Who is V Narayanan? Scientist who took over as new ISRO chief, succeeding S Somanath – All you need to know about him

V Narayanan has officially taken over as the new Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), succeeding S Somanath. The announcement was made in a statement by ISRO on January 13, 2025, which confirmed that Narayanan has also assumed the roles of Secretary, Department of Space, and Chairman of the Space Commission.

A Distinguished Career at ISRO

Narayanan, a distinguished scientist and expert in propulsion systems, brings over four decades of experience to the position. He previously served as the Director of ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), where he played a crucial role in the development of propulsion technologies for launch vehicles and spacecraft. He also chaired the National Level Human Rated Certification Board (HRCB) for the ambitious Gaganyaan mission, India’s human spaceflight program.

Having joined ISRO in 1984, Narayanan has contributed significantly to many of India’s key space missions. His leadership in rocket and spacecraft propulsion technologies is widely recognized, and he has been instrumental in advancing India’s space capabilities. Under his tenure as Director of LPSC, he led the development of critical systems for India’s space missions, including the cryogenic upper stages used in the GSLV and LVM3 vehicles.

Key Achievements and Contributions

Narayanan holds an M.Tech in Cryogenic Engineering and a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from IIT Kharagpur, where he was awarded the Silver Medal for securing the first rank in his M.Tech program. He has also received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2018 and the Life Fellowship Award in 2023 from IIT Kharagpur.

Throughout his career, Narayanan has been at the forefront of India’s efforts in cryogenic propulsion, lunar exploration, and human spaceflight. He played a vital role in the development of India’s indigenous cryogenic technology, making India one of only six countries with the capability to develop and deploy such systems. His work on the C25 cryogenic stage for the LVM3 vehicle was essential to the success of several high-profile missions, including the Chandrayaan-2 and 3 missions, and the PSLV C57/Aditya L1 mission.

Looking to the Future

In his new role, Narayanan will oversee the next generation of ISRO missions, including the upcoming Venus Orbiter, Chandrayaan-4, and the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS). He is also guiding the development of advanced propulsion systems, such as the 200-tonne thrust LOX-Kerosene semi-cryogenic rocket system and a 110-tonne thrust LOX-Methane engine, which will support India’s future space exploration efforts.

A fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering and other prestigious bodies, Narayanan’s appointment marks the continuation of ISRO’s leadership in space exploration and technology development under his guidance.

(With PTI Inputs)