Avalanche is expanding its reach into space with a novel network designed to verify telescope data in real-time. SkyMapper has launched a dedicated Avalanche-based network that cryptographically records telescope observations globally, transforming each data point into a secure and verifiable digital record. The network, known as SkyMapper L1, aggregates data from various telescopes and sensors worldwide and converts each observation into a secure digital record, which the company refers to as a "Proof of Space Observation" (POSO).
This essentially proves that a specific celestial event occurred, when it happened, 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 is contributing real-time observational data, marking one of the first large-scale integrations of institutional science into a blockchain-based verification system.
SkyMapper addresses a growing concern: the exponential growth of data from satellites, drones, and space missions, and the challenge of verifying its integrity. The team argues that blockchain technology can help solve this issue 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 fingerprint tied to that device.
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 that data on the Avalanche blockchain. This fingerprint allows 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, like sensitive government or defense data, can be kept private, while other data, such as scientific research, can be shared openly.
The result is a system where each observation can be independently verified: users can check when and where it was recorded, confirm it hasn't been tampered with, 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."