History changed on October 4, 1957 when the Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik I – the world’s first artificial satellite in to the orbit. Now a team from the Aerospace International Research Centre (AIRC) have announced plans for Asgardia, the first ever space nation since 1957 at a press conference in Paris.
The project which is being led by Dr Igor Ashurbeyli, one of the Russian Federation’s scientists and founder of the AIRC, Vienna and is expected to come into action in the autumn of 2017.
The project will mark a new era in the Space Age as the satellite will be independent of any current nation state on Earth. The satellite will comprise of a nation itself, creating its own legal framework, flag and other symbols on nationhood.
‘Asgardia is a fully-fledged and independent nation, and a future member of the United Nations – with all the attributes this status entails: a government and embassies, a flag, a national anthem and insignia and so on,’ said Ashurbeyli at the conference.
Ashurbeyli further went on to explain how the project aims to develop a new legal platform for countries and companies to explore, mine and research on. With a focus on building a free, open-access base of knowledge, they intend on helping less developed countries get off ground.
‘Asgardia will demonstrate to scientists throughout the world that independent, private and unrestricted research is possible,’ read their official website.
This project is open for wide participation from all interested scientists and companies. The common public is invited to participate as well.
One is required to apply on the Asgardia website if he/she wishes to become to the first citizens of space. The first 100,000 applicants will be given special preference.
‘Asgardia - named in honor of an ancient mythological city in the skies - will offer an independent platform free from the constraint of a land-based country’s laws. It will become a place it in orbit which is truly ‘no man's land,’ a post on their official website read.
