The Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA), a US-based organization, has announced a new phase of astronaut selection for an upcoming Blue Origin New Shepard flight, confirming that India will be one of five nations guaranteed a seat on board. Alongside India, citizens from Nigeria, Indonesia, Brazil, and Thailand will also secure a spot, while a sixth seat remains open to applicants worldwide, excluding individuals from sanctioned countries.
This mission marks a breakthrough in democratizing access to human spaceflight, with the selection process being conducted through a Telegram mini-app called Mission Control, powered by the TON blockchain. The platform allows participants to register, complete challenges, and accumulate “SpaceDust” points, which will determine the astronaut chosen to represent their country.
“This is the first time in history a space program has been placed directly in the hands of the people,” said Joshua Skurla, cofounder of SERA. “We are excited to welcome participants worldwide and invite them to shape this journey.”
The astronaut selected from India will join the mission for an 11-minute suborbital flight past the Kármán line—the internationally recognized boundary of space at 100 km altitude—before returning safely to Earth.
Beyond astronaut selection, the initiative also opens doors for the global community to propose and vote on microgravity experiments through SERA’s science platform. This feature enables students, researchers, and innovators, including those from India, to engage directly in space-based research and innovation.
Sam Hutchison, cofounder of SERA, highlighted the broader vision: “By leveraging blockchain, we have built a one-of-a-kind system that empowers people not only to participate but also to directly decide who goes to space. This is the future of exploration—accessible and inclusive.”
Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, emphasized that the collaboration with SERA aligns with its long-term vision of enabling millions of people to live and work in space.
With this step, India joins a select group of countries at the forefront of community-driven space exploration, reflecting its growing presence in the global space ecosystem. The initiative also strengthens opportunities for India’s youth and research community to contribute to international space science and technology.
