K Valarmathi, voice behind Chandrayaan-3 and many other ISRO launch countdowns, passes away

Valarmathi, 64, was a part of the launch of the DS-SAR remote sensing satellite on board the PSLV C56 rocket on July 30 and the July 14 launch of the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft on the LVM3 rocket.

K Valarmathi was the voice behind several ISRO launches. (Photo: Rajeev Chandrasekhar/ X)

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K Valarmathi, 64, who was the voice behind the countdowns for various launches of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), including the recent Chandrayaan-3 mission, has passed away.

ISRO officials confirmed the scientist’s death and said she had been responsible for the countdowns for numerous launches by the space agency at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. Valarmathi reportedly died of a heart attack.

She was a part of the launch of the DS-SAR remote sensing satellite on board the PSLV C56 rocket on July 30 and the July 14 launch of the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft on the LVM3 rocket.

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“The PSLV 56 mission (on July 30) was probably the last time she counted down a launch at Sriharikota. These countdowns need technically qualified scientists,” an ISRO official said.

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

“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!” former ISRO scientist and director P V Venkitakrishnan said on social media.

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