IIT Bombay has once again propelled itself to the forefront of innovation and sustainability with the successful in-space test of the first green propulsion system for spacecraft, developed by its alumni and faculty. This groundbreaking achievement was realized by Manastu Space, a space tech startup led by alumni Mr. Tushar Jadhav (B.Tech., Aerospace Engineering, 2014) and Mr. Ashtesh Kumar (B.Tech., Mechanical Engineering, 2017).

The historic firing of the green propulsion system took place onboard PSLV C60 on December 31, 2024, at 8:50 PM in Lucknow. This innovation marks a significant step forward in developing environmentally friendly and efficient spacecraft technologies.

The success of this mission was bolstered by the pivotal contributions of IIT Bombay faculty members:

• Prof. Jayesh Bellare (Department of Chemical Engineering)
• Prof. Parag Bhargava (MEMS)
• Prof. Amol Gokhale (Department of Mechanical Engineering)

Their expertise and collaboration with the alumni-led team spotlight the Institute’s deep commitment to fostering cutting-edge research and impactful entrepreneurship.

This achievement exemplifies how IIT Bombay’s alumni and faculty continue to make strides in addressing global challenges, solidifying the Institute’s legacy as a hub of innovation and excellence in science and technology.