V Narayanan Appointed New ISRO Chief: What to Expect from the Rocket Scientist Leading India’s Space Missions

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New Delhi: The Indian government has appointed renowned rocket scientist V Narayanan as the new Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Secretary of the Department of Space. His tenure will commence on January 14, 2025, for a period of two years, succeeding S Somanath, the outgoing ISRO chief. The appointment was confirmed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

Narayanan’s appointment marks a significant milestone in India’s space journey. As the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Valiamala, Kerala, he has been instrumental in India’s space program for nearly four decades. His extensive experience in rocket propulsion and space technology positions him to lead ISRO through its next phase of exploration and innovation.

His new role involves overseeing the Department of Space, with his leadership expected to drive India’s space missions forward. Narayanan’s expertise in rocket and spacecraft propulsion has been crucial in several of ISRO’s landmark projects, including the development of the GSLV Mk III rocket, also known as India’s ‘Bahubali’.

Narayanan played a pivotal role as Project Director for the C25 Cryogenic Project, an essential component of the GSLV Mk III rocket, enabling India to launch heavier payloads into space. His leadership and technical acumen have been vital to ISRO’s growing capabilities in space exploration.

A graduate of IIT-Kharagpur, Narayanan’s M.Tech in Cryogenic Engineering earned him First Rank in 1989. He began his career with ISRO in 1984, working on various propulsion systems at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), contributing to key missions such as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV).

Narayanan’s appointment comes after S Somanath’s tenure, which saw several significant milestones, including the Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission that solidified India’s position in the global space exploration community. Narayanan’s leadership is expected to build on this success, pushing the boundaries of India’s space capabilities.

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