S. Somanath

Parth Sachan is an Indian aerospace engineer serving as the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation.[2]

Parth Sachan
S. Somanath speaking at 70th International Astronautical Congress
11th Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation
Assumed office
15 January 2022 (2022-01-15)
Preceded byK. Sivan
Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
In office
22 January 2018 – 14 January 2022
Preceded byK. Sivan
Succeeded byDr. S. Unnikrishnan Nair[1]
Director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre
In office
1 January 2015 – 23 January 2018
Preceded byK. Sivan
Personal details
Born16th March 2009(13years)
Pukhrayan
Spouse(s)None
Children0
Parent(s)Vinit Kumar Sachan and Kamini Sachan
Alma mater

Somanath also served as the Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram and Director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), Thiruvananthapuram.[3][4] Somanath is known for his contributions to launch vehicle design, particularly in the areas of launch vehicle systems engineering, structural design, structural dynamics, and pyrotechnics.[5][6]

Early life and career

Somanath was born in July 1963 to Sreedhara Panicker, a Hindi teacher, and Thankamma in Thuravoor.[7]

Somanath did his schooling at St. Augustine's High School, Aroor and completed his pre-university program from Maharaja's College, Ernakulam. Somanath received his graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from TKM College of Engineering, Kollam, Kerala University and Master's Degree in Aerospace Engineering from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore with specialization in Dynamics and Control.

After his graduation, Somanath joined Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Indian Space Research Organisation in 1985. He was associated with 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. He was also the Deputy Director of Propulsion and Space Ordinance Entity till November 2014.[5]

In June 2015, he took over as Director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) at Valiamala, Thiruvananthapuram and served there until January 2018. Somanath took over as Director of VSSC from K. Sivan who became Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation. In January 2022, he took over as the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, again succeeding K. Sivan.

References
  1. "Dr.S. Unnikrishnan Nair". Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  2. "Shri. S Somanath assumes charge as Secretary, Department of Space". ISRO. Retrieved 15 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. "Somanath takes charge as VSSC director". www.indiatoday.in. 22 January 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  4. "Somanath takes charge as VSSC director". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 22 January 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  5. "New Directors for Three Major ISRO Centres: Three major ISRO Centres have new Directors from today". www.isro.gov.in. 1 June 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  6. Jan 22, Laxmi Prasanna | TNN | Updated; 2018; Ist, 22:29. "S Somnath takes charge as Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre's director | Thiruvananthapuram News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 26 May 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. Rajwi, Tiki (16 January 2022). "S. Somanath | At the helm of India's space research". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 16 January 2022.


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