A team of scientist , lawyer , philosophers , and entrepreneur have joined force in the hopes of establishing the mankind ’s first independent “ space nation ” .
The labor plans to launch their first of many satellites as early as Autumn 2017.In hypothesis , the nation will have no territorial soil mass , but alternatively will consist of a mesh of orbiting satellites with their own laws , governance , and regulative torso .
DubbedAsgardia , after the mythological metropolis of the skies rule by Norse god Odin , they hope to seek official condition as a nation from the United Nations . Whether they will ( or even can ) find this position remain to be seen .
The plans were announced on October 12 at a live - streamed mechanical press conference in Paris . Project loss leader Dr Igor Ashurbeyli seemed very mindful the plans could be dismiss as “ crazy , ” but amid some misanthropical questioning from journalists , he outlined the concept behind the deputation .
“ The perfume of Asgardia is repose in space , and the prevention of Earth ’s battle being reassign into space , ” Dr Ashurbeyli read at the press league .
“ Asgardia is also alone from a philosophic aspect – to serve entire human beings and each and everyone , irrespective of his or her personal eudaimonia and the prosperity of the nation where they happened to be born . ”
If established , they ideate Asgardia could be used as a platform for the exploration of our Solar System and even deep space . They also revealed loose architectural plan to build a “ shell against cosmic hazard ” , such as meteorite and outer space junk . They did impart , though , it would otherwise not step in with the business of Earth - bond nation , and vice versa .
So far , the task has been fund alone through the private store of those solve on the project . However , they have plan to crowdfund and approach investors to strengthen their lacuna . Initially , they will accept 100,000 people to become penis of the would - be nation of Asgardia . you could even lend oneself to become a citizen onthe project ’s internet site , which has a " .space " field name , of course .
“ As blue - world orbit becomes more approachable , what ’s often called the ' democratization ' of space , a nerve pathway is opening up to unexampled idea and overture from a productive multifariousness of participants , ” Professor David Alexander , Director of the Rice Space Institute at Rice University in Texas , told the imperativeness conference .
“ The missionary work of Asgardia to create chance for panoptic access to space , enable non - traditional space nations to realise their scientific aspirations , is exciting . ”
Screenshot of Dr Igor Ashurbeyli speaking at printing press conference in Paris on 12 October
Such an ambitious plan has many vault to overcome and is surrounded by many " if and buts " . For one , it seems overly affirmative they will be capable to obtain nation status from the UN , let alone by 2017 . It was also questioned that the task will call for an Earthly Carry Amelia Moore Nation country to host its orbiter launch , although they did explain they would take the help of other land ’s infinite agency in the short term .
what is more , the legality and politics of the projection is meaningless if they do n’t have the money , technological capability , or virtual mean value of in reality getting to quad .
“ Is it madness ? Call it what you will , and time will tell , ” say Dr Ashurbeyli .
