Rocket scientist V Narayanan has been appointed as the new head of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He will take the charge on January 14 after the current head S Somanath vacate the position. The appointment was announced by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. He will be appointed for a two year term and will also be the chairman of the Space Comission.
Born in Melakattu village near Nagercoi in Kanyakumari District, had an stellar academic record. V Narayanan is an alumni of IIT Kharagpur with degrees in MTech in Cryogenic Engineering and PhD in Aerospace Engineering. He graduated MTech with top rank and earned a silver medal. Later he compelted his PhD in 2001.
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He is the expert of rocket and spacecraft propulsion and joined ISRO in 1984 and played a key role in India’s development of the cryogenic engine, a technology that was denied to the country.
The ISRO new head worked on Solid Propulsion area of Sounding Rockets and Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).
Since 2018, he has headed the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Kerala’s Valimala. The centre is engaged in the development of liquid semi cryogenic and cryogenic propulsion stages for launch vehicles, chemical and electric propulsion systems for satellites, control systems for launch vehicles, and transducers development for space systems health monitoring.
He also headed the Failure Analysis Committee for Chandrayaan 2, the mission with failed Vikran Lander. Later, the Chandrayan 3 became a glorious success when India Vikram safely landed at Shiv Shakti Point.
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Considering his vast experience he was also appointed as the Chairman of the National Level Human Rated Certification Board (HRCB) for Gaganyaan, India’s human spacecraft mission.
Notably, he is also the chairman of the Project Management Council-Space Transportation System (PMC-STS), the decision making body in all launch vehicel projects and programmes.
