Blue Origin’s upcoming mission will feature a diverse group of contest winners selected by the Space Exploration & Research Agency (SERA), a company that transitioned from cryptocurrency to promoting accessibility in space exploration.
The flight will include three seats reserved for winners from India, Nigeria, and Small Island Developing States, along with two additional seats for citizens of countries underrepresented in space travel. The final seat will be open to eligible applicants from the United States.
SERA plans to conduct online voting to choose candidates, who will pay a nominal fee to apply and participate in reality-show style competitions. Winners will have the opportunity to conduct research projects aboard a reusable rocket launched from Texas.
The evolution of SERA is remarkable: originally known as the Crypto Space Agency, it gained attention for sending its first astronaut to space through the minting of an NFT. Co-founder Joshua Skurla emphasized the impact of Web3 platforms on real-life society.
In a strategic shift, SERA has moved away from cryptocurrency and embraced elements of reality TV. Finalists will undergo a selection process documented in episodes where they will compete in challenges as part of crews formed from each seat category.
Blue Origin’s New Shepard has already achieved several milestones, including flying the first Portuguese astronaut and the oldest person in space. Previously, SERA supported the journey of the second Brazilian astronaut, Victor Hepanha, in 2022.
After a hiatus following a launch anomaly in 2022, Blue Origin resumed crewed flights in May with six passengers. The specific launch date for the upcoming mission has not been announced, though SERA’s website suggests it will occur after Q3. Interested parties will need to stay tuned for further updates.
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