Somanath takes charge as ISRO chief
New Delhi, Jan. 14 (Delhi Crown): Dr S. Somanath on Friday assumed the charge as Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, Space Commission, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Somanath had played a key role in the development of the GSLV Mk-III launcher, and was also a team leader for the Integration of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) during the early phases of his career.
He has been heading the VSSC since January 2018. He will succeed K. Sivan as the next head of ISRO, one of the world’s leading space agencies.
Somanath has been part of the development activities of the high thrust semi-cryogenic engine and conceived a fast-track hardware realization and test program.
The development of throttleable engines for lander craft of Chandrayaan-2 and the first-time successful flight of an electric propulsion system in GSAT-9 were some of his achievements.