Produced by: Tarun Mishra
The private spacecraft Odysseus, launched by NASA, is enroute to the Moon, carrying a special tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the fifth guru of the BAPS Swaminarayan organization.
The IM-1 mission features an etching on its surface honouring Pramukh Swami Maharaj, showcasing a unique cultural collaboration between nations and corporations in the pursuit of space exploration.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj, born in Gujarat in 1921, played a pivotal role in expanding the BAPS organization's activities globally, emphasizing Hindu principles and the teachings of Swaminarayan.
Under his leadership, BAPS extended its reach into various sectors including education, healthcare, social services, and humanitarian efforts, garnering widespread respect for promoting religious harmony and community service.
Scheduled to land near the Moon's South Pole on February 22, the Odysseus spacecraft aims to achieve a significant milestone as the first American mission to land in the area in over five decades.
The lander carries six payloads for NASA under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, including instruments to measure the plasma environment and provide crucial data for future Artemis missions.
Additionally, the mission will test innovative technologies such as a LIDAR-based sensor for descent velocity and range sensing, along with an electrostatic dust-removal system with potential applications in spacesuit technology.
The inclusion of Pramukh Swami Maharaj's tribute on the Odysseus spacecraft underscores the significance of cultural collaboration in advancing space exploration efforts, highlighting shared values, efforts, and responsibilities among nations and corporations alike.