Bengaluru: A wave of superannuations across Isro in recent months has triggered one of the most extensive leadership reshuffles at its major centres, with new directors taking charge of facilities responsible for rockets, spacecraft, propulsion, launch operations, mission control and human spaceflight.The reshuffles mark a transition in the leadership overseeing Isro’s next phase, with the Gaganyaan test campaign providing the first major measure of how that transition works in practice.At the Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC), which is coordinating the Gaganyaan programme, SR Biju, the previous director (projects) at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and associated with the Gaganyaan programme, took over as director after DK Singh was moved to head the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC).The transition comes at a crucial point for Gaganyaan, with the first uncrewed mission targeted within the next 16-20 weeks. The programme is moving towards a phase in which work at several centres must come together.At least seven major centres have seen leadership changes in the past few months, largely because their directors reached superannuation.At VSSC, Isro’s principal centre for launch vehicle development, A Rajarajan superannuated and UP Rajeev took over as director on July 1. Rajeev’s appointment is significant because VSSC is deeply involved in the launch vehicle systems needed for Gaganyaan, apart from Isro’s broader rocket programmes.At the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, which serves as India’s spaceport, ES Padma Kumar at the helm was succeeded by S Muthuchezhian. The leadership change comes as Isro prepares to resume a busy launch schedule, with the GSLV-F17/EOS-05 mission scheduled for Sept 4.URSC, Isro’s main spacecraft development centre in Bengaluru, has seen M Sankaran superannuate, with HSFC director DK Singh moving in as the new director.Other changes have followed a similar pattern. At the Isro Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri, Asir Packiraj was succeeded by Narayan Appu. At the Isro Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC), Anil Kumar superannuated and MR Raghavendra took over. At the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), M Mohan was succeeded by Jayan N.GFX:NameFromToNature of changeSR BijuVSSCHSFCMoved to head HSFCDK SinghHSFCURSCMoved to head URSCA RajarajanVSSC—Superannuated; succeeded by UP RajeevES Padma KumarSatish Dhawan Space Centre—Succeeded by S MuthuchezhianM SankaranURSC—Superannuated; succeeded by DK SinghAsir PackirajIPRC—Succeeded by Narayan AppuAnil KumarISTRAC—Superannuated; succeeded by MR RaghavendraM MohanLPSC—Succeeded by Jayan N.
