Nasa’s private spacecraft, Odysseus, which is currently cruising towards the Moon is carrying a unique tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the fifth guru of the BAPS Swaminarayan organization.
The IM-1 mission is flying an etching on its surface developed by Relative Dynamics that honors the life and service of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, a Hindu spiritual leader who championed the universal human value of selfless service.
“Such a cultural engagement between nations and corporations allows for the development of shared values, efforts, and responsibility in the pursuit of space exploration,” Intuitive Missions said in an update.
The Odysseus spacecraft will attempt to land close to the South Pole of the Moon on February 22, aiming to be the first American mission to do so in over 50 years.
The lander carries a suite of six payloads for NASA under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, including scientific instruments to measure the plasma environment and provide data for future Artemis astronauts.
Additionally, it will test new technologies such as a LIDAR-based sensor for descent velocity and range sensing, and an electrostatic dust-removal system that could revolutionize spacesuit technology.
