New Delhi:
Rocket scientist V Narayanan will take over from current Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) chief S Somanath on January 14. His appointment was announced by the Cabinet Appointments Committee.
Here are some key points about his academic and ISRO journey:
- Mr. Narayanan completed his M Tech in Cryogenic Engineering and PhD in Aerospace Engineering from IIT, Kharagpur, where he received a silver medal for securing the first rank in the M Tech programme.
- The rocket and spacecraft propulsion expert joined ISRO in 1984 and rose through the ranks.
- He had previously worked in the Solid Propulsion area of Sounding Rockets and Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) at Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC).
- Mr. Narayanan played a key role in the development of the cryogenic engine in India, a technology that was denied to the country.
- He has also contributed to the process planning, process control and realization of ablative nozzle systems, composite engine housings and composite igniter housings.
- One of his recent successes was when he headed the Failure Analysis Committee for Chandrayaan 2, the mission that saw the Vikram Lander crash. After finding a solution, Chandrayaan 3 became a glorious success as India landed Vikram safely at Shiv Shakti Point.
- Mr. Narayanan has been heading the Liquid Propulsion Systems Center (LPSC) at Valiamala in Kerala since 2018. The center is engaged in the development of liquid, semi-cryogenic and cryogenic propulsion stages for launch vehicles, chemical and electrical propulsion systems for satellites, control systems for launch vehicles and the development of transducers for health monitoring of space systems.
- Mr. Narayanan is now a distinguished scientist (APEX scale) and a senior director at ISRO.
- He is also the chairman of the Project Management Council-Space Transportation System (PMC-STS), the decision-making body in all launch vehicle projects and programs.
- He is the Chairman of the National Level Human Rated Certification Board (HRCB) for Gaganyaan, India's planned human spaceflight mission.
- During his two-year tenure as ISRO chief, he will also chair the Space Committee.
- Speak with NDTV from Thiruvananthapuram, the newly appointed ISRO chief said, “We have a clear roadmap for India and I hope to take ISRO to greater heights as we have great talent.”
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