Senior Rocket Scientist S Somanath Appointed As Chief of ISRO

Senior rocket scientist and Indian aerospace engineer, Dr. S Somanath has been named the head of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Secretary of the Department of Space.

Somanath will succeed K Sivan, who completed his extended tenure on Friday, January 14.

Dr. S Somanath joined Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Indian Space Research Organisation in 1985. He was associated with the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) project during its initial phase. He became the Associate Director (Projects) of VSSC and also the Project Director of GSLV Mk-III launch vehicle in 2010.

The Government in a press conference said that “His new appointment is for a combined tenure of three years from the date of joining of the post, inclusive of an extension in tenure beyond the age of superannuation in public interest“.