Scientist Valarmathi Obituary: Valarmathi, the iconic voice of rocket launch countdowns and a scientist at the Indian Space and Research Organisation (ISRO), passed away on Saturday, nearly two months after her last assignment, the Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission launch.
Saturday evening in Chennai, Valarmathi, 64, perished of a heart attack, according to reports.
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Former ISRO Director PV Venkitakrishnan expressed his condolences on X, formerly Twitter, by writing, ”The voice of Valarmathi Madam will not be heard for the countdowns of future ISRO missions from Sriharikotta. The countdown to Chandrayan 3 was her final announcement. An unanticipated death. Feel so depressed.
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! pic.twitter.com/T9cMQkLU6J
— Dr. P V Venkitakrishnan (@DrPVVenkitakri1) September 3, 2023
Ms. Valarmathi, a native of Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu, was born on July 31, 1959. She attended Nirmala Girls Higher Secondary School before graduating from the Government College of Technology in Coimbatore with a degree in engineering.
Social media was flooded with tributes to Ms. Valarmathi.
One user wrote, ”I am so sorry to learn of the passing of Valarmathi Madam. Her voice will be greatly missed at every inauguration, as she was an inspiration to many. “Om Shanti”
Scientist Valarmathi Obituary
Another user commented, ”I noted her absence during the #AdityaL1 launch. I assumed she was out of the office or otherwise unavailable. But I was unprepared for this sorrowful news. I will truly mourn her. “Om Shanti”
A third said, ”Very, very sorry to hear this. We collaborated closely with her on our Vikram-S launch last year, for which she provided the countdown vocal.
Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar also posted about her passing, writing, “Saddened to learn of the passing of N Valarmathi ji, the voice behind numerous ISRO launch countdowns, including Chandrayaan 3.” My sympathies go out to her family and acquaintances. “Om Shanti”
