V Narayanan has been appointed as the new chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), succeeding S Somanath. He will also serve as the Secretary of the Department of Space, effective January 14, 2025, for a term of two years or until further orders.
Transition in Leadership
The Union government announced the appointment on Tuesday, with the decision approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. Narayanan, currently the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), will take over both roles, continuing ISRO’s ambitious trajectory in space exploration.
Who is V Narayanan?
V Narayanan is a distinguished scientist with nearly four decades of experience in rocket and spacecraft propulsion.
- Early Career: He joined ISRO in 1984, working initially in solid propulsion for Sounding Rockets and satellite launch vehicles at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).
- Key Contributions:
- Processed and realized advanced components like ablative nozzle systems and composite motor cases.
- Played a significant role in propulsion systems critical to ISRO’s launch vehicles.
- Current Role: As Director of LPSC, headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram, Narayanan oversees one of ISRO’s pivotal centres with operations also in Bengaluru.
ISRO’s Recent Achievements
Under its current leadership, ISRO has made headlines with the development of SpaDex, an indigenously built space docking technology.
- Significance of SpaDex: This technology is vital for upcoming missions such as Chandrayaan 4 and Gaganyaan.
- Global Recognition: SpaDex places India among an elite group of countries with space docking capabilities, including the United States, Russia, and China.
Looking Ahead
With V Narayanan at the helm, ISRO is expected to continue its path-breaking innovations in space technology, further strengthening India’s position as a global leader in space exploration.
