Plans for Asgardia, announced today in Paris, include a first satellite to be launched in autumn 2017. It 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 the nation itself, creating its own legal framework, flag and other symbols of nationhood.
The project team is being led by Dr Igor Ashurbeyli, one of the Russian Federation's most distinguished scientists and founder of the Aerospace International Research Center (AIRC) in Vienna. He said: “The project's concept comprises three parts – philosophical, legal and scientific/technological. The scientific and technological component of the project can be explained in just three words – peace, access and protection.
“The scientific and technological envelope of Asgardia is a space arena for the scientific creativity of its citizens and companies in developing a broad range of future space technologies, products and services for humanity on Earth and humanity in Space.”
One of the early developments planned by the Asgardia team will be the creation of a protective shield for all humankind from cosmic manmade and natural threats to life on earth such as space debris, coronal mass ejections and asteroid collisions. An artists impression of this is shown in the picture.
