Veteran space scientist Dr A. E. Muthunayagam, one of the principal architects of India’s liquid propulsion programme, has been awarded the Padma Shri in 2026 in the field of Science and Engineering. Dr. Muthunayagam was a pioneer in the initial space programs of India, and his contribution to the development of liquid propulsion systems in the country has been instrumental in launching the country’s most important launch vehicles, such as the PSLV and GSLV. As the founder Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), Dr. Muthunayagam’s illustrious career has been a long and storied one, spanning several decades.
From Nagercoil to global classrooms
A. E. Muthunayagam was born on January 11, 1939, in Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu. He showed early promise in engineering and applied sciences. He completed his Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Madras in 1960 with first-class honors. He further pursued his master’s degree from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru in 1962 with distinction.He further acquired a Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from the School of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University, USA, in 1965, where he was exposed to the latest aerospace research, including projects associated with NASA. Later, he diversified his interests into law, acquiring an LLB degree from the University of Kerala in 1975.
The architect of India’s rocket propulsion
Dr Muthunayagam joined the emerging space programme in India in 1966 and settled in Thiruvananthapuram. He was one of the first batches of scientists recruited by Vikram Sarabhai, who is often called the father of the Indian space program.Over the next decades, he held several key positions at the Space Science and Technology Centre (SSTC), later renamed Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), heading both the Propulsion Engineering and Mechanical Engineering divisions. He led critical projects including the Rohini 125 Rocket Project, the Rohini Multi-stage Rocket Project, and the Strip Wound Motor Project. He also served as Project Engineer and Chairman of the Board of Administration at the Static Test and Evaluation Complex in Sriharikota.
Building liquid propulsion systems
Dr Muthunayagam’s most enduring contribution came with the development of liquid propulsion technology. As Project Manager of the Vikas engine project, developed in collaboration with a French aerospace company, he oversaw a major technological leap that became the backbone of India’s launch vehicles.In November 1985, he became the founding Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), a role he held until April 1994. Under his leadership, LPSC established critical test stands and assembly facilities at Mahendragiri, enabling the testing of liquid stages for the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). He also chaired the Rocket Propulsion Board and led mission readiness reviews for the ASLV D1 and D2 launches.
Contributions beyond ISRO
After LPSC, Dr Muthunayagam continued to serve in national and academic capacities. He was Secretary of the Department of Ocean Development, Executive Vice-President of the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, and Chairman of the Board of Governors of IIT Madras (2005–2008). He also served on national advisory committees in science, technology, and propulsion.Internationally, he chaired the Regional Committee of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission for the Central Indian Ocean and the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, while serving as Vice-Chairman of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission during 1996–1998.In academia, he coordinated the establishment of ancillary industrial units around space centres, reviewed papers for international journals, and examined postgraduate theses in mechanical engineering for Indian and foreign universities.
Recognition and professional standing
Dr Muthunayagam is a Fellow of leading scientific and engineering bodies, including the Indian National Academy of Engineering, the Astronautical Society of India, the Aeronautical Society of India, and the Institution of Engineers (India). He is also a foreign member of the Academy of Cosmonautics, Moscow.The Padma Shri 2026 award recognizes Dr. Muthunayagam for his lifetime of service, especially for laying the technological base for the space program of India. Right from his days with Vikram Sarabhai to the development of liquid propulsion at LPSC, Dr. Muthunayagam has been at the forefront of India’s success in space.
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