India’s space endeavors are set for a monumental shift, with hydrogen poised to become a cornerstone of future missions, announced Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V. Narayanan on Friday. His remarks came during the National Workshop on Hydrogen Fuel Technologies and Future Trends, where he addressed the critical global challenges of increasing energy demand and the urgent need to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
A Green Leap Forward in Fueling Space Missions
Narayanan hailed hydrogen as “a beacon of hope,” emphasizing its status as one of the cleanest available fuels. He highlighted its indispensable role in ISRO’s groundbreaking achievements, citing India’s 100th successful GSLV Mk III rocket launch in January. This mission showcased India’s mastery of cryogenic technology, utilizing liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen – a capability once denied to the nation. Further underscoring this progress, ISRO successfully demonstrated a 100-watt oxygen-based fuel cell in space last year, with a more powerful 20-kilowatt version currently undergoing testing.
Beyond its application in rockets, Narayanan noted hydrogen’s versatile potential across various sectors, including aircraft, trains, automobiles, and general fuel cells. He recalled a successful collaboration between ISRO and Tata Motors in 2010–11, which led to the development and safe testing of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered bus. This initiative demonstrated early confidence in the technology, paving the way for five hydrogen-powered buses to commence commercial operations in June 2025. Major companies like BHEL and NTPC are now actively developing advanced hydrogen systems and gas turbine engines, signaling a broader adoption of this green fuel.
Addressing Safety and Charting a Hydrogen Economy
However, Narayanan also raised important considerations regarding hydrogen safety. “Hydrogen flames are colorless and dangerous,” he cautioned, stressing the critical importance of never overlooking safety risks, particularly given the large-scale hydrogen facilities being developed. This concern highlights the pressing need for rapid, millisecond-level hydrogen sensors, a significant improvement over the current three-to-four-second response times.
Echoing the sentiment, NITI Aayog member Vijay Kumar Saraswat asserted that accelerating India’s transition to a hydrogen economy is crucial for achieving its net-zero ambitions. He pointed to advancements by other nations, such as China’s progress with hydrogen-methanol technologies, and urged India to intensify indigenous Research & Development efforts. Saraswat emphasized the need for robust testing infrastructure, including 700-bar storage systems, and the innovation of novel storage materials. He particularly highlighted the importance of hydrogen internal combustion engines and carriers like methanol for heavy-duty transport and marine sectors, where battery limitations persist. Saraswat concluded by calling on India to move beyond mere imitation, invest in self-reliant hydrogen solutions, and strategically position hydrogen as a vital bridge in the global energy transition from fossil fuels to renewables.