Tragic News: Valarmathi, the Voice of Chandrayaan 3 Countdown voice, Passes Away at age 64

In a somber development, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) mourns the loss of Valarmathi, a dedicated ISRO scientist, who breathed her last due to a sudden cardiac arrest on a sorrowful Sunday

The NewsflixsSeptember 4, 2023

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Voice of Chandrayaan 3

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Valarmathi was renowned for her integral role as the voice behind the countdown for rocket launches at the Sriharikota facility. Her final countdown echoed during the launch of India’s ambitious lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3, which took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center on July 14.

Chandrayaan-3 and Pragyan Rover’s Lunar Landing

On August 23, the Lander Module (LM) of Chandrayaan-3, comprising the Vikram Lander and the Pragyan Rover, made a historic lunar landing, marking India as the fourth nation to achieve this remarkable feat. The mission successfully reached the uncharted south pole of Earth’s celestial neighbor, the Moon. However, ISRO announced on a recent Saturday that the Pragyan rover on the lunar surface has been temporarily deactivated, with hopes of reactivation within the next 14 days.

Pragyan Rover’s Significant Role

The Pragyan Rover, equipped with two vital payloads – the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) and the Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) – has been instrumental in transmitting critical data to Earth through the lander. These payloads are designed to meticulously analyze the elemental and mineralogical composition of lunar soils and rocks, furthering our understanding of the Moon’s composition.

The Uncertain Fate of Pragyan Rover

As ISRO endeavors to reactivate the Pragyan rover, its fate hangs in the balance. Should it not be successfully awakened, the rover will forever remain a silent sentinel on the lunar surface, symbolizing India’s enduring presence on the Moon. A poignant reminder of Valarmathi’s contributions and the nation’s aspirations in space exploration.