• V. Narayanan, Distinguished Scientist (Apex Grade), assumed the charge of chief of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Secretary, Department of Space, and Chairman, Space Commission succeeding S. Somanath.

• Somanath had assumed charge as the Secretary, Department of Space, on January 14, 2022 for a three-year term.

• Prior to this, Narayanan served as the Director of ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), a key facility responsible for the development of propulsion systems for launch vehicles and spacecraft. 

• He also played a pivotal role as the chairman of the National Level Human Rated Certification Board (HRCB) for the Gaganyaan programme, India’s ambitious human spaceflight mission. 

Who is V. Narayanan?

• Narayanan hails from a humble background in Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari.

• He is an alumnus of IIT Kharagpur, where he completed his M.Tech in Cryogenic Engineering and PhD in Aerospace Engineering. Awarded the Silver Medal for securing the first rank in his M.Tech programme, he has also received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2018 and the Life Fellowship Award in 2023 from IIT Kharagpur. 

• Before joining ISRO, Narayanan worked for a brief period at TI Diamond Chain Ltd., Madras Rubber Factory, and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) at Trichy and Ranipet.

• Narayanan joined ISRO in 1984 and has contributed significantly to India’s space missions over the decades. 

• He became the Director of LPSC in January 2018, cementing his reputation as a leader in rocket and spacecraft propulsion technologies. 

• Over his 40-year tenure at ISRO, including seven years as Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), he has made groundbreaking contributions to India’s space programme.

• As Director, he provided techno-managerial leadership to LPSC, which is engaged in the development of liquid, semi-cryogenic and cryogenic propulsion stages for launch vehicles, chemical and electric propulsion systems for satellites, control systems for launch vehicles and transducer development for propulsion system health monitoring.

• When India was denied the cryogenic technology for GSLV Mk-ll vehicle, he designed the engine systems, developed necessary software tools, contributed for establishing the necessary infrastructure and test facilities, testing and qualification and completing the development of Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) and making it operational. 

• As project director of the C25 cryogenic project for the LVM3 vehicle, he led the development of the C25 cryogenic stage powered by a 20-tonne thrust engine, which was crucial for the successful maiden launch of LVM3. 

• His M.Tech thesis and PhD work were instrumental in the development of these systems, making India one of only six countries with indigenous cryogenic technology. 

• Narayanan played a vital role in India’s lunar missions. For Chandrayaan-2 and 3, he led the development of the L110 Liquid Stage, the C25 Cryogenic Stage, and propulsion systems that enabled the spacecraft to reach the Moon’s orbit and achieve a soft landing.

• For the PSLV C57/Aditya L1 mission, he oversaw the realisation of the second and fourth stages, control power plants, and the propulsion system that helped position the spacecraft in a halo orbit at L1, making India the fourth country to successfully study the Sun. 

• Narayanan has been instrumental in the Gaganyaan programme, contributing to the human-rating of the LVM3 vehicle and the development of various systems, including cryogenic stages, life support systems, and propulsion systems for the crew and service modules. 

• He also chaired the Gaganyaan Certification Board, overseeing the certification process for multiple systems. Under his leadership, ISRO has advanced the development of next-generation propulsion systems, including a 200-tonne thrust LOX-Kerosene semi-cryogenic rocket system, a 110-tonne thrust LOX-Methane engine, and electric and green propulsion systems for spacecraft.

• He has also guided the propulsion systems for upcoming missions such as the Venus Orbiter, Chandrayaan-4, and the Bharatiya Antariksh Station  (BAS). 

• He is a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering, Aeronautical Society of India, Astronautical Society of India, and other esteemed organisations.

Genesis of ISRO

• Space research activities were initiated in our country during the early 1960s, when applications using satellites were in experimental stages even in the United States. With the live transmission of Tokyo Olympic Games across the Pacific by the American Satellite ‘Syncom-3’ demonstrating the power of communication satellites, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the founding father of Indian space programme, quickly recognised the benefits of space technologies for India.

• To spearhead the space research activities, Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) was set up in 1962 under the department of atomic energy. 

• Work on Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) near Thiruvananthapuram was also started during the same year. 

• In August 1969, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was established. 

• In June 1972, the Space Commission and the Department of Space (DOS) were constituted by the government and brought ISRO under DOS in September 1972.

• The Space Commission formulates the policies and oversees the implementation of the Indian space programme to promote the development and application of space science and technology for the socio-economic benefit of the country.

• The Aryabhata spacecraft, named after the famous Indian astronomer, was India’s first satellite. It was completely designed and fabricated in India and launched by a Soviet Kosmos-3M rocket from Kapustin Yar on April 19, 1975.

• Over the years, ISRO has upheld its mission of bringing space to the service of the common man and to the service of the nation. 

• In the process, it has become one of the largest space agencies in the world.

• ISRO maintains one of the largest fleet of communication satellites (INSAT) and remote sensing (IRS) satellites, that cater to the ever growing demand for fast and reliable communication and earth observation respectively. 

• ISRO develops and delivers application specific satellite products and tools for  broadcasts, communications, weather forecasts, disaster management tools, Geographic Information Systems, cartography, navigation, telemedicine, etc.

• To achieve complete self-reliance in terms of these applications, it was essential to develop cost efficient and reliable launch systems, which took shape in the form of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The famed PSLV went on to become a favoured carrier for satellites of various countries due to its reliability and cost efficiency, promoting unprecedented international collaboration. The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) was developed keeping in mind the heavier and more demanding Geosynchronous communication satellites.

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