Second attempt to make history: a private lunar module has sent back images of Earth from space (photos).

In February 2024, the American company Intuitive Machines made history by successfully landing its private lunar lander Nova-C, named Odysseus. On February 26, the second Nova-C lander from this company, called Athena, was launched into space aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. If everything goes as planned, Intuitive Machines will be recognized as the company that managed to land two of its landers on the Moon. The Athena spacecraft has sent back some stunning photographs of our home planet from space, reports Space.

The Nova-C lander from Intuitive Machines is part of the IM-2 mission, while last year’s successful mission was called IM-1. Shortly after the Athena module separated from the upper stage of the Falcon 9 rocket and began its journey to the Moon, it captured images of Earth from space using its onboard camera. In one of the photos, the upper stage of the SpaceX rocket can be seen in the distance from the module, having successfully fulfilled its purpose.

If you take a closer look at the photograph, you can spot bright points of light near the spent rocket stage. These are likely the NASA Lunar Trailblazer orbiter and the Odin probe, built by Astroforge, which were launched into space alongside the lunar lander.

Intuitive Machines has reported that the IM-2 mission is progressing well so far. The lander has started receiving energy from the Sun and has established stable communication with the mission control center.

Next, the module must perform a series of engine burns to enter orbit around the Moon on March 3, and then land on its surface three days later.

The primary payload of the private lander Athena is the PRIME-1 device, which consists of a mass spectrometer and a drill for penetrating the Moon's crust. This device is intended to help scientists determine the amount of water ice present on the Moon's surface in the area of the south pole, where the lander will touch down.

Additionally, the module carries a hopping robotic device named Grace, created by Intuitive Machines, which will explore the crater near the landing site of Athena, along with a small lunar rover MAPP from Lunar Outpost.