Several Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) veterans including AE Muthunayagam, former director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Center (LPSC), have accused former scientist S. has challenged the claims allegedly made by Nambi Narayanan. Madhavan-starrer biopic Rocketry: The Nambi EffectWith regard to his contribution to the Indian space programme, particularly in relation to cryogenic propulsion.
Many of the claims in the film and the claims made by Sree Narayanan at various forums are baseless and mislead the public, former scientists, including D. Sasikumaran, who was also implicated in the espionage case, told a meeting- The press event was organized by Thiruvananthapuram Press Club here on Wednesday.
He said that though he had no personal animosity or ill-will towards Sree Narayanan, he wanted to present the facts before the public, he said. He said that ISRO’s successes are a product of teamwork and no individual can claim sole credit.
According to Dr. Muthunayagam and EVS Namboothiri, who chaired the project management board on the Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) project, the major development in cryogenic propulsion at ISRO took place after Sree Narayanan left the LPSC in 1994.
Sree Narayanan was neither a member of the study project that recommended nor contributed to the development of cryogenic propulsion systems in the mid-eighties. He was also not in the Cryogenic Propulsion Development Group formed in 1987 by Dr Muthunayagam, in which Sri Namboothiri was the group director, Dr. Muthunayagam said.
Recently, Mr Narayanan claimed that he had good knowledge on cryogenic propulsion systems from his Russian friend during his MS program at Princeton University. He didn’t tell anything about the cryogenic study project of the mid-eighties, or the EVS Namboodiri in 1987, or his controlling officer or ISRO management. Sree Narayanan’s role and film in these claims in public meetings over the years rocketry Serious investigation can be done and the truth can be brought out for the benefit of the public,” Dr Muthunayagam said in a written statement.
According to Dr. Muthunayagam, Sri Narayanan, under him, was responsible for the development activities related to the liquid states, but he never had any responsibility in their development independent of Dr. Muthunayagam.
On why he waited so long with a rebuttal from Sree Narayanan, who was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2019 for his contributions, former scientists said the ‘errors’ have now accumulated to a large extent.
Asked whether he had confronted Mr. Narayanan regarding the claims, Dr. Muthunaygam replied that he had said that he had in fact requested his former colleague to refrain from claims based on lies. Responding to questions about custodial torture during the espionage case, Mr. Sasikumaran said he himself was not physically assaulted while in custody.
‘Unanswered Questions’
There are still many unanswered questions related to the 1994 ISRO espionage case, Mr. Muthunayagam said.
The then Chairman of ISRO K. Kasturirangan, the director of the LPSC, had sidelined him and dealt with the espionage case directly with the Kerala Police. Cryogenic technology, which was at the center of controversy in the espionage case, was not even present in the LPSC at the time.
Dr. Muthunayagam said that Dr. Kasturirangan never discussed the details of the espionage case with him, but took administrative action against Mr. Narayanan and Mr. Sasikumaran, who were subordinate to him, Dr. Muthunayagam said.
“It is a matter of grave concern why the then Chairman of ISRO processed the case of espionage on non-existent cryogenic technology and initiated disciplinary proceedings against two senior officers of LPSC. Dr. Kasturirangan, the then Chairman of ISRO, could have clarified this very important issue,” said Dr. Muthunayagam.
Sreedharan Das, former Associate Director, LPSC; Sri Namboodiri, and Jayakumar Thomas, former Group Head, ISRO.