V Narayanan has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Secretary of the Department of Space, succeeding S Somanath. His appointment, effective from January 14, was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. When India was denied cryogenic technology for the GSLV Mk II vehicle, Narayanan played a crucial role in the successful development of the Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS), contributing significantly to its operationalisation.
Currently serving as the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), Narayanan is recognized for his expertise in rocket and spacecraft propulsion systems. He has made significant contributions in the development of liquid, semi-cryogenic, and cryogenic propulsion systems for launch vehicles and satellites.
Played Crucial Role in Developing Rohini Sounding Rockets
A Distinguished Scientist, Narayanan earned his M.Tech in cryogenic engineering with top honours from IIT Kharagpur in 1989 and completed his Ph.D. in aerospace engineering in 2001. His career at ISRO began in 1984, and he has since led several key projects, including the C25 Cryogenic Project for the GSLV Mk III vehicle, which made India’s most powerful launch vehicle operational. Narayanan contributed to the realisation of the solid propulsion system for Rohini Sounding Rockets and the Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle.
Narayanan’s leadership and technical innovations have earned him several prestigious awards, including the Silver Medal from IIT Kharagpur and the ASI Award for Rocket and Related Technologies. He is also a recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from Sathyabama University, Chennai. He will take over the reins of ISRO at a crucial time, bringing extensive experience to further India’s space ambitions.
