isro chairman v narayanan
A New Era for ISRO
V. Narayanan, a distinguished rocket propulsion expert, is set to take over as the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), succeeding S. Somanath. His appointment comes at a crucial time when India’s space sector is undergoing significant reforms and has an ambitious roadmap ahead, including the much-anticipated Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, the Chandrayaan-4 moon mission, and the development of the country’s first space station.
Speaking to The Hindu on Wednesday (January 8, 2025), Dr. Narayanan described his new role as both “a great responsibility” and “a great opportunity” to continue the legacy of ISRO’s pioneering leaders. He is currently the Director of ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), a post he has held since January 2018.
A Packed Calendar for ISRO in 2025
With several high-profile missions lined up, Dr. Narayanan acknowledges that he has no time to rest. “Towards January-end, we have the GSLV Mk-II/IRNSS-1K mission. We also have the first uncrewed flight of the Gaganyaan programme, G-1, and a commercial launch using the LVM3 launch vehicle,” he said.
Beyond these, ISRO’s ambitious agenda for the coming years includes:
- Chandrayaan-4 – A follow-up to the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission.
- Bharatiya Antariksha Station – India’s first indigenous space station.
- Second Mars Mission – Building on the success of Mangalyaan.
- Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) – India’s maiden mission to Venus.
Although not all these projects may materialize during his two-year tenure, preparations have already begun, making his leadership crucial in steering India’s space ambitions forward.
A Humble Beginning to a Stellar Career
Dr. Narayanan was born into a humble farming family in Melakattuvilai, Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu. His parents, C. Vanniyaperumal, a farmer, and S. Thangammal, a homemaker, instilled in him the values of hard work and perseverance.
He studied in a Tamil-medium school near his village, and his home received an electricity connection only when he was in Class IX. Despite these challenges, Narayanan excelled academically, topping his Class X board exams.
His pursuit of higher education led him to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, where he earned an M.Tech. in Cryogenic Engineering (1989, First Rank). He later obtained a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering in 2001, solidifying his expertise in propulsion technology.
A Rocket Propulsion Expert with Four Decades of Experience
Dr. Narayanan joined ISRO on February 1, 1984, initially working on solid propulsion systems at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). In 1989, he transitioned to cryogenic propulsion at LPSC, where he played a pivotal role in making India one of only six nations globally to develop high-performance cryogenic propulsion systems, making the country self-reliant in this critical area.
His expertise has been instrumental in multiple ISRO missions, including:
- Chandrayaan-1, 2, and 3 – India’s moon exploration missions.
- Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission) – India’s first interplanetary mission.
- Aditya-L1 – India’s first solar observation mission.
- Gaganyaan – India’s first human spaceflight program.
Additionally, his leadership at LPSC has advanced semi-cryogenic and electric propulsion technologies, crucial for future deep-space exploration.
Vision for India’s Space Sector
Dr. Narayanan is committed to expanding India’s presence in space, emphasizing that ISRO alone cannot meet the growing demand for communication, navigation, and earth observation satellites. He strongly supports ongoing space sector reforms, which have opened doors for private players and startups.
“If you look at societal and strategic applications, we have about 53 satellites in orbit today. We need many more. The private sector and startup ecosystem will play a key role in this expansion,” he noted.
Moreover, India aims to increase its share in the global space economy from 2% to 10%, a priority that Dr. Narayanan is keen to drive forward. “So far, we have not focused much on the space economy. It’s time we claim our due share,” he emphasized.
Strength in International Collaboration
On international cooperation, Dr. Narayanan reaffirmed ISRO’s commitment to working with other space agencies. “During our early development phase, we received support. Today, spacefaring nations recognize our strength. Strength respects strength,” he said, underlining India’s rising stature in the global space community.
Personal Life and Family
Dr. Narayanan is married to Kavitharaj N.K., and they have two children: a daughter, Divyaa, and a son, Kalesh.
Looking Ahead
As he prepares to assume office on January 14, 2025, for a two-year tenure, Dr. Narayanan’s leadership will be crucial in propelling ISRO into its next phase of growth. With major missions on the horizon and a rapidly evolving space sector, his expertise and vision are expected to strengthen India’s position as a global space power.
📌 Stay tuned for more updates on India’s space missions and the latest developments at ISRO!
