Avalanche is expanding its horizons beyond finance into the realm of space, introducing a novel network for real-time verification of telescope data. SkyMapper's Avalanche-based network, known as SkyMapper L1, aggregates data from an array of telescopes and sensors worldwide, converting each observation into a secure digital record.
This process, dubbed 'Proof of Space Observation' (POSO), essentially verifies the authenticity of celestial events, ensuring the integrity of space data for scientists, businesses, and government agencies. The SETI Institute, renowned for its pursuit of extraterrestrial intelligence, is contributing real-time observational data, marking a significant integration of institutional science into a blockchain-based verification system.
SkyMapper addresses the pressing issue of data explosion from satellites, drones, and space missions, leveraging blockchain technology to create permanent, tamper-resistant records of observations. The system operates by validating observations at the moment of capture, cryptographically signing the data, and transmitting it through SkyMapper's infrastructure. Instead of relying on a central database, SkyMapper distributes the data across a decentralized storage network while saving a digital fingerprint on the Avalanche blockchain. This enables anyone to verify the authenticity of the data later.
The network utilizes smart contracts to organize and control access to the data, allowing for both private and public sharing of information. The outcome is a system where each observation can be independently verified, enabling users to confirm the source, integrity, and timestamp of the data.
According to Emin Gün Sirer, founder and CEO of Ava Labs, 'We're developing blockchain infrastructure for real-world impact. SkyMapper's work in anchoring observatory data on Avalanche demonstrates how this technology can transform science, providing tamper-proof, verifiable telescope records.'