M. Mohan Appointed as Director of ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre

On January 25, 2025, M. Mohan was appointed as the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He succeeds Dr. V. Narayanan, who recently assumed the role of Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on January 14, 2025.

Background of M. Mohan

M. Mohan has been an integral part of ISRO’s propulsion initiatives, contributing significantly to various projects over the years. His expertise in liquid propulsion systems has been pivotal in advancing India’s space capabilities.

Evolution of Leadership at LPSC

The LPSC has seen a lineage of distinguished directors who have propelled India’s space missions:

Dr. A.E. Muthunayagam (1985-1994): The founding director, often referred to as the father of propulsion technology in India’s space program, established the foundation for liquid propulsion in ISRO.

Dr. K. Sivan: Before becoming ISRO Chairman in 2018, Dr. Sivan served as the Director of LPSC, contributing to significant advancements in propulsion technology.

Dr. S. Somanath: Prior to his tenure as ISRO Chairman starting in 2022, Dr. Somanath also led LPSC, overseeing critical developments in liquid propulsion systems.

Dr. V. Narayanan (2018-2025): Under his leadership, LPSC achieved milestones in cryogenic propulsion, enhancing the performance of launch vehicles.

Significance of LPSC in ISRO’s Missions

The LPSC is a crucial center for ISRO, focusing on the development of liquid propulsion stages for launch vehicles and spacecraft. Its contributions have been instrumental in missions such as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), and the Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan projects.

Looking Ahead

With M. Mohan at the helm, LPSC is poised to continue its trajectory of innovation and excellence. His leadership is expected to further strengthen ISRO’s propulsion capabilities, contributing to upcoming missions like Gaganyaan and advancements in reusable launch vehicle technologies.

Summary of the news

Key Point	Details
Why in News	M. Mohan appointed Director of ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) on January 25, 2025, succeeding Dr. V. Narayanan.
LPSC	Located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala; develops liquid propulsion stages for ISRO’s launch vehicles and spacecraft.
Outgoing Director	Dr. V. Narayanan, now ISRO Chairman (appointed on January 14, 2025).
ISRO Chairman (Current)	Dr. V. Narayanan.
LPSC Contributions	PSLV, GSLV, Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan projects; future focus on Gaganyaan and reusable launch vehicles.
Kerala (State)	CM: Pinarayi Vijayan; Governor: Rajendra Arlekar; Capital: Thiruvananthapuram.
Previous LPSC Directors	Dr. A.E. Muthunayagam, Dr. K. Sivan, Dr. S. Somanath, Dr. V. Narayanan.