Renowned rocket and spacecraft propulsion expert V. Narayanan is set to take over as the next Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), succeeding S. Somanath. His appointment comes at a pivotal time for India's space sector, which is undergoing significant reforms, with numerous ambitious projects on the horizon, including the Gaganyaan human spaceflight, Chandrayaan-4, and the development of India’s own space station.

Currently serving as the Director of ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) since January 2018, Dr. Narayanan described his new role as both a “great responsibility” and a “great opportunity” to build on the legacy of ISRO’s past leaders.

A Packed Schedule for ISRO in 2025

ISRO has a busy calendar ahead, and Dr. Narayanan is aware that he has little time to settle into his new position. Upcoming missions include the GSLV Mk-II/IRNSS-1K mission towards the end of January, the first uncrewed flight of the Gaganyaan programme (G-1 mission), and a commercial launch using the LVM3 launch vehicle. Additionally, several experiments related to Gaganyaan are lined up for the year.

High-profile projects in ISRO’s long-term pipeline include the Chandrayaan-4 lunar mission, the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (India’s space station), a second mission to Mars, and the maiden Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM). While some of these might extend beyond Dr. Narayanan's tenure, the groundwork for these missions is already underway.

Appointment and Background

As per the Union Cabinet’s Appointments Committee decision, Dr. Narayanan will assume the roles of Secretary, Department of Space, and Chairman, Space Commission, for a two-year term starting January 14, 2025.

Dr. Narayanan hails from a humble farming family in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu. After joining ISRO in 1984, he specialized in rocket propulsion, an area critical to the agency’s successes. Over his career, he has significantly contributed to key missions such as Chandrayaan-1, Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, Mangalyaan, and the Aditya-L1 solar mission, as well as the development of cryogenic technology. His expertise in propulsion systems, including cryogenic, semi-cryogenic, and electric propulsion technologies, has positioned India among the select few nations mastering these complex technologies.

Driving India’s Space Ambitions

Expanding India’s presence in space is at the top of Dr. Narayanan’s priorities. He emphasized the importance of the ongoing space sector reforms, particularly the integration of private players and startups to meet the growing demand for satellites for communication, navigation, and earth observation. “Today, we have about 53 satellites in orbit, but we need many more. The ISRO alone cannot meet this demand. These reforms will bridge the gap,” he said.

Dr. Narayanan also highlighted India's aspiration to increase its share of the global space economy from 2% to 10%, underscoring the need to focus on the economic potential of space exploration. He further stressed the importance of international collaboration, noting that India’s capabilities as a spacefaring nation have earned global respect.

Personal and Professional Journey

Dr. Narayanan was born to C. Vanniyaperumal, a farmer, and S. Thangammal, a homemaker, in Melakattuvilai, Kanyakumari. He studied in a Tamil medium school and was the Class X topper in his school. His home received an electricity connection only when he was in Class IX.

An alumnus of IIT-Kharagpur, he earned an M.Tech in cryogenic engineering with first rank in 1989 and a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering in 2001. His career at ISRO began with solid propulsion work at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) before he moved to LPSC in 1989 to focus on cryogenic propulsion systems. His contributions in this field have made India self-reliant in cryogenic technology.

Dr. Narayanan is married to Kavitharaj N.K., and the couple has a daughter, Divya. As he steps into his new role, Dr. Narayanan’s leadership is expected to steer ISRO towards achieving its ambitious goals, further solidifying India’s position in the global space community.