V Narayanan Appointed as New ISRO Chairman, To Assume Office on January 14

The Central Government has appointed V Narayanan as the new Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Secretary of the Department of Space. Narayanan will officially take charge on January 14, succeeding the current ISRO Chairman, S Somanath.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) issued an official order confirming his appointment for a tenure of two years or until further orders. The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions stated, “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 January 14, 2025, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.”

Currently serving as the Director of ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Valiamala, Kerala, V Narayanan is a distinguished scientist with nearly 40 years of experience in rocket and spacecraft propulsion.

Narayanan joined ISRO in 1984 and has held various significant positions throughout his career. In his early years, he worked in the solid propulsion domain for Sounding Rockets, the Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV), and the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).

His contributions include process planning and the realization of critical propulsion systems such as ablative nozzle systems, composite motor cases, and composite igniter cases. Under his leadership, LPSC has advanced in liquid propulsion technology, a crucial area for ISRO’s space exploration missions.

Narayanan’s vast expertise in rocket propulsion is expected to propel ISRO’s ambitious programs further as he steps into this pivotal role.