Dr. V Narayanan, a notable scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is poised to take over as the next chairman, succeeding S. Somanath on January 14, 2025.
At present, he holds the position of Director at the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), where he has significantly impacted India’s space missions for almost four decades.
Dr. Narayanan began his career at ISRO in 1984 and has occupied several key positions over the years. His knowledge in rocket and spacecraft propulsion has played a crucial role in various significant projects.
Importantly, he served as the Project Director for the C25 Cryogenic Project related to the GSLV Mk III vehicle, guiding his team to effectively create the C25 Stage, an essential part of this launch vehicle. Under his guidance, LPSC has produced 183 Liquid Propulsion Systems and Control Power plants for different ISRO missions, making noteworthy contributions to the PSLV and GSLV initiatives.
His contributions include significant missions like Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and the Aditya Spacecraft, highlighting his adaptability and dedication to enhancing India’s space capabilities.
Dr. Narayanan possesses a PhD in Aerospace Engineering and attained his M.Tech with top honors from IIT Kharagpur.
His scholarly achievements have garnered multiple esteemed awards, such as the Silver Medal from IIT Kharagpur, a Gold Medal from the Astronautical Society of India, and the Distinguished Alumnus Award 2018 awarded by former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
As he gets ready to assume his new position as ISRO chief, Dr. Narayanan envisions prioritizing human spaceflight and advancing next-generation launch vehicles.
His vast experience equips him effectively to guide ISRO into its upcoming phase, further molding India’s ambitions in space exploration and technology.
Dr. Narayanan, having served as the head of the Indian space agency for two years, will play a crucial role in guiding the progress of several important missions from India, such as Chandrayaan-4, Gaganyaan Mission, Venus Mission, Mangalyaan-2, and the development of the Reusable Launch Vehicle.
