V Narayanan has been selected as the new Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Secretary of the Department of Space, beginning January 14, 2025. He will follow S. Somanath, who has directed ISRO since January 2022.
V Narayanan takes up the post previously held by S Somanath, who established a legacy with the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission. Narayanan must sustain the momentum and ensure that ISRO remains a leader in space exploration.
Narayanan, who is currently the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), brings nearly four decades of experience in rocket and spacecraft propulsion to his new position, having contributed significantly to the development of critical technologies such as the CE20 Cryogenic Engine for the GSLV MK-III rocket.
As Narayanan prepares to take over, he has enormous obstacles, notably with the Gaganyaan mission, India’s ambitious human spaceflight program. This mission intends to show India’s ability to send humans into space and return them safely.
The Gaganyaan project has faced challenges, including the necessity to construct an Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) internally after failing to obtain it from other nations.
The Gaganyaan mission is scheduled to fly its maiden unmanned trip in December 2025, testing vital systems before launching a crew into space. Four astronauts have already been picked for training, but the first trips will be unmanned to check system dependability.
Narayanan is optimistic about ISRO’s capabilities and talent pool, claiming that there is a clear path for India’s space objectives. His leadership will be critical in handling the hurdles of human spaceflight while also strengthening India’s standing in global space exploration. The following years will be critical for ISRO, as it hopes to accomplish major milestones like as the successful completion of the Gaganyaan mission and continuous breakthroughs in satellite technology and launch capabilities.
