Keralite scientist Dr S Somanath set to become next ISRO chairman

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Another Malayali is set to head ISRO. Reports claim that director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Dr S Somanath, is being considered for ISRO chairman's post as the current chairman K. Sivan retires in January 2021.

Keralites G Madhavan Nair, M G K Menon, Kasthurirangan and K Radhakrishnan had been at the helm of ISRO earlier. ISRO appoints scientists in the central secretary as its chairman. Only K. Sivan hold this position now. A panel of central cabinet decided to give central secretary designation to Dr S. Somanath recently. It will be in effect from January 1, 2020.

Dr K. Sivan became the ISRO chairman in 2018.