Porous γ-Al 2 O 3 support with improved mechanical strength was synthesized via sol gel method in granular form having different mesh sizes i.e., 0.60–1.0mm and 2.0–2.8mm, followed by rehydration at room temperature and calcination at 1023K, and was employed for the preparation of Ir and Ru catalysts by impregnation method. The structural features of supports, Ir/γ-Al 2 O 3 and Ru/γ-Al 2 O 3 catalysts were characterized by N 2 physiosorption, H 2 chemisorption, crushing strength measurements, XRD, SEM, and TEM. The catalytic activity was evaluated for hydrazine decomposition in a 1N microthruster at ambient temperature.