Indian Space and Research Organisation (ISRO) scientist N Valarmathi, whose voice could be heard performing the countdown for the launch of several ISRO missions, has died at the age of 64, reportedly from a heart attack.
“Saddened to hear about the passing of N Valarmathi ji, the voice behind many ISRO launch countdowns, including Chandrayaan-3. My condolences to her family and friends,” federal Minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar tweeted on Monday.
India's Minister Earth Sciences, Kiren Rijiju, also took to X (formerly Twitter) and expressed his condolences over the physicist's death.
Valarmathi was born in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the Chandrayaan-3 launch countdown was the last she performed.
Mourning her death, Dr PV Venkitakrishnan, a former director at ISRO, said on X: “Valarmathi Madam's voice will no longer be there for the countdowns of future ISRO missions from Sriharikota. Chandrayaan-3 was her final countdown. An unexpected death. Feel so sad. Pranams!”