Avalanche is expanding its reach beyond finance into the realm of space, introducing a novel network for real-time verification of telescope data. SkyMapper's dedicated Avalanche-based network utilizes cryptographic techniques to record observations from telescopes globally, converting each data point into a secure and verifiable digital record. This network, known as SkyMapper L1, aggregates data from a diverse range of telescopes and sensors worldwide, generating a secure digital record for each observation. The company refers to this process as 'Proof of Space Observation' (POSO), essentially a method to confirm the authenticity of a celestial event, including when it occurred and that the data remains unaltered.
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 verifying the vast amounts of data generated by satellites, drones, and space missions, which can be altered or misattributed. The team argues that blockchain technology can resolve this issue by creating a permanent and 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 through 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 allows anyone to verify the data's authenticity and integrity later.
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 openly.
The result is a system where each observation can be independently verified, enabling users to confirm when and where it was recorded, verify its integrity, and trace it back to its source. 'We're 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.'