V Narayanan appointed as ISRO Chairman and Space Secretary

The Union government has announced the appointment of V Narayanan as the new chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the secretary of the Department of Space. Narayanan will succeed S Somanath, the current ISRO chief, starting January 14, 2025, as per an official order from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.  

Narayanan will serve in these roles for the next two years or until further notice. The official statement read: "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."  

Who is V Narayanan?  
V Narayanan is a distinguished scientist with an illustrious career spanning nearly four decades in the fields of rocket and spacecraft propulsion. Currently, he serves as the director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), a crucial ISRO facility headquartered in Valiamala, Thiruvananthapuram, with a unit in Bengaluru.  

Narayanan joined ISRO in 1984 and has held numerous key positions, contributing significantly to India’s space program. During the early stages of his career, he worked in the Solid Propulsion sector of Sounding Rockets, Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV), and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). In addition, he played a pivotal role in process planning, control, and the realization of critical systems, including ablative nozzle systems, composite motor cases, and composite igniter cases.  

As the head of LPSC, Narayanan oversaw advancements in liquid propulsion technologies, which are critical for ISRO’s satellite launch vehicles and spacecraft. Under his leadership, LPSC has developed cutting-edge propulsion systems, contributing to the success of missions such as Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan.