V. Narayanan is an Indian aerospace engineer and rocket technologist. He is currently the Director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), Thiruvananthapuram. He has been appointed as the new Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation with effect from 14th January 2025. Narayanan is set to succeed S. Somanath as the next Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He is set to lead the organisation when there is the ongoing development of various progammes like Gaganyaan, Chandrayaan-4 and the launch of India's first space station.