NASA On A Chain: Ethereum Blockchain To Support Space Exploration

Blockchain technology offers individuals and companies a method of storage and security beyond what was previously available. It’s being put to increasingly experimental purposes such as medical apparatus, transportation, including for automated cars.

But with a recent announcement, space will be within the grasp of this technology, especially for Ethereum. National Aeronautics and Space Association has stated that it wants to use the Ethereum blockchain for its deep space missions.

Ether in the Stars – NASA to use Ethereum Blockchain

The project, referred to as the Resilient Networking and Computing Paradigm seeks to use the technology. This is to improve existing navigation and communication systems on NASA spacecraft. In a statement from the project’s leader, Dr Jin Wei Kocsis, the technology will see greater self-sufficiency of missions.

“I hope to develop technology that can recognise environmental threats and avoid them, as well as complete some tasks automatically.”

The intention is to decentralise communications within the craft, allowing missions to be undertaken with greater autonomy. It would also let the craft be more responsive to external threats such as space debris without time-consuming relays of communication.

“In this project, the Ethereum blockchain technology will be exploited to develop a decentralised, secure, and cognitive networking and computing infrastructure for deep space exploration. The blockchain consensus protocols will be further explored to improve the resilience of the infrastructure.”

Spacecraft that can think

The project has since received a $330,000 grant from NASA in order to make the technology a reality. The success of this would not only mean deeper space missions may be possible. But that blockchain has a potential that we have only tapped into a fraction of compared to what it’s capable of.