India appointed rocket scientist V. Narayanan as the new head of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the government said on Tuesday, a key role as India works to become a space superpower.

Dr V. Narayanan, a distinguished rocket propulsion expert, will take over as ISRO Chairperson on January 14, 2025, succeeding Dr S. Somanath. With a career spanning four decades, Narayanan has played a pivotal role in developing India’s cryogenic engine technology and leading landmark missions like Chandrayaan-3.

Born in 1964 in Melakattu village Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari District, Narayanan completed his early schooling in his hometown. He earned a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (DME) and an Associate Membership in Mechanical Engineering from the Institution of Engineers (AMIE).