V Narayanan Appointed as New ISRO Chief: Set to Succeed S Somanath on January 14

With over four decades of experience and expertise in cryogenic technology, V Narayanan aims to propel ISRO’s ambitious space missions to new heights.

January 8, 2025: New Delhi: V Narayanan, currently serving as the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) at ISRO, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Secretary of the Department of Space. He will officially take charge from the outgoing ISRO chief, S Somanath, on January 14, 2025.

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The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet announced Mr. Narayanan’s two-year tenure, emphasizing his pivotal contributions to India’s space exploration efforts, particularly in advancing cryogenic engine technology—an area where India overcame international restrictions through indigenous innovations.

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A Legacy of Excellence in Space Propulsion Mr. Narayanan, a distinguished scientist in ISRO, has played a critical role in the development of cryogenic, semi-cryogenic, and liquid propulsion systems for launch vehicles. His leadership has been instrumental in projects like Gaganyaan, India’s first human spaceflight mission, where he chaired the National Level Human Rated Certification Board.

In addition to his leadership at LPSC, he also heads the Project Management Council-Space Transportation System (PMC-STS), overseeing all launch vehicle projects. Under his direction, ISRO has achieved significant milestones in rocket and spacecraft propulsion systems.

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An Inspirational Journey Coming from humble beginnings and having studied in Tamil-medium schools, Mr. Narayanan earned his M.Tech in Cryogenic Engineering and Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from IIT Kharagpur, where he graduated with a silver medal.

A New Chapter for ISRO As Mr. Narayanan prepares to lead ISRO, he inherits a legacy marked by historic achievements, including India’s successful Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing under S Somanath’s leadership. Looking ahead, he is expected to steer upcoming missions, including Gaganyaan and ambitious interplanetary explorations.

“We have a clear roadmap for India’s space future, and I am committed to taking ISRO to even greater heights,” Mr. Narayanan said in a statement.

With his extensive experience, visionary leadership, and technical expertise, V Narayanan’s appointment signals a promising future for India’s space endeavors.

Tags: ISRO, V Narayanan, S Somanath, New ISRO Chief, Space Exploration, Indian Space Research, Gaganyaan, Cryogenic Technology, Liquid Propulsion Systems, Space Missions