TL;DR
- SERA launches an astronaut selection program. Through a collaboration with Base, seats will be offered for a space mission with Blue Origin through digital collectibles.
- The mission reserves six seats for various countries, including nations with limited space representation, and one seat open to any individual.
- Blockchain technology will be used to create a transparent and participatory selection process, allowing space enthusiasts to vote and aspire to become astronauts.
The Space Exploration & Research Agency (SERA) continues to advance in promoting greater inclusion in space exploration. It has announced an innovative astronaut selection program. Through a partnership with Base, the Ethereum platform incubated at Coinbase,
SERA will offer citizens worldwide the opportunity to participate in a space mission with Blue Origin, using an open edition of digital collectibles as entry to this historic competition.
The program, part of Base’s Onchain Summer, will allow interested individuals to mint three digital collectibles, which will serve as tickets to enter the competition for a seat on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket.
This mission will mark a significant milestone for the space industry, reserving six seats for people from various countries. Of these, five will be allocated to nations with little or no representation in space, including India, Nigeria, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The sixth seat will be available to an individual from any country. This will be the first time a Nigerian participates in a space flight.
The initiative aims to give a fresh face to the space industry and generate broader public interest, making it more accessible and democratic. Currently, around 80% of operational space infrastructure is controlled by just three countries, and most astronauts come from these nations.
Base and SERA Use Blockchain to Select Astronauts
SERA intends to change this dynamic by using blockchain technology to foster a more transparent and participatory environment. This will allow people to self-organize in a decentralized manner and actively participate in the selection of future astronauts.
The goal of the initiative is to involve a global community of space enthusiasts, allowing them not only to participate in the astronaut selection but also to aspire to become one. The minted digital collectibles will grant access to SERA’s astronaut selection program once activated, enabling participants to gain community votes to secure a place on the mission.
In recent statements, Joshua Skurla, co-founder of SERA, emphasized the importance of building a more inclusive space ecosystem to foster scientific innovation. Jesse Pollak, creator of Base, also expressed enthusiasm about how the Ethereum platform is facilitating access to the global on-chain economy.
Additional information about the mission and partners will be announced in the coming months. Interested parties can visit the mint collection website and sign up for updates on the SERA program
