V Narayanan Appointed New ISRO Chairman and Secretary of Department of Space
The Indian government has appointed V Narayanan as the new Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Secretary of the Department of Space. He will take office on January 14, 2025, succeeding the current ISRO Chairman, S Somanath.
This announcement was made through an official order issued by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. Narayanan will serve in these prestigious roles for a term of two years or until further notice, as stated in the official notification.
Currently, Narayanan serves as the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Valiamala, Kerala. With nearly four decades of experience in rocket and spacecraft propulsion, he is regarded as a distinguished scientist and expert in the field.
The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions released an official statement confirming the appointment, which reads:
“The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri V. Narayanan, Director, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, Valiamala as Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, Space Commission for a period of two years with effect from 14.01.2025, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.”
Narayanan’s journey with ISRO began in 1984, where he contributed significantly to the development of Solid Propulsion systems for Sounding Rockets, the Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV), and the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). Over the years, he has played a pivotal role in the development and realization of critical components like ablative nozzle systems, composite motor cases, and composite igniter cases.
As the Director of LPSC, Narayanan has led advancements in liquid propulsion technology, which plays a crucial role in ISRO’s rocket and spacecraft programs.
With his extensive expertise and leadership, Narayanan is set to guide ISRO through an era of ambitious missions and technological innovations, furthering India’s presence in the global space community.
