New Delhi: Rocket scientist V Narayanan has been appointed as the next Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

He will assume the position on January 14, succeeding the current ISRO chief, S. Somanath.

The announcement was made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

Here are some key details about his academic background and contributions to ISRO:

Academic Excellence:
Mr. Narayanan completed his M.Tech in Cryogenic Engineering and a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from IIT Kharagpur.

He earned the prestigious Silver Medal for securing the top rank in his M.Tech program.

Early Career in ISRO:
Joining ISRO in 1984, he started his journey in the field of propulsion systems.

Initially, he worked on Solid Propulsion for Sounding Rockets, the Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV), and the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).

Cryogenic Engine Development:
He has played a pivotal role in India’s cryogenic engine development—a technology that was initially denied to India.

His efforts laid the foundation for advancements in space propulsion technology.

Propulsion Expertise:
He contributed to the design and manufacturing of Ablative Nozzle Systems, Composite Motor Cases, and Composite Igniter Cases, showcasing his expertise in propulsion engineering.

Chandrayaan Success:
As the head of the Failure Analysis Committee for Chandrayaan-2, he analyzed the issues that led to the Vikram Lander’s crash.

Incidentally, his recommendations were instrumental in ensuring the success of Chandrayaan-3, where Vikram Lander achieved a historic soft landing at the Shiv Shakti Point.

Leadership at LPSC:
Since 2018, he has been serving as the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Kerala.

LPSC developed liquid, semi-cryogenic, and cryogenic propulsion systems for launch vehicles, as well as advanced propulsion systems for satellites under Narayanan Leadership.

V NARAYANAN Current Roles in ISRO:

Narayanan is currently an apex-scale Distinguished Scientist and the senior-most director in ISRO.

And also chairs the Project Management Council-Space Transportation System (PMC-STS), which oversees all launch vehicle projects.

Additionally, he leads the National Human Rated Certification Board (HRCB) for Gaganyaan, India’s ambitious human spaceflight mission.

During his two-year tenure as ISRO Chairman, Mr. Narayanan will also chair the Space Commission, guiding the organization’s strategic decisions.

Speaking from Thiruvananthapuram after his appointment, V Narayanan expressed his aspirations:

• We have a clear vision for India’s space exploration.

• I look forward to elevating ISRO’s capabilities further, as we have exceptional talent within our team.”