Meet V Narayanan, expert set to elevate India's space ambitions as new ISRO Chief from January 14

V Narayanan has been appointed as the new chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), succeeding S Somanath, as announced by the Union government on Tuesday. Alongside this significant role, Narayanan will also serve as the secretary of the Department of Space. His official tenure begins on January 14, 2025, and he is set to lead ISRO for a period of two years or until further notice, as reported by news agency ANI.

A New Era for ISRO

The appointment of V Narayanan marks a pivotal moment for ISRO, an organization that has been at the forefront of India's space exploration efforts. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet confirmed that Narayanan would take over from Somanath, who has led several successful missions during his tenure.

Background of V Narayanan

V Narayanan is a highly respected scientist with nearly four decades of experience in rocket and spacecraft propulsion. He joined ISRO in 1984 and has held various positions within the organization, culminating in his role as the director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC). His extensive expertise includes work on solid propulsion systems for sounding rockets and significant contributions to the Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) programs at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).

During his career, Narayanan has been instrumental in developing critical technologies such as ablative nozzle systems and composite motor cases. Currently, he oversees operations at LPSC, which is one of ISRO's major centers located in Valiamala, Thiruvananthapuram, with another unit in Bengaluru.

Recent Achievements of ISRO

Under the leadership of Somanath, ISRO has made headlines for its innovative advancements, including the launch of SpaDex, an indigenous space docking technology. This achievement places India among an elite group of nations—alongside the United States, Russia, and China—that possess such advanced capabilities.

The technology is crucial for upcoming missions like Chandrayaan 4 and Gaganyaan.As V Narayanan steps into his new role, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be vital for continuing ISRO's legacy of excellence in space exploration. His leadership is anticipated to further propel India's ambitions in space technology and exploration.

The appointment of V Narayanan as ISRO chairman signals a promising future for India's space endeavors. With his extensive background and proven track record, he is well-positioned to lead ISRO into its next chapter.