By
Chimamanda U. Martha
December 6th, 2023
In early 2024, NASA, along with Florida-based startup Lonestar and the Isle of Man, plans to send a payload to the Moon containing “data cubes” whose contents will be authenticated using blockchain technology when they return to Earth.
In February 2024, the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), in collaboration with Lonestar, a Florida-based computing startup, and the Isle of Man, is set to dispatch a payload to the Moon. This payload will carry “data cubes” whose contents will be authenticated using blockchain technology upon return to Earth. The successful application of this blockchain technology will conclusively and irrefutably confirm the human Moon landing during NASA’s forthcoming second crewed mission, Artemis 3, scheduled for 2025.
Suit Up!
Today, the #Artemis II crew and @NASAGroundSys successfully conducted a launch day demonstration. The demo included test spacesuits, a ride to Launch Complex 39B, and going up the mobile launcher to the crew access arm white room.https://t.co/vHl28fVSYR pic.twitter.com/7ed1hGvvy4
— NASA's Kennedy Space Center (@NASAKennedy) September 20, 2023
In November 2024, NASA’s Artemis mission will progress to its second phase with the launch of Artemis 2. Although this mission will have a crew of four astronauts, their journey will entail departing from Earth, orbiting the Moon, and subsequently returning to Earth. While it doesn’t involve a lunar surface landing, Artemis 2 serves as the conclusive preparatory mission before the U.S. Government proceeds with Artemis 3, which involves placing humans on the Moon’s surface once again.
Pioneering Long-Term Lunar Storage Systems
Within the framework of the Artemis missions, Lonestar, in collaboration with the Isle of Man, is spearheading the development of enduring lunar storage systems that harness solar energy and necessitate no additional infrastructure for installation.
As reported by BBC’s Science Focus, the experiment involves the creation of digital stamps, known as “digital franking”. The storage of the digital stamps will happen within the lunar data cubes. After their deployment, blockchain technology will further verify the completeness and integrity of the data.
An intriguing byproduct of the blockchain’s immutable nature is that future lunar astronauts could utilize these data cubes to essentially confirm their presence on the Moon. The authentication of interactions shall happen via the blockchain. This would potentially dispel any conspiracy theories surrounding upcoming Moon landings.
In an interview with Science Focus, the Head of Innovation at Digital Isle of Man highlighted the surprising difficulty NASA faced in refuting claims that it had fabricated the six crewed Moon landings that occurred between 1969 and 1972.
While the blockchain may not have the power to completely debunk conspiracy theories related to 20th-century lunar landings, it will serve as an incontrovertible record for future human Moon explorations. With this mission, blockchain is likely to find a strong footing in future space missions.