Discuss the significance of indigenous green propulsion technologies for India's space economy and strategic autonomy.

Green propulsion uses propellants that are less toxic and safer to handle, such as hydrogen peroxide-based monopropellants, in place of conventional hydrazine. The Technology Development Board (TDB) is giving Manastu Space ₹116 crore as Optionally Convertible Debt to take its green propulsion system from TRL-6 to TRL-9 [1]. This shows that India treats such technology as both an economic and a strategic priority.

Significance for the Space Economy

• Lower mission costs: green propellants reduce the operational challenges of conventional propellants and improve the economics of space missions [1].
• One platform, many markets: a single scalable architecture from 5 mN to 300 N covers small-satellite control and higher-thrust uses [1].
• Private industry gets flight experience: Manastu's VYOM-2U and Bellatrix's RUDRA 1.0 HPGP both tested hydrogen peroxide thrusters on ISRO's POEM-4 (PSLV-C60) [2]. This builds a domestic supplier base.
• Patient capital: the ₹1 lakh crore RDI Scheme gives long-tenor loans at low or nil interest to projects at higher technology readiness levels (TRLs) [3]. This bridges the "valley of death" that private venture capital usually avoids.

Significance for Strategic Autonomy

• Less dependence on imports: propulsion is a critical part of the space value chain. The project aims to reduce reliance on externally sourced technologies [1].
• More than one supplier: two Indian firms have now tested thrusters in orbit [2], so India does not have to rely on a single source.
• Self-reliance across platforms: the same capability can serve both satellites and launch vehicles [1], supporting Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Sustainable access to space: safer propellants make launch and satellite operations more sustainable and less hazardous to handle [1].

Challenges

• A demonstration is not full maturity: POEM is a short-life orbital test bed meant for technology demonstration [2]. Reaching TRL-9 needs repeated operational missions.
• Repayment risk: support comes as loans, not grants [3], so success depends on firms finding paying customers.

Indigenous green propulsion therefore connects cheaper, cleaner commercial spaceflight with technological self-reliance. Three steps would help these thrusters reach TRL-9 and commercial scale: ISRO and IN-SPACe acting as first customers, RDI payments linked to milestones, and equal access to funding for rival firms. Together these would advance Atmanirbhar Bharat and SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure).