Avalanche is expanding its reach into space with a novel network designed to verify telescope data in real-time. SkyMapper's Avalanche-based network, SkyMapper L1, collects and secures data from a wide range of global telescopes and sensors, creating a 'Proof of Space Observation' (POSO) that proves the authenticity and integrity of each observation. This verified data can be utilized by scientists, businesses, and government agencies requiring reliable space data.
The SETI Institute is contributing live observational data, marking a significant production-scale integration of institutional science into a blockchain-based verification system. SkyMapper aims to address the growing issue of verifying the vast amounts of data from satellites, drones, and space missions by leveraging blockchain technology to create permanent, tamper-resistant records. The system validates observations in real-time, creating a unique fingerprint for each device, and then timestamps and transmits the data through SkyMapper's infrastructure.
Instead of relying on a central database, SkyMapper distributes the data across a decentralized storage network while saving a digital fingerprint on the Avalanche blockchain. This allows anyone to verify the authenticity and integrity of the data. The network utilizes smart contracts to manage incoming data, control access, and maintain the privacy of sensitive information.
The result is a system that enables independent verification of each observation, allowing users to confirm the origin, integrity, and timestamp of the data. According to Emin Gün Sirer, founder and CEO of Ava Labs, 'We're building blockchain infrastructure for real-world impact, and SkyMapper's work demonstrates how this technology can transform science by providing tamper-proof, verifiable telescope records.'