V Narayanan Appointed as New ISRO Chief, Succeeding S Somanath

V Narayanan will succeed S Somanath as the new ISRO chairman from January 14, 2025. A propulsion expert with 40 years of experience, Narayanan’s appointment comes as ISRO gears up for missions like Gaganyaan and Chandrayaan 4.

V Narayanan has been appointed as the next chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), succeeding S Somanath, the Union government announced on Tuesday. Narayanan will also serve as the secretary of the Department of Space, with his term beginning on January 14, 2025.

The appointment, confirmed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, will see Narayanan lead ISRO for the next two years or until further notice. Currently serving as the director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), Narayanan has been instrumental in advancing India’s rocket and spacecraft propulsion technologies.

A veteran of ISRO with nearly four decades of experience, Narayanan began his career in 1984. Over the years, he has contributed to major projects, including the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV). His expertise lies in propulsion systems, having overseen the development of composite motor cases, nozzle systems, and igniter components.

Narayanan’s leadership comes at a crucial time for ISRO as the agency prepares for ambitious missions like Gaganyaan and Chandrayaan 4. His work on SpaDex, India’s indigenous space docking technology, has placed the country alongside global leaders like the US, Russia, and China.

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Narayanan’s appointment signals continuity and innovation in ISRO’s leadership, reinforcing India's growing prominence in space exploration.