Mumbai-based space startup Manastu Space announced on Wednesday that it had successfully tested its self-developed thruster, Vyom 2U, onboard the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-4 (POEM). This test, which occurred on New Year’s Eve, involved tilting the platform by 24 degrees and imparting angular velocity before the onboard systems regained control.

The POEM-4 platform, which forms part of the PSLV-C60 rocket launched carrying the SpaDeX satellites, was placed in orbit at an altitude of 350 km. The platform will be used for in-orbit experiments by ISRO labs, startups, and educational institutions.

Tushar Jadhav, founder and CEO of Manastu Space, stated, "The 30-second test firing tilted the POEM-4 platform by 24 degrees, imparting an angular velocity of 0.5 degrees per second before the systems took control again."

The Vyom 2U thruster uses MS289 green propellant, a blend of hydrogen peroxide, replacing the hazardous hydrazine-based propellants previously used in satellites.

Manastu expressed gratitude to ISRO and IN-SPACe for providing the platform to test their green propulsion system. Other experiments on the POEM-4 include seed germination in space, a robotic arm to capture tethered debris, and various space technology demonstrations.

The POEM platform is hosting 24 experiments, with 14 from ISRO labs and 10 from startups and private universities, providing an accessible platform for space technology development.