SpaceChain Foundation advances Blockchain-based satellite network
The launch occurred on October 25 from China’s Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, using the Long March 4B launch vehicle. The node payload was delivered by the CZ-4B Launch Vehicle and entered its designated orbit where, says SpaceChain, it functions well in simple in-orbit testing.
The payload was a small satellite carrying SpaceChain OS – a smart operating system that performs blockchain-related functions on the Qtum blockchain network. The launch is aimed at testing the in-orbit functionality of the hardware and software, including the technical validation of blockchain-based encrypted data transmission in space.
By launching this node, says SpaceChain, it is implementing technical validation of blockchain-based encrypted data transmission in space and has begun testing the full in-orbit operational capabilities of the node. The launch of the node, says SpaceChain, is a significant step in realizing its vision of an open-source blockchain-based satellite network.
“The network is available to anyone, anywhere in the world, all the while remaining secure and immutable through proven blockchain cryptography,” says the foundation in a blog post announcing the launch. “In doing so, SpaceChain’s vision is to establish the underlying framework so that everyone can participate in space exploration and to advance global collaboration in space.”
Founded in 2017, SpaceChain launched its first low-earth-order Qtum blockchain satellite earlier this year, in February. Interested observers can track the movements of the second-generation blockchain node in orbit in real time.
