V Narayanan Appointed New ISRO Chairman

January 9, 2025

On January 7, 2025, the Government of India announced the appointment of V Narayanan as the new Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Secretary of the Department of Space. He will officially take office on January 14, 2025, succeeding S Somanath. Narayanan’s extensive experience in rocket propulsion and his leadership role at ISRO come at a very important time for India’s space programme, which is advancing in satellite technology and human space missions.

Background of V Narayanan

V Narayanan hails from Melakattu village in Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu. He excelled in mechanical engineering, earning the First Rank Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and later an Associate Membership in Mechanical Engineering. He pursued further studies at IIT Kharagpur, where he completed his M.Tech in Cryogenic Engineering, graduating with a Silver Medal. Narayanan also holds a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering.

Professional Journey at ISRO

Narayanan joined ISRO in 1984 and has held various roles. He served as Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) since January 2018. His contributions include leading projects for the Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) and the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). His work has been crucial in developing propulsion systems for several missions, including the GSLV Mk III and the Chandrayaan missions.

Key Contributions to Space Missions

As Project Director for the GSLV Mk III C25 Cryogenic Project, Narayanan oversaw the successful launch of the GSLV Mk III, a major milestone for ISRO. He played a vital role in developing cryogenic propulsion systems for the Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3 missions, enhancing landing strategies and ensuring mission success. His efforts in the Gaganyaan programme focused on human-rating the LVM3 vehicle and ensuring safety systems.

Awards and Recognition

Narayanan has received numerous accolades for his work in aerospace and space research. He was honoured with the Gold Medal from the Astronautical Society of India and the Outstanding Achievement Award from ISRO. In 2018, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Sathyabama University and the Distinguished Alumni Award from IIT Kharagpur. His contributions were further recognised with the National Design Award in 2019.

ISRO – Indian Space Research Organisation, founded in 1969.
GSLV Mk III – Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III, ISRO’s heavy-lift launch vehicle.
Chandrayaan – India’s lunar exploration programme, initiated in 2003.
ASLV – Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle, a predecessor to PSLV.
LPSC – Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, crucial for propulsion system development.

Future Prospects for ISRO

With Narayanan at the helm, ISRO is poised to enhance its capabilities in satellite technology and international collaborations. His expertise in rocket propulsion and human spaceflight is expected to drive ISRO towards new frontiers in space exploration. The agency aims to achieve ambitious projects like Gaganyaan and strengthen its global presence in space research. Narayanan’s leadership will be very important in navigating ISRO through upcoming challenges and innovations in the space sector.

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