V Narayanan has been appointed the new Space Secretary and chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro). Currently serving as the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), Narayanan will succeed the incumbent chairman, S Somanath, from January 14.
V Narayanan Appointed As New ISRO Chairman
Why In News
- V Narayanan has been appointed the new Space Secretary and chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro). Currently serving as the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), Narayanan will succeed the incumbent chairman, S Somanath, from January 14.
- According to the order from the appointments committee of the Cabinet, V Narayanan will assume office on January 14, succeeding the current ISRO chief, S Somanath.
- V Narayanan will serve in these roles for the next two years or until further notice.
- “The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri V. Narayanan, Director. Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, Valiamala as Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, Space Commission for a period of two years with effect from 14.01.2025, or until further orders, whichever is earlier,” the order stated.
Who Is V Narayanan
- Narayanan is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, where he completed his M.Tech in cryogenic engineering with first rank in 1989 and earned his doctorate in aerospace engineering in 2001.
- He has received several prestigious awards, including the Silver Medal from IIT Kharagpur for first rank in M.Tech, the gold medal from the Astronautical Society of India (ASI), the ASI Award for Rocket and Related Technologies, and the Team Award from the High Energy Materials Society of India.
- He has also been conferred an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by Sathyabama University, Chennai. After completing his studies, Narayanan worked with TI Diamond Chain Ltd, Madras Rubber Factory, BHEL Trichy, and BHEL Ranipet for one and a half years before joining Isro in 1984.
- Over the years, he has served in various capacities, eventually becoming the Director of LPSC in January 2018.
- In the early stages of his career at Isro, Narayanan contributed to the realisation of the solid propulsion system for Rohini Sounding Rockets and the Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle.
- As Project Director for the C25 Cryogenic Project of the GSLV Mk III vehicle, he led the team that successfully developed the C25 Cryogenic Stage, powered by a 20-tonne thrust engine using liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen.
- He played a pivotal role in the maiden launch of the GSLV Mk III vehicle, making it operational. 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.
S Somanath
- S Somanath took over as the ISRO chief in January 2022 and it was under him that India became the first country in the world to land a rover in the south pole region of the Moon. It also joined an elite club of countries to achieve a soft landing on the Moon, after the US, the former Soviet Union, and China.
