Shri Somanath S

Member, International Advisory Committee, WASAMSA2022

Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, ISRO

Shri Somanath S is a Distinguished Scientist and Secretary, Department of Space, Chairman, Space
Commission and Chairman, ISRO since 14 January 2022. Shri. Somanath, spanning a distinguished
career of nearly 36 years, has made significant contribution in the area of space technology. Shri
Somanath is an expert in the area of system engineering of launch vehicles .
In his previous assignment as Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in 2018, the lead
Centre of ISRO he was responsible for Launch vehicle technology development. Under his
leadership, VSSC has achieved significant feats like Crew Escape System demonstration through Pad
Abort Test (PAT), launch of GSLV Mk-III M1/Chandrayaan 2, and he spearheading the upcoming
Gaganyaan mission and the development of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
Prior to that, he had been the Director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) where he led the
team to complete the development and qualification of CE20 cryogenic engine and the C25 stage
which was successfully flown in GSLV Mk-III D1 flight. In his capacity as the Associate Director
(Projects) of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and Project Director of GSLV Mk-III Launch vehicle,
the first Experimental flight of LVM3-X/CARE mission was successfully accomplished on 18th
December, 2014.
He is a Fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE), Fellow of Aeronautical Society
of India (AeSI), Astronautical Society of India (ASI) and a member of International Academy of
Astronautics (IAA).
He has published several papers in journals & seminars in the area of structural dynamics and control,
dynamic analysis of separation mechanisms, vibration & acoustic testing, launch vehicle design and
launch services management.