The World's Safest, Most Efficient Green Propulsion SystemHow Our Technology WorksOur team, along with the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT Bombay), have indigenously developed a Hydrogen peroxide-based green propulsion technology. In satellites and spacecrafts, propulsion is achieved through a thruster. Our thruster works on the governing principles of a rocket engine. The key difference is that of the propellant, and hence the internal thruster design. Our thruster uses Hydrogen peroxide with additives to enhance the performance (HPA).A crucial component governing the performance and life of a thruster is the catalyst. We at Manastu Space have invented a proprietary high-temperature catalyst that can effectively decompose hydrogen peroxide, withstand high temperatures and thermal stresses.The 'I-Booster' system consists of a new Hydrogen Peroxide-based fuel, a bespoke engine design, a new catalyst, and is based on deep IP. With our indigenous yet world's most efficient propulsion system, we enable; 25% Less fuel consumption 60% Reduction in operational costs And a resulting 30% savings for satellite manufacturers and launchers per launch.Our fuel mitigates the risk caused by a failed primary life support system, enabling the astronauts to fly in confidence for deep space and long-duration missions. This is possible because of the highly advantageous by-products (water, oxygen, and heat out) of our fuel when undergone catalytic decomposition. Essentially serving as a secondary life support system in propelling towards viable targets such as Mars
Manastu Space, started in 2017 by two IIT-Bombay alumni, Tushar Jadhav and Ashtesh Kumar, intends to fix this problem by keeping a ‘fuel tank’ up in space. Any satellite who’s onboard ‘course-keeper’ engine is in danger of running out of fuel, can be refueled by this fuel tank. This, of course, requires mastery over ‘docking’, but Jadhav and Kumar are confident of getting there. “Re-fueling-as-a-service” and “in-space-service” are the terms that keep knocking about when you talk to Jadhav and Kumar. They say that the space re-fueler system is targeted for 3-4 years from now. “The technology is there, it is only a matter of finding the resources,” Jadhav told Quantum.
According to Ashtesh, who serves as the CTO at Manastu, they have developed a new propulsion technology for satellites and it will be powered by 'MS-289' which is a proprietary blend of Hydrogen peroxide and additives. In order to initiate the combustion of this novel fuel, the company will be using a chemical catalyst, that performs the similar function of a sparkplug in an automobile.
"Fuel is as safe as common salt, hence less safety precautions and less infrastructure cost, Agile System due to ability to produce higher thrust compared to Electric Propulsion, 50 per cent Higher Performance due to higher combustion temperature and higher density of our fuel and engine design".
Three variants of this propulsion system have been built- to meet the requirements of satellites of different sizes (weighing over 100kg, small cube satellites etc.
By September this year, five-year-old company is optimistic about conducting a final test that involves putting the satellites through the rigours of space-like conditions(thermovac test), at a test facility. Once this test is complete, the team hopes to launch their satellite to space in early 2023 ...
According to team Manastu, India's state-run Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) has signed up to have this technology onboard an Indian strategic satellite, whereas a French company is also in talks to utilise this system in the final stage of their rocket, for orbit correction and maneuvers.
Manastu Space, a Mumbai-based start-up that manufactures propulsion systems for rockets, has secured a contract from a French company called Venture Orbital Systems.
Romann Heurlin, launcher mission analysis engineer at Venture Orbital System, has said in a LinkedIn post that Venture Orbital and Manastu have teamed up “for the development and supply of a fully integrated auxiliary propulsion system for our micro launcher, Zephyr.” Heurlin further states that “the green-propellant propulsion system will enable Zephyr to perform in-orbit manoeuvres and attitude control to deliver our nanosatellites clients to their desired orbital parameters with prevision and reliability.”
