ISRO scientist whose voice was integral to rocket launches dies

Valarmathi's countdown for the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3, India’s third unmanned lunar mission, turned out to be the last. She died on the day Aditya L1 was launched.

The voice that was an integral part of the final countdown before launch vehicles blast off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota will never be heard again. N Valarmathi, the scientist behind the voice that had an imposing presence in a number of rocket launches, passed away Saturday night after suffering cardiac arrest.

Valarmathi, who was working with the Range Operations Programme Office at SDSC, used to do the countdowns for the launches at Sriharikota. At the count of 0 by Valarmathi, the rocket will soar into the skies – it is the countdown that announces to the viewers on television about the launch of the satellite. 

Her countdown for the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3, India’s third unmanned lunar mission, turned out to be the last. She died on the day Aditya L1 was launched. 

She had been doing the countdown for the past six years. 

Condolences poured in for Valarmathi’s death with scientists and others recalling her majestic voice. “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. Pranams,” Dr P V Venkitakrishnan, former ISRO scientist, wrote on X platform.

Union Minister of State Rajeev Chandrasekhar also tweeted: “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. Om Shanti.”