ISRO scientist N Valarmathi, who was the voice behind ISRO's countdown announcements, has passed away unexpectedly. Valarmathi's last announcement was Chandrayaan-3.
Valarmathi, a native of Tamil Nadu's Ariyalur, reportedly passed away on Saturday evening due to a heart attack in Chennai. She was 64.
The death was announced by former ISRO director Dr P V Venkitakrishnan. "The voice of Valarmathi Madam will not be there for the countdowns of future missions of ISRO from Sriharikotta. Chandrayan 3 was her final countdown announcement. An unexpected demise. Feel so sad. Pranams!", his post on social media platform X read.
Valarmathi, who joined ISRO in 1984, was also the project director of RISAT-1, India's first indigenously developed Radar Imaging Satellite (RIS) and the country's second such satellite, which was successfully launched in April 2012.
She has also participated in several missions of the space agency and was also the recipient of the prestigious Abdul Kalam Award, instituted by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 2015.
Many took to social media to pay condolences to the late ISRO scientist. "I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Valarmathi Madam. She was a true inspiration to many, and her voice will be missed during every launch. Om Shanti.''
"The voice of Valarmathi Madam will no longer grace the countdowns of future ISRO missions from Sriharikotta. Her final countdown announcement was for Chandrayaan 3. Her unexpected passing brings deep sadness," one commented.
Another user posted, ''I noticed her absence during the #AdityaL1 launch. I thought she might be out of the office or something. But I didn't expect this sad news. I'll really miss her. Om Shanti.''
