Dr V Narayanan has been appointed the next Chairman of the Indian Space Researcꦑh Organisation (ISRO), taking over from the incumbent S Somanath. The Union Government made th🎶e announcement on Tuesday, stating that Dr Narayanan will assume the prestigious role on January 14, 2025.
In addition to his role as ISRO Chairman, Dr Narayanan will also serve as th🐟e Secretary of the Department of Space.
The announcement was made via an official order from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. “The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri V. Narayanan, Director. Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, Valiamala as Secretary, Departme💟nt of Space and Chairman, Space Commission for a period of two years with effect from 14.01.2025, or until further orders, whichever is earlier,” the order stated.
Dr V Narayanan, currently the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) at Valiamala, has been with ISRO for nearly four decades. Known for his expertise in rocket and spacecraft propulsion, he has held several pivotal positions within the organization. His notable leadership as the Project Director for🌄 the GSLV Mk III’s C25 Cryogenic Project, which contributed to the development of a crucial component of India's heavy-lift vehicle, has earned him recognition as a key figure in ISRO's progress.
Under Dr Narayanan’s guidance, the LPSC has been at the forefront of space exploration, delivering 183 liquid propulsion systems and control power plants for various ISRO missions. His contributions include overseeing the propulsion systems for high-profile projects like the PSLV, Chandrayaan-2, and Chandra🌜yaan-3 missions. Dr Narayanan also played an integral role in the GSLV Mk III and Aditya Spacecra🌸ft propulsion systems, cementing his reputation as a leading scientist in India's space endeavors.
Throughout his illustrious career, Dr Narayanan has received several prestigious awards, including the Silver Medal from IIT Kharagpur, a Gold Medal from the Astronautical Society of India (ASI), and the National Design Award from the Nationaܫl Design and Research Forum (NDRF).
As ISRO prepares for ambitious missions such as Chandrayaan-4 and Gaganyaan, Dr Narayanan's experience in space technology and propulsion will play a crucial role in shaping the future of India’s space exploration efforts. ISRO’s recent achievements, including the successful launch of SpaDex, a cutting-edge indigenous space doc🐼king technolo🐈gy, further highlight India’s growing capabilities in the space sector.
