India’s Space Dominance Continues: All About ISRO Chief V. Narayanan and the ‘Baahubali’ Mission

India once again made history as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its heaviest satellite to date. Leading the mission is ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan, whose vision and expertise have been instrumental in this landmark achievement.

‘Baahubali’ Mission Sees Successful Launch
From the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, ISRO successfully deployed the Bluebird Block-2, a next-generation communication satellite for the United States, aboard the powerful LVM3-M6 rocket—popularly nicknamed ‘Baahubali’ for its immense strength. Prior to the launch, Dr. Narayanan visited the Shri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Tirumala to offer prayers for the mission’s success.

According to Dr. Narayanan, the LVM3-M6 rocket has efficiently carried out the mission. The satellite will support advanced 4G and 5G communication services, enhancing internet and mobile connectivity across the globe.

Who is V. Narayanan?
Dr. V. Narayanan is a renowned Indian scientist and rocket propulsion expert. He previously served as Director of ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), headquartered at Valiamala, Thiruvananthapuram, a key center responsible for providing liquid propulsion systems for ISRO’s space missions.

Born and educated in Tamil-medium schools, Dr. Narayanan earned his M.Tech in Cryogenic Engineering and a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from IIT Kharagpur. He was awarded the Silver Medal for his outstanding performance in the M.Tech program. Additionally, he completed his school education with a first rank in DME and Mechanical Engineering through AMIE certification.

With nearly 40 years of experience in spacecraft and rocket technology, Dr. Narayanan is a leading authority in rocket and spacecraft propulsion. Under his leadership, LPSC has supplied 183 liquid propulsion systems and control power plants for various ISRO missions.

Journey with ISRO
Dr. Narayanan began his career with ISRO in 1984 and became Director of LPSC in 2018. Among his notable contributions is serving as Project Director for the C25 cryogenic stage of the GSLV Mk III vehicle.

Awards and Recognitions

• Silver Medal from IIT Kharagpur
• National Design Award from NDRF
• Gold Medal from the Astronautical Society of India (ASI)

Dr. Narayanan’s leadership and technical expertise continue to strengthen India’s position in global space exploration, making the success of the ‘Baahubali’ mission a landmark achievement in the country’s space history.