Dr. V Narayanan has officially assumed the role of Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as of January 13, 2025, succeeding S. Somanath. This transition marks a significant moment in India's space exploration efforts, as Narayanan brings over four decades of experience within ISRO, where he has made substantial contributions to propulsion technology and mission success.

Background And Career

Narayanan's journey in ISRO began in 1984, and he has held various pivotal positions, most recently serving as the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC). Under his leadership, LPSC advanced India's capabilities in liquid, semi-cryogenic, and cryogenic propulsion systems, which are critical for launch vehicles and spacecraft. Notably, he played a crucial role in the development of cryogenic engines used in significant missions such as Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3.

Born into a humble farming family in Tamil Nadu, Narayanan's academic credentials include an MTech in Cryogenic Engineering and a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from IIT-Kharagpur. His educational achievements have been recognized with several awards, including the Distinguished Alumni Award from IIT-Kharagpur.

Contributions To Space Missions

Dr. Narayanan's leadership has been instrumental in several key projects:

Gaganyaan Program: He chaired the National Level Human Rated Certification Board for this ambitious human spaceflight mission, overseeing critical developments in life support and propulsion systems.

Chandrayaan Missions: He contributed significantly to India's lunar exploration efforts, specifically in developing propulsion systems that facilitated successful missions to the Moon.

Next-Generation Propulsion Systems: Under his guidance, ISRO is advancing technologies such as semi-cryogenic rocket systems and electric propulsion systems for future missions, including those targeting Venus and Mars.

Vision For ISRO

In his new role, Narayanan expressed a commitment to elevate ISRO's capabilities and ambitions. He aims to increase the number of operational satellites from 54 to 100 within three to four years and expand India's share in the global space market from 2% to 10%. His leadership is expected to focus on upcoming missions, including the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program and various interplanetary explorations.

His focus will likely include fostering international collaborations and addressing environmental considerations within space technology development. His extensive background in cryogenic engineering positions him uniquely to lead ISRO's initiatives that intersect technology with environmental sustainability and global cooperation.

In conclusion, Dr. V. Narayanan's appointment as Chairman of ISRO is seen as a pivotal step towards enhancing India's position in global space endeavours. His extensive experience and innovative vision are anticipated to steer ISRO into a new era of achievements in space exploration and technology development.

Agencies