Shri Rajarajan A , Distinguished Scientist, assumed charge as the Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre on 1st August 2025. Formerly, he was the Director of Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota.
His sustained contributions and technology leadership at ISRO in various capacities and roles have been transformative for making our nation self reliant in the field of space technology.
As Director, SDSC SHAR, he was leading multidisciplinary technical teams in the Solid Motor production and Launch Complex Infrastructure to meet ISRO`s increased demand of launches. Major flights successfully carried out include Chandrayaan-3, Aditya L1, Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), LVM3 M2 / OneWebIndia-1-the first dedicated commercial mission, Vikram-S–the first privately built rocket of the country as well as Human Space Programme (Gaganyaan) experimental flights such as TVD01.
He has equipped SDSC-SHAR to concurrently expand the launch base infrastructure of ISRO and commercial space industry in line with the new space policy, through comprehensive resource planning and innovation. Exclusive launch complex for Small Satellite Launch Vehicle was being configured under his leadership.
During his career spanning nearly four decades, he has held several positions of leadership at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), where he was Deputy Director of three major entities. During this period, he specialized in the design and development of launch vehicles and spacecraft composite systems including the carbon–carbon composites, making ISRO a world leader in this niche domain. He also synergized all activities towards the design of key propulsion systems of SSLV and in the formation of a dedicated entity for Space ordinance in VSSC.
He is very active in the technology landscape in the country and has been serving as the President of ISAMPE, India from Nov 2023 onwards. He has several International Journal and Conference papers and was awarded with a patent in the area of Film-Boiling CVI technology development.
He has been awarded with Honorary Doctorate by Sathyabama University, Chennai for his excellent contributions for space applications. In recognition of his meritorious contribution for space research, he has been felicitated with several awards and honors including ISRO Merit award and Team excellence awards.
Contact Address
Director
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala, India, Pin Code:695022
Phone: 0471- 2565567
Fax: 0471 270 4105
Email: [email protected]