V. Narayanan to Lead ISRO, Calls New Role ‘A Great Responsibility’
V. Narayanan, a renowned expert in rocket propulsion, will take on the esteemed position of ISRO Chairman and Secretary of the Department of Space starting January 14, 2025. He succeeds S. Somanath at a critical time for India’s space program. Narayanan described his new role as both a “great responsibility” and a “great opportunity” to continue the legacy of ISRO’s iconic leaders. The Union Cabinet’s Appointments Committee has appointed Dr. Narayanan to a two-year term, during which he will oversee several ambitious missions, including the Gaganyaan human spaceflight, Chandrayaan-4, and initiatives toward establishing India’s own space station.
Currently, the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) since 2018, Dr. Narayanan has played a vital role in advancing India’s cryogenic propulsion systems. He brings over four decades of experience, having contributed to key missions such as Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, and Aditya-L1. Under his leadership, LPSC has led pioneering work in cryogenic and semi-cryogenic propulsion, positioning India among the few nations with self-sufficient capabilities in this area.
Reflecting on ISRO’s busy 2025 schedule, Dr. Narayanan highlighted upcoming projects, including the GSLV Mk-II/IRNSS-1K mission, Gaganyaan’s uncrewed G-1 flight, and a commercial launch using the LVM3 vehicle. “We have our hands full with these high-profile projects,” he stated.
Dr. Narayanan also emphasized the importance of reforming the space sector to enhance private sector participation. “ISRO alone cannot meet the growing demand for communication, navigation, and earth observation satellites. The reforms and startup ecosystem are crucial,” he pointed out. His goal is to increase India’s share of the global space economy from 2% to 10%, underlining the need to focus on space commercialization.
Born into a humble farming family in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, Dr. Narayanan’s inspiring journey from a Tamil-medium school student to ISRO Chairman reflects his dedication and intellect. An alumnus of IIT-Kharagpur, he earned an M.Tech. in cryogenic engineering and later a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering.
As ISRO looks to the future, Dr. Narayanan’s tenure promises a focus on technological advancements and strategic global collaborations. “Strength respects strength,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect among spacefaring nations.
Married to Kavitharaj N.K., Dr. Narayanan is a father of two children, Divyaa and Kalesh. He credits his upbringing and family support as crucial to his success. With India’s space ambitions soaring, Dr. Narayanan’s leadership heralds an exciting era for ISRO and the nation.
