SpaceChain sends blockchain tech to ISS

Above: The International Space Station (ISS).
Image By Sebastian Kaulitzki / © Shutterstock

This is the first technology demonstration of  blockchain hardware on the ISS, and it will be installed in Nanoracks' commercial platform on Station. Today marks the third blockchain payload launched into space by SpaceChain in the past two years, advancing SpaceChain's vision of a decentralized orbital constellation for fintech and business applications. This ISS demonstration mission was made possible via Nanoracks and their Space Act agreement with NASA.

Once activated, the payload will demonstrate the receipt, authorization, and retransmission of blockchain transactions, creating "multisig" transactions which require multiple signatures (approvals) to complete, increasing the security of the operation. All data will be both uplinked and downlinked directly through Nanoracks' commercial platform. SpaceChain's implementation adds the remoteness and security of space infrastructure to blockchain technology to lay the foundation for a new generation of products built on its technology.

This milestone underscores SpaceChain's commitment to addressing land-based centralized infrastructure concerns, while accelerating technology advancement, international collaboration, and adoption of space-as-a-service for modern businesses.

Earlier this year, SpaceChain was awarded funding by the European Space Agency (ESA) under its Kick-start Activity program, to further develop and identify commercial use-cases for its satellite blockchain technology. By adding space-based payloads to established networks, businesses will be able to enhance the security of the transmission of digital assets that can be vulnerable to cyberattacks and hacking when hosted exclusively in centralized terrestrial servers.

"The third payload launch is a significant milestone not just for SpaceChain but also toward the development of the New Space Economy," said Zee Zheng, SpaceChain co-founder and CEO. "The integration of space and blockchain technologies has uncovered new possibilities and opportunities and we are very excited about the prospect of working closely with financial service providers and fintech developers, IoT service providers, research institutions and space agencies in the coming months to further accelerate advancements within the ecosystem."

"Blockchain is the next major disruptor in space," said Jeff Garzik, SpaceChain co-founder and CTO. "SpaceChain addresses security vulnerabilities for financial systems and digital assets in the growing digital economy. Through integrating technologies, new paradigms that were once beyond reach can now be created and add exciting elements in the New Space Economy."

SpaceChain expects the testing of this payload to be completed by early 2020.

Founded in 2017, SpaceChain is a community-based space platform that combines space and blockchain technologies to build the world's first open-source blockchain-based satellite network, allowing users to develop and run applications in space.

SpaceChain's decentralized technology is a catalyst for the creation of the New Space Economy, by making the development of space applications easier and making space more accessible. It enables innovation for a number of industries, and its first application will be space-based multisig technology for financial services. 

SpaceChain UK is the brainchild of SpaceChain, which is building the world’s first open-source blockchain-based satellite network to enable a next-generation infrastructure for the blockchain industry.

Within the first year of its operations, SpaceChain launched two blockchain-enabled satellite payloads into space. In November 2018, SpaceChain started business in the United Kingdom to further explore opportunities in Europe’s commercial space ecosystem.

Based in Harwell, Oxfordshire, SpaceChain UK leverages UK’s world-leading position in technology development and taps on resources from renowned universities, such as Cambridge, Oxford, University College London, London School of Economics and Imperial College London. SpaceChain UK contributes important expertise in space technology research and development, which are vital to SpaceChain’s missions and launches.