Shri. Ramanujam Varatharaja Perumal
Director,
30/10/2004 - 31/01/2007,
LPSC, ISRO 		Director

Sri R V Perumal , a leading technologist in the field of Space Research, was the Director of LPSC. As Director, LPSC, he has provided direction in the Development of Liquid Rocket Stages and engines like indigenous Cryogenic Stage for GSLV and new initiatives like 2000 kN Semi-Cryogenic Engines for future heavy lift launch vehicles of ISRO.

He has served as Director (Projects) & Associate Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Trivandrum in the period from September 20, 2003 to October 29, 2004.

He was the Associate Director (Projects), Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Trivandrum In-charge of overall technical and financial management of all the Launch Vehicle Projects of ISRO during the period May 2001 to October 2004.

He was the Project Director of Geo-Synchronous Launch Vehicle Project (GSLV). As Project Director, GSLV, led the team in the realisation of the vehicle during the crucial phases of developmental and qualification testing. A very important and difficult task was the technical and financial management of the Russian Contract for the procurement of the Cryogenic Stage. By bringing in the vast experience in the launch vehicle technology and also the management expertise gained in large high value, technology intensive and risk prone contracts, the Cryogenic Stage realisation was successfully managed. Against a backdrop of series of failures of new launch vehicles, GSLV was successful in the very first launch. This is considered extremely creditable for India.

He was the Dy. Project Director, Structural & Mechanical Systems (SMS)/ Project Director, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) As DPD-SMS, led the team in the design of hardware and mechanical systems of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The effort involved conceptualising the design, detailed design with special attention to functional requirements, realisation, testing and qualification.
Special mention may be made on: -

  • Realisation of Maraging steel motor case of 2800 mm diameter from materials to final product. In particular, development of welding technology and NDE techniques and acceptance standards

  • Conceptual designs for Aluminium alloy stiffened shell structures of PSLV like
  • Core Base Shroud capable of receiving concentrated axial loads (700 kN), radial loads and large cut-outs for avionics

  • Integrally stiffened shell structure of 3.2m diameter and 8.3m length for the payload fairing with interchangeable longitudinal frangible joints

  • Total number of structures newly designed under direct involvement is 13

  • Definition and setting up of an integrated light alloy structural manufacturing facility involving large CNC machines and assembly jigs to realise upto 3.2 m in diameter 8.5 m in length structures

  • Coordinated the efforts towards integration, realisation and launch of first three launches of PSLV as Vehicle Director and Mission Director

  • Vast experience in overall system level planning and managing development of multi-disciplinary complex systems like launch vehicles

  • Have set up the environmental test facilities including India's first space simulation chamber, aerodynamic heating simulator for rocket structures and structural testing facilities

He has served as Dy. Head, Structural Engineering Division (DH-STR) during the period from October 1970 to August 1980. Actively involved in the design analysis of various products and contributed through value addition to meet the design requirements and improve their robustness. As Project Leader of the Launch Systems for SLV-3, led the team in the design and realisation of the launcher, which can lift the 17 ton, 21 m long SLV-3 from its transporter and make it vertical and also align the azimuth for launch. During this period as Chairman of the Failure Analysis Board, analysed all failures in the mechanical and chemical systems occurring during development and resolved them leading to realisation of more reliable products.

He was also awarded:

  • Astronautical Society of India Award for Rocket & Related Technologies-1994
  • HK Firodia Memorial Award for Excellence in Science & Technology-2001
  • Padma Bhushan Award for Science & Technology- 2002 by Govt. of India