The American private Nova-C lunar lander named Odysseus (“Odysseus”), built by Intuitive Machines and launched into orbit aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, has sent back the first images taken against Earth. This was reported by the resource Space.com.

“Intuitive Machines successfully transmitted its first images from the IM-1 mission to Earth on February 16, 2024. “The images were taken shortly after separation from @SpaceX’s second stage during Intuitive Machines’ first lunar flight as part of the @NASA CLPS initiative.” – says the University of Houston’s announcement.

The CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) program aims to implement the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Artemis lunar program, which involves landing astronauts on the Moon and establishing a base on the Earth’s natural surface. satellite.

As part of the ongoing IM-1 mission, Odyssey will conduct six NASA technology experiments and demonstrations using existing devices, including the Laser Retroreflector Array, LN-1 Demonstration Radio Navigation Beacon, Doppler Leader, SCALPSS Stereo Camera, and RF. ROLSE.

Additionally, Odyssey has six special payloads, including a removable Eaglecam camera that will be dropped from a height of 30 m to film the module docking process, two ILO-X cameras for the International Lunar Observatory, and the transmission of Lonestar’s DRaaS experiment. Data from Earth. for storage and backing, a sculptural composition featuring the phases of the moon, and Columbia’s heat-resistant material to protect cryogenic tanks.

Nova-C is planned to land on the Moon on February 22. If successful, this would be the first landing of an American vehicle on a natural satellite of the Earth in 52 years.