Dr V Naryanan - the Cryogenic King

dr. v. narayanan, known as the "cryogenic king," has risen from humble beginnings to become a distinguished figure in the indian space industry. born into a poor family and educated in a tamil medium government school, narayanan's journey is a testament to hard work and dedication. today, he serves as the director of the liquid propulsion systems centre (lpsc) in thiruvananthapuram, under the indian space research organisation (isro).joining isro 41 years ago as a technical assistant, narayanan has ascended to the position of senior scientist, holding the prestigious apex scale scientist rank equivalent to the secretary of the department of space. at lpsc, he has spearheaded the design and manufacture of propulsion engines essential for launching rockets and orbiting satellites. in the 1990s, india relied heavily on foreign countries for advanced propulsion technology, making narayanan's contributions even more significant.he was part of a select group of 20 scientists sent to russia to acquire cryogenic engine technology. his fascination with cryogenics led him to become the first student to earn an m.tech in the field from iit kharagpur, where he later obtained a doctorate. this unique expertise places him among a small elite globally.despite initial setbacks, including russia's refusal to share advanced cryogenic technology, narayanan and his team worked tirelessly to develop indigenous solutions. their efforts culminated in 2014 with the successful design and development of a cryogenic engine, allowing india to join the ranks of just five other countries possessing this technology. this achievement paved the way for significant missions, including the successful landing of the chandrayaan spacecraft on the moon.following the challenges faced by chandrayaan-2, narayanan led a committee to analyze the mission's difficulties, swiftly identifying issues to ensure the success of chandrayaan-3. his leadership and expertise were instrumental in carrying the mission from earth to the moon, utilizing two specially designed engines, including a cryogenic engine.narayanan's contributions extend beyond spacecraft. his role in developing fluid propulsion engines is vital for astronaut safety in upcoming space missions. as he reflects on his success, he credits his achievements to the unwavering support of his parents, vanniaperumal and thangammal, as well as the guidance of his teachers. growing up in melakattuvlai village near nagercoil, he persevered through challenges, studying by kerosene lamp and excelling academically.despite a demanding career at isro—where he seldom took time off—his wife, dr. kavita raj, has been his strongest support. he cherishes the recognition from prime minister modi for his contributions to cryogenic technology, alongside receiving the achievement award from president murmu.as space technology continues to evolve, narayanan remains at the forefront, leading initiatives on semi-cryogenic engines and electric propulsion systems designed for long-distance travel to other planets. he also heads the quality control team for the gaganyaan program, which aims to send humans into space safely.narayanan emphasizes that his achievements are not his alone but the result of collaborative efforts with the talented scientists and engineers he leads.-columnist: gv rameshkumar