ISRO on the road to revival: New directors appointed; Malayali scientist Biju to head Gaganyaan; Vyommitra launch within three months

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A series of setbacks, including consecutive PSLV failures, alleged profiteering in the name of privatisation, the mass resignation of 120 scientists and delays in scheduled launches, had raised concerns about the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), one of the country's most prestigious institutions. The Centre has now begun urgent steps to restore the organisation's image and improve its performance.

As part of the revival efforts, new directors have been appointed to several ISRO centres. One of the key decisions is the appointment of PSLV Director and Malayali scientist S.R. Biju as the head of the Gaganyaan programme, which has been progressing slowly for nearly six years. He replaces Dinesh Singh. The Vyommitra humanoid robot is expected to be launched within three months.

Biju (58) is a native of Kuravankonam in Thiruvananthapuram and a former student of the College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram (CET). He has been leading the development and launch of new versions of the PSLV.

A new post of Project Director has also been created to address delays in missions. Jaswinder Singh Khoral has been given charge of the post. A new research and development division has also been set up, with S. Sudhakar appointed as its director.

Recently, Dr U.P. Rajeev, N. Jayan, Narayanan Appu and Joji G. Chaman were appointed as directors of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), ISRO Propulsion Research Complex (IPRC) and ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU), respectively.

170 new scientists; launch planned for September 4

ISRO will recruit 170 new scientists, with an annual salary of Rs 25 lakh. Launch activities that have remained stalled for eight months are expected to resume in September.

ISRO Chairman Dr V. Narayanan said the organisation is considering September 4 for the launch of the Defence Ministry's EOS-05 satellite. A GSLV Mark II rocket has been kept ready at Sriharikota for the past three months. The launch date will be finalised after a technical review. The satellite has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

A dark phase for ISRO

1. A series of failures involving defence satellites has affected ISRO's reputation. The failures of EOS-03 on August 21, 2021, EOS-09 on May 18, 2025, and the advanced EOS-N1 satellite on January 12, 2026, raised concerns. Following the failures, the Centre made approval mandatory for satellite launches amid suspicions of possible sabotage.
2. The decision to privatise the GSLV, PSLV and SSLV rockets, as well as the upcoming rocket launch facility at Kulasekarapattinam, has drawn strong criticism from the Opposition.