V Narayanan Appointed Secretary of Department of Space
New Delhi: Rocket scientist V Narayanan has been appointed as the new Secretary of the Department of Space, effective from January 14, 2025, succeeding S Somanath, who will complete his tenure next week. The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, and Narayanan will also assume the role of Chairman of the Space Commission.
Narayanan, currently serving as the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Valiamala, brings over four decades of experience in the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He is well-known for his expertise in rocket and spacecraft propulsion and has held various key positions within ISRO.
He has played a pivotal role in the development of the C25 Cryogenic Project for the GSLV Mk III vehicle, a critical milestone for ISRO. Under his leadership, the successful development of the C25 stage, a key component of the GSLV Mk III, was achieved. Narayanan’s journey with ISRO began in 1984, and since then, he has contributed significantly to numerous projects related to satellite and rocket propulsion.
Before his current role, Narayanan worked in the areas of Solid Propulsion and Cryogenic Propulsion, starting at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and then advancing to the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC). He completed his M.Tech in Cryogenic Engineering at IIT-Kharagpur in 1989, securing the First Rank.
The Department of Space, which also oversees the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), plays a crucial role in advancing India’s space capabilities. With Narayanan’s appointment, the department is poised to continue its progress in space exploration, technology development, and research.
