Dr. V. Narayanan is a world-renowned Rocket and Spacecraft Propulsion Expert serving as the Secretary of the Department of Space and Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Joining ISRO in 1984, Dr. Narayanan has dedicated over four decades to India's space program. In the initial phase of his career at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), he made foundational contributions to Solid Propulsion across Sounding Rockets, ASLV, and PSLV launch vehicles.

After completing his M.Tech in Cryogenic Engineering with First Rank from IIT Kharagpur in 1989, he joined the Cryogenic Propulsion Programme at LPSC, playing a pivotal role in the development and operationalisation of indigenous cryogenic subsystems for GSLV Mk-II and GSLV Mk-III.

As Project Director of the prestigious C25 Cryogenic Project, Dr. Narayanan provided visionary techno-managerial leadership in the realization of the 25-tonne cryogenic propulsion system for GSLV Mk-III, placing India among the select group of nations possessing advanced cryogenic capability.

Dr. Narayanan played central leadership roles in flagship national missions including Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and the Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight Programme, delivering critical propulsion reliability for launch vehicles, landers, and crew modules.

He earned his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from IIT Kharagpur in 2001 and has received prestigious national accolades including the Astronautical Society of India Gold Medal, Distinguished Alumnus Award from IIT Kharagpur, and an Honorary Doctorate (D.Sc.).