V. Narayanan assumes cost as new ISRO chief, succeeding S. Somanath

Throughout his 40 years at ISRO, together with seven as Director of LPSC, he made important contributions to India’s house program. Picture: Periasamy M/ The Hindu.

V. Narayanan has assumed cost because the chairman of ISRO, changing S. Somanath, the Area Company stated.

In a press release, the ISRO stated, “Dr. V. Narayanan, Distinguished Scientist (Apex Grade), assumed the cost of Secretary, Division of Area, Chairman, Area Fee and Chairman, ISRO on the afternoon of January 13, 2025.”

Previous to this, Dr. Narayanan served because the Director of ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Techniques Centre (LPSC), a key facility liable for the event of propulsion methods for launch automobiles and spacecraft.

He additionally performed a pivotal position because the Chairman of the Nationwide Degree Human Rated Certification Board (HRCB) for the Gaganyaan programme, India’s formidable human spaceflight mission.

A veteran scientist, Dr. Narayanan joined ISRO in 1984 and has contributed considerably to India’s house missions over the a long time. He turned the Director of LPSC in January 2018, cementing his popularity as a frontrunner in rocket and spacecraft propulsion applied sciences.

Dr. Narayanan hails from a humble background and is an alumnus of IIT Kharagpur, the place he accomplished his M.Tech in Cryogenic Engineering and PhD in Aerospace Engineering. Awarded the Silver Medal for securing the primary rank in his M.Tech programme, he has additionally acquired the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2018 and the Life Fellowship Award in 2023 from IIT Kharagpur.

Earlier than becoming a member of ISRO, Dr. Narayanan labored for a short interval at T.I. Diamond Chain Ltd., Madras Rubber Manufacturing unit, and Bharat Heavy Electricals Restricted (BHEL) at Trichy and Ranipet.

Over his 40-year tenure at ISRO, together with seven years as Director of the Liquid Propulsion Techniques Centre (LPSC), he has made groundbreaking contributions to India’s house programme.

“When India was denied the cryogenic expertise for GSLV Mk-ll car, he designed the engine methods, developed crucial software program instruments, contributed for establishing the required infrastructure and check services, testing and qualification and finishing the event of Cryogenic Higher Stage (CUS) and making it operational,” ISRO stated.

As undertaking director of the C25 cryogenic undertaking for the LVM3 car, he led the event of the C25 cryogenic stage powered by a 20-tonne thrust engine, which was essential for the profitable maiden launch of LVM3. His M.Tech thesis and PhD work had been instrumental within the growth of those methods, making India considered one of solely six nations with indigenous cryogenic expertise.

Dr. Narayanan performed a significant position in India’s lunar missions. For Chandryaan-2 and three, he led the event of the L110 Liquid Stage, the C25 Cryogenic Stage, and propulsion methods that enabled the spacecraft to succeed in the Moon’s orbit and obtain a delicate touchdown.

For the PSLV C57/Aditya L1 mission, he oversaw the realisation of the second and fourth levels, management energy vegetation, and the propulsion system that helped place the spacecraft in a halo orbit at L1, making India the fourth nation to efficiently research the Solar.

Dr. Narayanan has been instrumental within the Gaganyaan programme, contributing to the human-rating of the LVM3 car and the event of varied methods, together with cryogenic levels, life assist methods, and propulsion methods for the crew and repair modules. He additionally chaired the Gaganyaan Certification Board, overseeing the certification course of for a number of methods.

Beneath his management, ISRO has superior the event of next-generation propulsion methods, together with a 200-tonne thrust LOX-Kerosene semi-cryogenic rocket system, a 110-tonne thrust LOX-Methane engine, and electrical and inexperienced propulsion methods for spacecraft.

He has additionally guided the propulsion methods for upcoming missions such because the Venus Orbiter, Chandrayaan-4, and the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS).

He’s a Fellow of the Indian Nationwide Academy of Engineering, Aeronautical Society of India, Astronautical Society of India, and different esteemed organizations.