ISRO Scientist Valarmathi, Voice of Chandrayaan-3 Launch, Passes Away

NEW DELHI: Valarmathi, a renowned scientist from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), who was recognized for her iconic countdown announcements during rocket launches in Sriharikota, has tragically passed away due to a cardiac arrest. Her voice was last heard during the historic countdown announcement for the launch of Chandrayaan-3, which successfully achieved a monumental landing on the Moon.

Chandrayaan-3, India's lunar mission, embarked on its journey from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on July 14. It achieved a remarkable milestone on August 23 when the Lander Module (LM), consisting of the lander Vikram and the rover Pragyan, touched down on the lunar surface. This achievement marked India as the fourth country in the world to accomplish such a feat and notably, the first to reach the unexplored south pole of Earth's natural satellite.

However, recent updates from ISRO have revealed that the Pragyan rover has been temporarily put to sleep. ISRO has plans to reawaken it after a 14-day rest period. This rover is equipped with two essential payloads: the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) and the Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS). These scientific instruments are designed to analyze the elemental and mineralogical composition of the lunar soil and rocks.

Currently, the communication channels between the Pragyan rover and the Earth, facilitated by the lander Vikram, have been turned off. The Pragyan rover and Vikram lander have been working harmoniously to gather invaluable scientific data from the lunar surface.

However, the fate of the Pragyan rover now hangs in the balance. If the reawakening process does not succeed, the rover will remain on the Moon indefinitely, becoming a symbol of India's enduring presence on our nearest celestial neighbor. Valarmathi's passing has added a poignant dimension to this mission, as the nation mourns the loss of a scientist who played a significant role in sharing the excitement and achievement of India's space endeavors with the world.

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