Beyond the realm of finance, Avalanche is now venturing into space with a novel network designed to verify telescope data in real-time. SkyMapper's Avalanche-based network, known as SkyMapper L1, collects data from various telescopes and sensors worldwide, converting each observation into a secure digital record. This process, termed 'Proof of Space Observation' (POSO), provides indisputable evidence of celestial events, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of space data for scientists, businesses, and government agencies.
The SETI Institute is contributing live observational data, marking a significant integration of institutional science into a blockchain-based verification system. The system tackles the growing issue of data explosion from satellites, drones, and space missions by utilizing blockchain to create a permanent, tamper-resistant record of each observation. This record can be independently verified by anyone, addressing concerns of data alteration or misattribution.
The process involves validating observations at the moment of capture, followed by cryptographic signing, time-stamping, and transmission through SkyMapper's infrastructure. Instead of relying on a central database, the data is dispersed across a decentralized storage network, with a digital fingerprint saved on the Avalanche blockchain for later verification. The network leverages smart contracts to organize and control access to the data, allowing for both private and public sharing of information. The outcome is a system where each observation can be verified independently, enabling users to confirm the authenticity and source of the data.
According to Emin Gün Sirer, founder and CEO of Ava Labs, 'We're building blockchain infrastructure for real-world impact. SkyMapper's work anchoring observatory data on Avalanche demonstrates how this technology can transform science, providing tamper-proof, verifiable telescope records.'