Jobaaj Stories
The Central Government has named Dr. V Narayanan, a senior scientist, as the new chairperson of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and secretary of the Department of Space. Dr. Narayanan, who is currently the director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Thiruvananthapuram, will take charge on January 14, 2025.
Successor to Dr. S Somanath
Dr. Narayanan will replace Dr. S Somanath as the head of ISRO. His appointment was announced by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
A Long Career in Space Science
Dr. Narayanan began his journey at ISRO in 1984. Over the years, he has contributed significantly to developing technologies for India's key launch vehicles like the PSLV and the LVM3. These rockets have been vital for India’s space missions.
Work on Cryogenic Engines
Dr. Narayanan is one of the pioneers of cryogenic engine technology in India. Cryogenic engines are crucial for heavy-lift rockets like the LVM3, which can carry heavy payloads to space.
- He initially studied cryogenic engineering at IIT-Kharagpur.
- When international political issues prevented India from acquiring this technology from Russia, Dr. Narayanan and his team developed it locally.
India became the sixth country in the world to build this advanced engine technology.
Major Contributions
Dr. Narayanan played a key role in many important projects:
- Chandrayaan Missions: His work on propulsion systems contributed to the success of Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3. He also led the investigation into the Chandrayaan-2 hard landing, ensuring improvements for future missions.
- Gaganyaan Mission: He has been instrumental in developing propulsion systems for India’s first human spaceflight program, set to use a modified LVM3 rocket.
Future Goals
As ISRO chief, Dr. Narayanan will lead India’s ambitious plans, including:
- The Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV): A powerful rocket being developed to support missions like sending astronauts to the Moon and setting up a space station.
- Strengthening India’s space exploration capabilities.
Dr. V Narayanan’s appointment marks a new chapter for ISRO as India continues to aim for greater heights in space exploration.
