Dr. V Narayanan, an Alumnus of IIT Kharagpur, is appointed as the new Chairperson of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He is currently serving as the Director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), Thiruvananthapuram. The government has also appointed him as the Secretary of the Department of Space. According to an order from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, Dr. Narayanan will succeed Dr. S Somanath, the current ISRO Chief, on January 14, 2024.
Dr. V Narayanan receiving the Life fellow Award from Hon’ble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu
Dr. V Narayanan, a Distinguished Scientist and the Director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), completed his M.Tech in Cryogenic Engineering with First Rank at IIT Kharagpur. Later, he did his PhD in Aerospace Engineering from IIT Kharagpur in 2001. Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) is one of the major Centres of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) having its headquarters at Valiamala in Thiruvananthapuram and a Unit at Bangalore. As the Director of LPSC, he is providing techno-managerial leadership of 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.
Dr. V Narayanan met with the Director, IIT Kharagpur and other faculty members of the Institute
Congratulating Dr. V Narayanan on this significant achievement, Prof. Amit Patra, Director, IIT Kharagpur remarked, “On behalf of the entire IIT Kharagpur community, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Narayanan on his appointment as the Chairman of ISRO. Dr Narayanan did his M.Tech in Cryogenic Engineering in 1989 and later completed his PhD in Aerospace Engineering in 2001 from IIT Kharagpur. He is a recipient of Silver Medal for First Rank in M.Tech. As an Alumnus of IIT Kharagpur, the institute takes pride in all his achievements and has bestowed him with Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2018 and Life Fellow Award in 2023. This remarkable achievement is a testament to his dedication, visionary leadership, and outstanding contributions to the field of space science and technology. His exemplary leadership and unwavering dedication to the advancement of space technology inspires us all. As he takes charge of one of India’s most prestigious organizations, we are incredibly proud to see him chart new frontiers in space exploration. His success is a befitting example of the exceptional talent nurtured at IIT Kharagpur. Wishing him all the success as he prepares to lead ISRO to greater heights.”
Dr. V Narayanan, who is a Rocket & Space Craft Propulsion Expert, has joined ISRO in 1984 and functioned in various capacities before becoming Director of the Centre. During the initial phase, for 4 & 1/2 years, he worked in the Solid Propulsion area of Sounding Rockets and Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). He contributed in the process planning, process control and realization of Ablative nozzle systems, Composite motor cases and Composite Igniter cases.
He completed his schooling and DME with First Rank and AMIE in Mechanical Engineering. In 1989, he completed his M.Tech in Cryogenic Engineering with First Rank at IIT Kharagpur and joined the Cryogenic Propulsion area in Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC). ISRO’s Geosynchronous launch vehicles namely GSLV Mk-II & GSLV Mk-III capable of placing 2-Tonne & 4-Tonne class Communication Satellites in Geo Transfer Orbit have Cryogenic Propulsion Stages as terminal stages.
Dr. V Narayanan met with the Director, IIT Kharagpur and other faculty members of the Institute
This prestigious achievement is a true testament to his leadership, dedication and significant contributions to space technology. As his alma mater, IIT Kharagpur is really proud to give the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2018 for his remarkable impact in his own domain of research. As he takes on the immense responsibility of leading ISRO as its Chairman, we are confident that his expertise and visionary approach will continue to propel ISRO to newer heights. His appointment as ISRO Chairman comes at a time when the organization is poised for even greater achievements with critical missions such as Chandrayaan 3, Gaganyaan, the GSLV Mk-II/IRNSS-1K and others on the horizons. We at IIT Kharagpur are incredibly proud of his exceptional journey and are eagerly looking forward to seeing ISRO reach new heights under his visionary leadership,” says Prof. Rintu Banerjee, Deputy Director, IIT Kharagpur.
As one of the few Cryogenic members who worked in this area in the beginning, he carried out fundamental research, theoretical & experimental studies and contributed in the successful development and testing of Cryogenic Sub-systems namely Gas Generator, Sub-scale Cryogenic engine of 1 tonne thrust and Thrust Chamber of 12 tonne thrust.
For sustained operation of GSLV MkII, initially ISRO planned for technology acquisition of Cryo Stage for manufacturing in India. But due to geo-political reasons, the technology acquisition could not succeed and ISRO decided to develop CUS indigenously. Dr. V Narayanan has played crucial role in the successful development of Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) and contributed in making it operational for the GSLV Mk II vehicle.
For the GSLV MkIII Experimental mission with CARE module, he conceived and realized the Passive Cryogenic Stage and contributed for the successful experimental flight. As the Project Director of C25 Cryogenic Project, he provided techno-managerial leadership and conceived, designed and developed the 25 Cryogenic Propulsion System of GSLV Mk-III Launch Vehicle powered by an engine developing a thrust of 200kN. He also contributed in establishing necessary infrastructure and facilities for design, analysis, realization, testing and launching. Due to his innovative approach, the C25 Cryo Stage is developed under his guidance in the shortest time frame with all successful tests and inducted in GSLV Mk-III vehicle. Subsequently he also made the stage operational.
Dr. V Narayanan along with Dr. S Somanath visits the Cryogenic Department of IIT Kharagpur
“I am very glad to know that Dr. V. Narayanan has become the next ISRO Chairman and Secretary of Department of Space! It is an extremely proud moment for all of us at the Aerospace Engineering Department at IIT Kharagpur for Dr. V. Narayanan’s association with the department during his PhD programme under the supervision of late Prof. B. N. Sridhar. We fondly remember his latest visit to our department in August 2024 with the current ISRO Chairman Dr. Somanath. He took great interest in visiting our laboratories and interacting with our colleagues and scholars,” stated Prof. Arnab Roy, Head, Aerospace Engineering, IIT Kharagpur.
Parallely, he completed PhD in Aerospace Engineering from IIT Kharagpur in 2001. The work carried out as part of M.Tech thesis titled “Cavitating Venturies for Flow Control in Cryogenic Rocket Engines” and PhD thesis titled “Thrust and Mixture Ratio Regulation Systems for Cryogenic Rocket Engines,” were directly employed in the development of Indian Cryogenic Propulsion Systems.
Prof. Tapas Kumar Nandi from the Cryogenic Engineering Department recalled his experience with Dr. Nararyanan – “I have been closely associated with Dr. Narayanan since 1988 when he joined the M. Tech program in the Cryogenic Engineering Centre while I was doing my PhD work in the same Centre. We used to share the same laboratory when he was doing his M.Tech Project Thesis work. Afterwards, I also worked about 4.5 years in LPSC, Valiamala where presently he is the Director. My contact and relationship with Dr. Narayanan still continues even at the family level. Whenever he visits this campus, he spends sometime in my quarters. I must say that he has a strong feeling and attachment for this Institute, specially with the Cryogenic Engineering Centre and Department of Aerospace Engineering.”
Dr. V Narayanan became the proud Donar of the Gurudakshina Scheme
Towards GSLV Mk-III M1/Chandrayaan-2 Mission, L110 Liquid Core Stage, C25 Cryogenic Stage were delivered for the vehicle. Propulsion systems for Orbiter & Vikram lander which include the throttleable thrusters for soft landing were also developed and delivered for the Chandrayaan-2 Mission, under his guidance. As the Chairman of the National Expert Committee constituted to study the reasons for hardlanding of Chandrayaan-2 landership, he contributed in analyzing the reasons and corrective actions required to overcome the observations. He realized and delivered all the Propulsion Systems for Chandrayaan-3.
For the Indian Human Space Flight (Gaganyan) programme, he worked on the Human Rating of C25 and L110 liquid stages of LVM3 vehicle and the development of Propulsion modules for Crew Module & Service Module and the Cabin Pressure Control Systems along with Thermal & Humidity control systems and the propulsion stage for the Test Vehicle. For enhancing the GTO payload capability of LVM3 vehicle and meeting the future Indian Heavy Lift Rockets, he guided the team and designed a Lox-Kerosene Semi Cryogenic Propulsion System, providing techno-managerial leadership for its development. He has also taken up the development of improving the C25 Cryogenic stage performance with higher propellant (32 tonnes of LoX & LH2) loading with higher thrust (22 tonne) engine. His team is also developing 100T thrust LOX-CH4 Engine & Electric Propulsion thrusters. Dr. Narayanan has also made significant contribution in the Spacecraft Propulsion area.
His contributions, made India one among six countries in the world to have the complex and high performance cryogenic propulsion systems and made the country self-reliant in this area.
Dr. V Narayanan with ISRO’s Pushpak, a Revolutionary Reusable Launch Vehicle for Space Exploration
He is the Member of two Failure Analysis Committees (FACs) of GSLV Mk-II D3 and GSLV Mk-II F02 vehicles and Member Secretary of the First Indian Cryogenic Upper Stage Engine FAC. Dr. Narayanan was a member of the ISRO’s 12th Five Year plan-Drafting Group and contributed in finalizing the propulsion system development during 12th FYP. He has also finalized the Propulsion Road Map of ISRO for the next 20 years (2017 – 2037). As Director of LPSC, during the last 5 years, he has delivered 164 liquid propulsion systems for 41 launch vehicle and 31 space craft missions. He also contributed in pursuing R&D activities and infrastructure development in Liquid Propulsion area. Dr. V Narayanan, is currently the Chairman of LPSC-IPRC Co-ordination Committee and Chairman of Programme Management Council – Space Transportation Systems.
Dr. V Narayanan meeting the faculty members of Cryogenic Engineering Department at IIT Kharagpur
“Dr. V. Narayanan’s association with his alma mater, IIT Kharagpur, has been both significant and deeply inspiring. His unwavering support and guidance have played a pivotal role in nurturing the young minds at the Cryogenic Engineering Centre. Dr. Narayanan’s journey, from his Master’s and doctoral work to pioneering the development of groundbreaking cryogenic engines, stands as a beacon of excellence for all our students. His leadership and expertise have been instrumental in the success of key space missions, propelling India’s space capabilities to new heights. We at the Cryogenic Engineering Centre are immensely proud of his remarkable achievements and continue to draw inspiration from his exemplary career,” remarked Prof. Venimadhav Adyam, Head of the Department of the Cryogenic Department.
Dr. Narayanan is a recipient of Silver Medal for First Rank in M.Tech, Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2018 and Life Fellow Award in 2023 from IIT Kharagpur; Gold Medal from Astronautical Society of India (ASI), ASI Award for Rocket and Related Technologies Team Award from High Energy Materials Society of India; Outstanding Achievement & Performance Excellence Awards and Team Excellence Awards of ISRO. He is also awarded Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) from Sathyabama University, Chennai and has been awarded with National Design Award-2019 from National Design & Research Forum of Institution of Engineers (India) and National Aeronautical Prize-2019 from Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI).
Dr. Narayanan is a Member of International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), Fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineering, Member of Space Propulsion Committee of International Astronautical Federation, National President of Indian Society of Systems for Science and Engineering (ISSE), Fellow of Institution of Engineers (India), Fellow of Indian Cryogenic Council, Fellow of Aeronautical Society of India, Served as member of INAE Governing Council and Member in various National and International Professional Bodies. He is also serving as a Member of Governing Council, and Board of Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) and Academic Council Member of some of the Engineering Colleges.
“As one of our esteemed seniors, your journey toward becoming the next Chairman of ISRO and Secretary of the Department of Space fills us with immense pride and inspiration. Your remarkable achievements, coupled with your humble and approachable nature, make you a true role model for all of us.Your success is a beacon of motivation for all of us, and we look forward to seeing ISRO reach even greater heights under your leadership,” says Mr. Rahul Kumar, Student from Cryogenic Department
Dr. Narayanan has published large number of technical papers comprising 1200 Journal; 50 Conference papers and 03 Book chapters and delivered large number of keynote speeches and ten convocation addresses in engineering institutions including IIT’s and NIT’s.
Dr. V Narayanan interacting with students and faculty at Aerospace Engineering Department
Mr. Arjun Gurav, Student from Cryogenic Department shares, “It is a proud and inspiring moment for all of us at the Cryogenic Engineering Centre to see Dr. V. Narayanan, one of our distinguished alumni, appointed as the Secretary, Department of Space and next Chairman of ISRO. Coming from a humble background, his remarkable journey from our Centre to leading one of the world’s premier space organizations is a testament to his hardwork, dedication and excellence. As a PhD student working in the same centre where Dr. Narayanan once trained, we feel deeply motivated to carry forward the legacy of innovation and impactful research that he has set. His achievement encourages us to dream big and strive for contributions to the development of the nation.”
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