TDB Pledges ₹116 Crore to Manastu Space for Green Satellite Thrusters
The Technology Development Board has signed an agreement to provide ₹116 crore in financial support to Manastu Space Technologies under the DST Research, Development and Innovation Fund. The total project is valued at ₹277.63 crore and focuses on developing non-toxic green propulsion systems for satellites and launch vehicles.
What happened
The Technology Development Board (TDB), operating under the Department of Science and Technology, has committed ₹116 crore to M/s Manastu Space Technologies Private Limited. The agreement has been structured through the government's Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund in the form of Optionally Convertible Debt.
The entire project carries an estimated total cost of ₹277.63 crore. It is aimed at developing a scalable, integrated indigenous green propulsion platform spanning a thrust capacity of 5 millinewtons (mN) to 300 newtons (N). The initiative plans to advance the technology from Technology Readiness Level 6 to Level 9 through comprehensive engineering, integration, testing, and validation.
The propulsion architecture relies on an indigenous hydrogen peroxide-based green propellant with additives, alongside an ultra-high-temperature ceramic catalyst designed for harsh operating environments. Manastu Space, headquartered in Navi Mumbai, was founded in 2017 by IIT Bombay alumni Tushar Jadhav and Ashtesh Kumar.
Important dates
| Official Announcement Date | 26 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| News Publication Date | 28 October 2026 |
📌 Static GK links
- Technology Development Board (TDB) Parent Department: Department of Science & Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.
- TDB Establishment: Established in September 1996 under the Technology Development Board Act, 1995.
- Manastu Space Headquarters: Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra.
What candidates should do
- Note the exact financial allocation of ₹116 crore and the total project cost of ₹277.63 crore for numerical questions in banking and SSC exams.
- Revise the parent department of the Technology Development Board and its establishment year under static GK.
- Understand the core application of green propulsion systems and hydrogen peroxide-based propellants in space technology.
PrepZen analysis
This funding agreement under the Research, Development and Innovation Fund highlights India's push toward deep-technology sectors, specifically space technology and sustainable propulsion systems. For competitive exam aspirants, questions from this news item will likely test financial figures, executing bodies, headquarters locations, and technical parameters like thrust capacity ranges and propellant types.
Practice questions
Q1. How much financial support has the Technology Development Board (TDB) pledged to Manastu Space Technologies for green propulsion?
Q2. Where is M/s Manastu Space Technologies Private Limited headquartered?
Q3. Under which statutory body and department is the Technology Development Board (TDB) established?
Total project cost is valued at ₹277.63 crore for green satellite thrusters.
Project develops non-toxic propulsion units spanning 5 mN to 300 N thrust capacity.
Technology targets scalable propulsion systems for satellites and launch vehicles.
🎯 Key Point: TDB provides ₹116 crore to Manastu Space for green propulsion.
FAQs
What is the total project cost for Manastu Space's green propulsion initiative?
The total project cost is valued at ₹277.63 crore, with ₹116 crore provided as financial support by the Technology Development Board.
What propellant does the newly funded green propulsion system use?
The system utilizes an indigenous hydrogen peroxide-based green propellant with additives, paired with an ultra-high-temperature ceramic catalyst.
What is the thrust capacity range of the propulsion units being developed?
The non-toxic propulsion units span a thrust capacity from 5 millinewtons (mN) to 300 newtons (N).
When was the Technology Development Board (TDB) established?
The TDB was established in September 1996 under the Technology Development Board Act, 1995.
Sources and references
- pib.gov.in (www.pib.gov.in) Official
- tdb.gov.in (tdb.gov.in) Official
- ddindia.co.in (ddindia.co.in)
- psuconnect.in (www.psuconnect.in)
Prepared by PrepZen for exam preparation. Consult the linked sources for original announcements and current details. Corrections policy. Spotted an error? Write to prepzen.app@gmail.com.
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