Magazine BEAST #15 2019

#Science | Space
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And while commercialized space projects have
braved through all the challenges, they are still
tied to conventional economic models that may
hamper the type of development that we’ve seen
in other data and hardware systems. All of these
issues hinder space exploration and technology
innovation. SpaceChain is pushing for a world
where developers can openly innovate with spacebased
technology at very low costs creating things
that we have not yet imagined.
What is the aim of the « SpaceChain » Node that
your company launched in the space on October
25, 2018?
Our second space node that was launched in
October 2018 is a proof of concept platform for
testing transactions and hardware capabilities.
Through the SpaceChain OS system, each node can
host multiple applications secured by a blockchainsupported
sandbox.
What are the latest progress / innovation
of SpaceChain?
Recently SpaceChain has expanded its operations
to the United Kingdom to leverage Europe’s
advanced space technologies and to drive
economic development through SpaceChain’s
satellite infrastructure and blockchain technology.
SpaceChain UK Limited will be based in Harwell,
Oxfordshire at the Satellite Applications Catapult
(SAC), an independent innovation and technology
company created by Innovate UK. SpaceChain has
already partnered with several UK-based companies,
including: Open Cosmos, a microsatellite platform
designed to manage the process of bringing satellite
services to businesses; NanoAvionics,
a nanosatellite mission integrator
that delivers new generation
satellite buses and propulsion
systems; and Alba Orbital, a pioneer
in the development of PocketQube
satellites.
As for hardware and software, our team
completed the first space-based multi
signature Qtum transaction earlier
this year and we continue to develop
our technology stack. We are
working on integrating
new blockchains with
our operating system
and we are planning our
next launch.
How do you see the future of SpaceChain?
What are your ambitions for the years to come?
Satellites in space traditionally have a single owner and
perform a single function. This is very stifling from a business
perspective. However, the use of blockchain technology
with the revolutionary SpaceChain OS changes this.
Take for example your smartphone. It ships with a preinstalled
OS that enables all kinds of applications to run.
The smart phone also has a sandbox that keeps all the
applications separated from one another.
Similarly, SpaceChain has created smart hardware that
can be installed onto satellites with SpaceChain OS. The
universal space OS converts single-operator satellites into
multi-tenant ones, while the blockchain provides a highly
secure sandbox between multiple space applications. That
way, users will be able to develop different types of spacebased
applications on a single satellite, maximizing the
efficiency from this expensive resource.
SpaceChain OS also enables compatibility between
SpaceChain’s hardware and various applications that
developers are developing and/or using. It acts as a
bridge that lets both participants in the space arena and
SpaceChain “speak” to each other in order to advance to
the next stage. Developers can create applications using
the environment provided by SpaceChain OS, as it greatly
lowers the difficulty of developing space applications while
putting the resources, i.e. infrastructure, to best use.
Best of all, this network is open-source. This means
anyone, from an aerospace university student to a software
developer, can write an application and load it onto a
SpaceChain satellite network. This system of operation
is more affordable compared to a decade ago where a
single entity had to buy, operate and launch the entire
satellite into space in order to develop space applications.
The economics of this offers an ideal environment for many
new use cases and endless possibilities.
Finally, how does the future look in the field
of space and blockchain?
True advancements can only come from a community
comprised of software and hardware developers, investors,
space tech enthusiasts and professionals. Together on
SpaceChain’s decentralized platform, they can contribute
to the space industry. SpaceChain’s vision has always
been that of open access and collaboration to foster the
development of an entire ecosystem that would connect
millions of businesses, developers and consumers, as well as
open up new businesses and socio-economic models that
seemed impossible before.
BEAST MAGAZINE #15