Rocket Scientist V Narayanan to Propel ISRO into the Future

Thiruvananthapuram/New Delhi: V Narayanan, a distinguished rocket and spacecraft propulsion expert with nearly four decades of experience, is set to succeed S Somanath as the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Narayanan, currently the director of ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), will take charge as ISRO chairman and Secretary of the Department of Space on January 14, 2025, as per an announcement by the Union government.

Narayanan's appointment has been approved for a period of two years or until further orders. Known for his extensive work in propulsion systems, he joined ISRO in 1984, contributing to critical missions involving Solid and Liquid Propulsion technologies across vehicles like the PSLV and ASLV.

During his tenure, Narayanan has played a vital role in realizing advanced technologies such as ablative nozzle systems and composite motor components. His leadership at LPSC, headquartered in Valiamala, Thiruvananthapuram, with a unit in Bengaluru, has significantly advanced ISRO's propulsion capabilities.

The announcement comes as ISRO garners global attention for its recent milestones, including SpaDex, India's indigenous space docking technology critical for future missions like Chandrayaan-4 and Gaganyaan. With SpaDex, India joins an elite club of nations equipped with such technology, alongside the US, Russia, and China.