V Narayanan

Aerospace Engineer

Indian Village Melakattu, Nagercoil, District Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu

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Quick Info

ProfessionAerospace Engineer
NationalityIndian
BirthplaceVillage Melakattu, Nagercoil, District Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
Date of Birth14/05/1964
Age61 years

Latest News about V Narayanan

13/01/2025

Dr. V. Narayanan, Distinguished Scientist and former Director of ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, assumed charge as Secretary, Department of Space, Chairman, Space Commission, and Chairman, ISRO on 13 January 2025. This appointment followed his 40 years of service at ISRO, including leadership in cryogenic engine development for missions like Chandrayaan-3 and GSLV Mk-III. He succeeded S. Somanath and is tasked with advancing India's space ambitions, including the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program.

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Physical Stats & More

Eye ColorBlack
Hair ColorSalt & Pepper

Educational Qualification(s)

Qualifications
  • M.Tech. in Cryogenic Engineering (1989)
  • Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering (2001)
College/UniversityIndian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur

Personal Life

ReligionHinduism

Relationships & More

Marital StatusMarried

Family

FatherC. Vanniyaperumal (farmer)
MotherS. Thangammal (homemaker)
Siblings3 Brothers, 2 Sisters
SpouseKavitharaj N.K. (doctor)
ChildrenSon - Divyaa, Daughter - Kalesh

Career

OverviewV Narayanan is a prominent aerospace engineer and rocket technologist associated with ISRO. His journey in the aerospace domain began after joining ISRO in 1984, where he worked in various capacities. On 13/01/2025, he assumed charge as Secretary, Department of Space, Chairman, Space Commission, and Chairman, ISRO.
Key Contributions
  • Played a significant role in the development of India's cryogenic propulsion systems.
  • Led the C25 Cryogenic Project for the GSLV Mk-III Launch Vehicle, which was a rapid and successful development.
  • As director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, he oversaw the creation of numerous propulsion systems for spacecraft and launch vehicles, including critical missions like Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3.
  • Contributed to the overall success of India's Gaganyaan program, focusing on human-rating technologies.
  • Under his leadership at LPSC, 226 liquid propulsion systems and control power plants were delivered for ISRO's launch vehicles and satellites.[2]
  • Served as Director of LPSC from 24/01/2018 to 26/01/2025.[5]
  • Joined ISRO in 1984, initially working in the Solid Propulsion area for Rohini Sounding Rockets, Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicles (ASLV), and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV) at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram.
  • Contributed to the process planning, control, and realisation of ablative nozzle systems, composite motor cases, and composite igniter cases.
  • One of approximately 20 ISRO engineers sent to Russia to train on cryogenic engines and incorporate them into Indian launch vehicles.
  • Chair of the National Expert Committee that studied the reasons for the Chandrayaan-2 lander hard landing and recommended corrective actions implemented in Chandrayaan-3.
  • Advanced work on semi-cryogenic and green propulsion systems, and contributed to designs for India's planned Venus Orbiter mission.
Awards & Recognition
  • Silver Medal from IIT Kharagpur for First Rank in M.Tech.
  • Distinguished Alumni Award (2018) from IIT Kharagpur
  • Gold Medal from the Astronautical Society of India (ASI)
  • ASI Award for Rocket and Related Technologies
  • ISRO's Outstanding Achievement Award
  • National Design Award (2019)
  • National Aeronautical Prize (2019)
  • Honorary Doctorate of Science from Sathyabama University, Chennai
  • Life Fellowship Award (2023) from IIT Kharagpur

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. V Narayanan attended a Tamil medium school during his childhood.
2. His family home received electricity for the first time when he was in Class 9.
3. He topped his Class 10 exams and was first in Mechanical Engineering Diploma.
4. Before his tenure at ISRO, he worked for over a year in Trichy and Ranipet.
5. He contributed to the creation of vital propulsion technologies that put India among the few nations with advanced cryogenic capacities.
6. In 2023, he played a pivotal role in analyzing failures and providing solutions for the Chandrayaan-2 mission.
7. Born in 1964 in Melakattu village, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu.[7]
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