Avalanche is expanding its reach beyond finance into the realm of space, with the introduction of a novel network designed to verify telescope data in real-time. SkyMapper's dedicated Avalanche-based network utilizes cryptographic techniques to record observations from telescopes worldwide, converting each data point into a secure and tamper-proof digital record. This innovative network, known as SkyMapper L1, aggregates data from a diverse array of telescopes and sensors globally, generating a secure digital record for each observation. The company refers to this process as 'Proof of Space Observation' (POSO), which essentially validates the occurrence of a specific celestial event, including the time of observation and the integrity of the data.
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 challenge of verifying the authenticity of data from satellites, drones, and space missions.
By leveraging blockchain technology, the team creates a permanent and tamper-resistant record of each observation, allowing for independent verification. The system functions by validating observations at the moment of capture, cryptographically signing the data, and transmitting it through SkyMapper's infrastructure. Instead of storing all data in a centralized database, SkyMapper distributes it across a decentralized storage network while saving a digital fingerprint of the data on the Avalanche blockchain.
This fingerprint enables users to verify the authenticity and integrity of the data. The network employs 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 publicly.
The outcome is a system where each observation can be independently verified, allowing users to confirm the time and location of recording, verify the data's integrity, and trace it back to its source.