Discover the Journey of IIT Alumnus V Narayanan, New Leader of ISRO
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New York, Jan 8 (NationPress) V Narayanan, who has been designated as the new chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation and Secretary of the Department of Space by the Union government, is a proud IIT alumnus and an expert in cryogenic engine technology.
Narayanan is anticipated to assume his role from S Somanath, the current head of the organization, on January 14.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet announced on Tuesday that Narayanan, presently the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Valiamala, will lead ISRO for a term of two years.
In addition to being the Chairman of the Space Commission, Narayanan has significantly contributed to India's advancements in cryogenic engine technology, which was vital for the successful launches of the Chandrayaan 2 and Chandrayaan 3 missions.
He expressed his optimism about India's potential talent, stating he “hopes to elevate ISRO to new heights”.
Who is V Narayanan?
Narayanan was born in Melakattu village in Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu. He completed his early education in his hometown before obtaining a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (DME) and an Associate Membership in Mechanical Engineering from the Institution of Engineers (AMIE). He then attended the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur to pursue a Master of Technology (M.Tech) in Cryogenic Engineering.
He also holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from IIT Kharagpur.
The propulsion specialist joined ISRO in 1984 and has progressively advanced to become the Director of the LPSC in 2018.
Previously, he has worked in the Solid Propulsion sector of Sounding Rockets and the Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).
Narayanan has also served as the Project Director for the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III) C25 Cryogenic Project.
He led the team responsible for developing the C25 Cryogenic Stage, which employs liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen to generate a thrust of 20 tonnes. This stage was successfully utilized in the inaugural launch of the GSLV Mk III.
His vital contributions to Indian space endeavors include the design of propulsion systems for the Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3 missions, which incorporate the L110 Liquid Stage and C25 Cryogenic Stage for the LVM3 propulsion systems, essential for transporting spacecraft from Earth to Moon's orbit.
This esteemed scientist is also engaged in the forthcoming Gaganyaan programme, India's human spaceflight initiative, working on human-rating the LVM3 vehicle and the human-rated L110 and C32 Cryogenic Stages.
Additionally, he has contributed to the Environmental Control and Safety Systems and propulsion systems for both the Service and Crew modules, overseeing the successful demonstration of the crew escape system.
Narayanan’s appointment arrives as the Indian space sector gears up for significant projects, including the Gaganyaan human spaceflight, the Chandrayaan-4 mission, and the establishment of the nation's own space station.
