Avalanche is expanding its reach beyond the financial sector and into the cosmos, with the introduction of a novel network designed to verify telescope data in real-time. SkyMapper's innovative Avalanche-based network utilizes cryptographic techniques to record observations from telescopes worldwide, transforming each data point into a secure and verifiable digital record. This network, known as SkyMapper L1, aggregates data from a diverse array of telescopes and sensors globally, converting each observation into a secure digital record.
The company refers to this process as 'Proof of Space Observation' (POSO), essentially a method to prove the authenticity of a celestial event, including the time of occurrence and data integrity. These verified records can be utilized by scientists, businesses, or government agencies requiring reliable space data. The SETI Institute, renowned for its search for extraterrestrial intelligence, is contributing real-time observational data, marking one of the first large-scale integrations of institutional science into a blockchain-based verification system.
SkyMapper's solution addresses the growing issue of data explosion from satellites, drones, and space missions, and the challenges associated with verifying the integrity of this data. The team proposes that blockchain technology can help mitigate this issue by creating a permanent, tamper-resistant record of each observation that can be independently verified by anyone. The system operates 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 via SkyMapper's infrastructure. Instead of storing all 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 verify the authenticity and integrity of the data later. The network leverages smart contracts to validate 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 result 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. 'We are building blockchain infrastructure for real-world impact,' said Emin Gün Sirer, founder and CEO of Ava Labs. 'SkyMapper's work anchoring observatory data on Avalanche demonstrates how this technology can transform science, providing tamper-proof, verifiable telescope records.'