Indian Space and Research Organization (ISRO) scientist Valarmathi, the iconic voice of the rocket launch countdown, died on Saturday almost two months after the launch of his last assignment – the Chandrayaan-3 moon mission.
According to reports, 64-year-old Valarmathi suffered a heart attack and died in Chennai on Saturday evening.
Former ISRO director PV Venkitkrishnan took to Twitter earlier to condole her death and wrote,” 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!”
Ms. Valarmathi, who hails from Ariyalur of Tamil Nadu, was born on July 31, 1959. She went to Nirmala Girls Higher Secondary School before graduating in engineering from the Government College of Technology, Coimbatore.
The scientist joined ISRO in 1984 and played an important role in numerous missions.
