Avalanche is expanding its reach beyond finance into the realm of space, introducing a network designed to verify telescope data in real-time. SkyMapper's dedicated Avalanche-based network, known as SkyMapper L1, gathers data from a diverse range of global telescopes and sensors, converting each observation into a secure digital record. This process, termed 'Proof of Space Observation' (POSO), essentially verifies that a specific celestial event occurred, providing a tamper-proof record of the observation. These verified records can be utilized by scientists, businesses, and government agencies requiring reliable space data.
The SETI Institute, renowned for its search for extraterrestrial intelligence, is contributing live observational data, marking a significant production-scale integration of institutional science into a blockchain-based verification system. SkyMapper addresses the growing issue of data explosion from satellites, drones, and space missions, highlighting the difficulty in verifying data integrity. The team proposes that blockchain technology can resolve this by creating a permanent, tamper-resistant record of each observation that can be independently verified by anyone. The system functions by validating observations at the moment of capture.
When a network telescope records an event, such as a satellite pass or deep-space signal, the data is immediately cryptographically signed, creating a unique device-tied fingerprint. The observation is then time-stamped and transmitted through SkyMapper's infrastructure.
Instead of storing data in a central database, SkyMapper distributes it across a decentralized storage network while saving a digital fingerprint of the data on the Avalanche blockchain. This fingerprint enables anyone to later verify the data's authenticity and integrity.
The network utilizes smart contracts to check incoming data, organize it, and control access. Certain information, such as sensitive government or defense data, can be kept private, while other data, like scientific research, can be shared openly. The outcome is a system where each observation can be independently verified, allowing users to confirm the recording time and location, verify the data's integrity, and trace it back to its source.
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.'