The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will soon witness a leadership change, as V. Narayanan has been named its new Chairman. The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Government of India. V. Narayanan will succeed Dr. S. Somanath as the head of ISRO and will also take charge as the Secretary of the Department of Space. According to the directive issued by the Cabinet Appointments Committee, V. Narayanan will assume office on January 14, following Dr. Somanath’s retirement. He will serve in this capacity for two years or until further notice.
V. Narayanan is a distinguished scientist with nearly four decades of expertise in rocket and spacecraft propulsion systems. Renowned as a propulsion specialist, he joined ISRO in 1984 and has held several key positions before becoming the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC).
During the early phase of his career, Narayanan worked at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) on projects involving sounding rockets and solid propulsion systems for the Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). His contributions include advancements in ablative nozzle systems, composite motor cases, and composite igniter cases.
Presently, Narayanan heads LPSC, a critical ISRO center headquartered in Valiamala, Thiruvananthapuram, with an additional unit in Bengaluru. His extensive experience and expertise in rocket and spacecraft operations make him a pivotal figure in India’s space endeavors.
Dr. S. Somanath, the outgoing ISRO Chairman, took office on January 14, 2022. Over his three-year tenure, ISRO achieved remarkable milestones. Under his leadership, ISRO made history by landing Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon’s south pole, a first for any space agency globally. Additionally, the Aditya-L1 mission was launched to study the Sun from the Lagrange Point, 1.5 million kilometers away from Earth.
As Somanath prepares to retire, he leaves behind a legacy of groundbreaking achievements that have cemented ISRO’s position as a global leader in space exploration.
With V. Narayanan at the helm, ISRO is poised to continue its ambitious pursuits in space research and exploration. His vast experience and visionary approach are expected to drive the organization toward new heights, further enhancing India’s reputation in the global space community.
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