent of miniaturisation has resulted in the deployment of a large number of microsatellites and nanosatellites, including megaconstellations. For the responsible and sustainable use of Low Earth Orbit, it is necessary that all satellites carry sufficient on-board propulsion to safely deorbit the satellites at the ends of their planned mission duration. The green propulsion tech developed by Manastu Space ensures just that, so the technology is not just sustainable on the Earth, but is sustainable for space as well.
