, an esteemed alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), succeeding S. Somanath.
Educational Background:
- M.Tech. in Cryogenic Engineering: Narayanan completed his Master of Technology at IIT Kharagpur, earning a Silver Medal for securing the first rank in his program.
- Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering: He further pursued a doctorate at the same institution, enhancing his expertise in aerospace technologies.
Professional Journey:
- Joining ISRO (1984): Narayanan began his career at ISRO in 1984, initially contributing to the Solid Propulsion area for Sounding Rockets, Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicles (ASLV), and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV) at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).
- Cryogenic Propulsion Development: After completing his M.Tech., he transitioned to the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), playing a pivotal role in developing India’s indigenous cryogenic propulsion technology—a critical component for launching heavier payloads into space.
- Leadership at LPSC (2018-2025): As Director of LPSC, Narayanan oversaw the development of liquid, semi-cryogenic, and cryogenic propulsion stages for launch vehicles, as well as chemical and electric propulsion systems for satellites.
Notable Contributions:
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- Chandrayaan-2 Analysis Committee: Narayanan led the committee that analyzed the Chandrayaan-2 mission, providing insights that contributed to the success of subsequent missions.
- GSLV Mk-III Development: As Project Director of the C25 Cryogenic Project, he provided leadership in designing and developing the C25 Cryogenic Propulsion System for the GSLV Mk-III Launch Vehicle.
Future Endeavors:
Under Narayanan’s leadership, ISRO aims to achieve significant milestones, including:
- Space Station by 2035: Developing an indigenous space station to enhance India’s presence in low Earth orbit.
- Manned Moon Mission by 2040: Planning to send Indian astronauts to the lunar surface, marking a significant achievement in the nation’s space exploration efforts.
- Expanding Commercial Space Market Share: Aiming to increase India’s share in the global commercial space market from $8 billion to $44 billion over the next decade.
Narayanan’s extensive experience and visionary leadership are expected to propel ISRO into a new era of space exploration and technological advancement.
