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 global telescopes, converting each data point into a secure digital record. This network, known as SkyMapper L1, aggregates data from various telescopes and sensors worldwide, generating a secure digital record for each observation. The company refers to this process as 'Proof of Space Observation' (POSO), which essentially verifies the occurrence of a specific celestial event, including the time of observation 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 a significant production-scale integration of institutional science into a blockchain-based verification system. SkyMapper's solution addresses the growing issue of verifying the authenticity of data from satellites, drones, and space missions. By leveraging blockchain technology, the team creates a permanent, tamper-resistant record of each observation that can be independently verified by anyone.
The system operates by validating observations in real-time, cryptographically signing the data, and transmitting it through SkyMapper's infrastructure. Instead of storing 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 data's authenticity and integrity at a later time. The network employs smart contracts to organize and control access to incoming data, allowing sensitive information to be kept private while sharing scientific research openly. The outcome is a system where each observation can be independently verified, enabling users to confirm the time and location of recording, verify the data's integrity, and trace it back to its source.
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.'