https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=A._RajarajanA. Rajarajan - Revision history2026-08-07T04:58:19ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=A._Rajarajan&diff=483807&oldid=prevKingsCharts at 09:07, 30 March 20262026-03-30T09:07:26Z<p></p>
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{{Short description|Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2025}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2025}}<br />
{{Infobox scientist<br />
| name = Arumugham Rajarajan<br />
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| birth_date = <br />
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| fields = Aerospace engineering; Launch vehicle systems<br />
| workplaces = [[ISRO]]<br />
| known_for = Composite structures; launch vehicle development; Director of VSSC and SDSC-SHAR<br />
| awards = Honorary doctorate ([[Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology]])<br />
}}<br />
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'''Arumugham Rajarajan''' is an Indian aerospace engineer and scientist with [[ISRO]]. He is serving as the director of the [[Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre]] (VSSC), one of the major centre of ISRO responsible for the development of launch vehicles.<ref name=Hindu2025>{{cite news |title=A. Rajarajan to head Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre |newspaper=The Hindu |date=31 July 2025 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/a-rajarajan-to-head-vikram-sarabhai-space-centre/article69878906.ece |access-date=16 November 2025}}</ref> He assumed charge on 1 August 2025.<br />
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Rajarajan previously served as the director of the [[Satish Dhawan Space Centre]] (SDSC-SHAR), ISRO’s primary spaceport at Sriharikota.<br />
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He is known for his expertise as a composites specialist and a key contributor to launch vehicle programmes, including [[Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle|PSLV]], [[Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle|GSLV]] and [[LVM3]].<br />
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==Early career==<br />
Rajarajan joined ISRO in 1987.<ref>{{cite web |title=A. RAJARAJAN |url=https://www.iafastro.org/ |website=IAF |access-date=16 November 2025}}</ref> His early work primarily focused on structural engineering, composites, spacecraft structures, and ISRO’s launch vehicle systems.{{Citation needed|date=March 2026}}<br />
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==Career==<br />
===Indian Space Research Organisation===<br />
Over his career with ISRO, Rajarajan has worked in areas such as structural design, composite materials, stage integration, mission readiness and launch operations. He also played critical roles in ISRO's various launch vehicle programmes including PSLV, GSLV and LVM3.<ref name=TOI2025>{{cite news |title=ISRO journey: 46 years, 99 launches; 'next 100 will be much quicker' |newspaper=The Times of India |date=28 January 2025 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/isros-milestone-100th-launch-marks-new-era-of-accelerated-space-missions-/articleshow/117629777.cms |access-date=16 November 2025}}</ref><br />
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===Director, SDSC SHAR===<br />
As director of SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota, Rajarajan looked after the launch operations, modernisation of ground infrastructure and activities supporting commercial launch services. During this tenure as director, he was associated with major missions including [[Aditya-L1]], [[Chandrayaan-2]] and [[Chandrayaan-3]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Keralites behind Chandrayaan-2 mission |newspaper=OnManorama |date=23 July 2019 |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2019/07/23/keralites-behind-chandrayaan-2-mission.html |access-date=16 November 2025}}</ref><br />
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===Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre===<br />
Rajarajan assumed charge as the director of VSSC on 1 August 2025, succeeding [[S. Unnikrishnan Nair]].<ref name=Hindu2025 /> In his present role, he leads the centre in the development and qualification of ISRO’s launch vehicle fleet, advanced propulsion systems, composite structures and human-rated vehicle initiatives.<ref>{{cite news |title=Air-drop test success a big step in Gaganyaan mission, says ISRO scientist Rajarajan |newspaper=The Hindu |date=2025 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/air-drop-test-success-a-big-step-in-gaganyaan-mission-says-isro-scientist-rajarajan/article69975989.ece |access-date=16 November 2025}}</ref><br />
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==Contributions==<br />
Independent news reporting highlights:<br />
* his role as a composites specialist<br />
* indigenisation of solid-motor and composite structure<br />
* leadership in launchpad infrastructure upgrades<br />
* involvement in pre-Gaganyaan mission testing<ref>{{cite news |title=ISRO successfully conducts integrated airdrop test for Gaganyaan mission |newspaper=ET Manufacturing |date=2025 |url=https://manufacturing.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/aerospace-defence/isro-successfully-conducts-integrated-airdrop-test-for-gaganyaan-mission/123491917 |access-date=16 November 2025}}</ref><br />
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==Other roles==<br />
Rajarajan also associated with the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) and other institutional mechanisms supporting India’s commercial space sector.{{Citation needed|date=March 2026}}<br />
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==Honours==<br />
He was awarded an honorary doctorate (Honoris Causa) by [[Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2026}}<br />
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==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Rajarajan, A.}}<br />
[[Category:Indian aerospace engineers]]<br />
[[Category:ISRO people]]<br />
[[Category:Living people]]<br />
[[Category:Scientists from Thiruvananthapuram]]<br />
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]<br />
[[Category:Date of birth missing]]</div>KingsCharts