Blitz Bureau
V Narayanan has been appointed as the next chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Secretary of the Department of Space, according to an official announcement. He is set to take over from the current ISRO chief, S Somnath, on January 14.
A distinguished scientist at ISRO, Narayanan currently serves as the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Valiamala, Kerala. With nearly four decades of experience in the Indian space programme, Narayanan has held several important roles within ISRO. His expertise primarily focuses on rocket and spacecraft propulsion.
According to an official order from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, Narayanan has been appointed to serve in these roles for the next two years, until further notice. He is a rocket and space craft propulsion expert and joined ISRO in 1984 and functioned in various capacities before becoming Director of LPSC.
He is also the Chairman of the Project Management CouncilSpace Transportation System (PMC-STS), the decision-making body in all launch vehicle projects and programmes, and the Chairman of the National Level Human Rated Certification Board (HRCB) for Gaganyaan, India’s planned human spaceflight mission.
