January 12, 2022
1 min read

Senior scientist from Kerala is new ISRO chief

The previous Malayalees who have held the top post are K. Kasturirangan, G. Madhavan Nair, and K. Radhakrishnan…reports Asian Lite News

Scientist S. Somanath is all set to take over as the new Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), succeeding K. Sivan.

Somanath, who is currently Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in the Kerala state capital, will be fourth Keralite to occupy the topmost post in the Indian space sector.

The previous Malayalees who have held the top post are K. Kasturirangan, G. Madhavan Nair, and K. Radhakrishnan.

Sivan was given a year’s extension and his term is set to end very soon and Somnath’s name was cleared for the top office way back in 2019 itself, by virtue of his seniority in the ISRO hierarchy.

Somanath completed his Pre Degree from the Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam and did mechanical engineering from the TKM College of Engineering, Kollam, near here and in 1985 joined the VSSC centre here and has had no reason to look back after that.

He later did his Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore with specialisation in Dynamics and Control.

At the ISRO, he has been associated with the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) Project during its initial phase.

Later he became the Associate Director (Projects) of the VSSC and also the Project Director of the GSLV Mk-III launch vehicle in 2010. He was also the Deputy Director of Propulsion and Space Ordinance Entity till November 2014.

In June 2015, he took over as Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) at Valiamala, Thiruvananthapuram, and served there until January 2018.

Somanath then took over as Director of VSSC from Sivan who became Chairman of the ISRO and now he is all set to succeed him in the top post too.

ALSO READ-ISRO helping send man 6,000 metres deep into ocean

Previous Story

Bilawal dubs Imran ‘crisis of this century’

Next Story

Can too much mobile usage hurt your kids?

Latest from -Top News

Islamists Rise Under Yunus Rule

After the departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, Islamic parties in Bangladesh, crushed for years by the Awami League government, have made inroads into the political arena…writes Baidya

TIES WITH CHINA: Is Bangladesh Going Lanka Way?

Plans for nine Special Economic Zones, including Chinese-developed sites in Chattogram and Chandpur, promise jobs but risk creating enclaves where Beijing’s economic priorities overshadow Bangladesh’s….reports Asian Lite News On a humid March

Khaleda Zia’s Son Return Looms as Yunus Faces Heat

The core question remains whether Rahman can provide leadership in politically turbulent times in Bangladesh….reports Asian Lite News Speculation is mounting in Bangladesh over the possible return of Tarique Rahman, son of

India Eyes Top 5 Spot in Global Entertainment

With focused investments, policy support, and infrastructural upgrades, India is on track to position itself as one of the top five live entertainment destinations globally by 2030…reports Asian Lite News Fueled by
Go toTop