The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): In a landmark achievement for India’s space defense technology, the Green Propulsion System, developed under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has successfully demonstrated its in-orbit functionality. This significant development took place on a payload launched by the PSLV C-58 mission. The project, titled “1N Class Green Monopropellant thruster for altitude control and orbit keeping of micro satellite,” was executed by Bellatrix Aerospace Pvt Ltd, a Bengaluru-based startup.
The validation of this breakthrough was conducted by analyzing Telemetry Data from the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) at the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru. The data, when compared with ground-level solutions, confirmed that the system exceeded all anticipated performance parameters.
This green propulsion technology represents a major step forward in environmentally friendly space travel. It includes non-toxic and eco-friendly propulsion systems ideal for low orbit space missions with high thrust requirements. The system comprises indigenously developed components such as Propellant, Fill and Drain Valves, Latch Valve, Solenoid Valve, Catalyst Bed, Drive Electronics, and more.
The entire project was conducted under the guidance of the Project Monitoring & Mentoring Group of DRDO. It successfully demonstrated various functionalities including pulsed mode and steady state firing in a vacuum, passivation of residual propellant in outer space, propellant realization, and establishing filling procedures.
The TDF, under the Ministry of Defence, is a flagship program executed by DRDO as part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative. It primarily aims to fund innovation in the defence and aerospace sectors, particularly encouraging startups and MSMEs. This achievement not only showcases India’s growing capabilities in space technology but also its commitment to sustainable and responsible space exploration and defense.