Pune: India mourns the loss of a brilliant mind as Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientist N Valarmathi, known for her iconic voice during rocket launch countdowns, passed away in Chennai recently.
According to a tweet from Dr. P V Venkitakrishnan, former ISRO Director, “The voice of Valarmathi Madam will not be there for the countdowns of future missions of ISRO from Sriharikota. Chandrayaan 3 was her final countdown announcement. An unexpected demise. Feel so sad. Pranam!”
Valarmathi, hailing from Ariyalur in Tamil Nadu, tragically suffered a heart attack, marking the end of an era. Her last spacecraft countdown was for Chandrayaan 3, launched on July 14, which achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the first in the world to successfully land on the Moon’s south pole.
In addition to her accomplishments in the field of space exploration, Valarmathi received the Abdul Kalam Award on August 15, 2015, becoming the first person to be honored with this prestigious award.
The passing of N Valarmathi is a significant loss for ISRO and the scientific community, leaving a void that will be hard to fill. Her contributions to space missions and her iconic voice during rocket launch countdowns have left an indelible mark on India’s space exploration journey.
