SERA: Democratizing Space Exploration for All

Space has long been the final frontier, a realm of infinite possibilities and untapped resources. It is the one arena that has yet to be divided up by individual nations. Like the oceans down here on Earth, it’s a global commons – at least in principle. In a fair and just world, its untapped potential would be as accessible to everyone as simply gazing at the night sky. 

Needless to say, this is not the case. For decades, access was limited to state-controlled space agencies from a select few global superpowers. Historically, almost 80 percent of astronauts have originated from just three countries – Russia, China and the United States – and over 80% of in-space assets are controlled by that same small group. At SERA, we're on a mission to change that.

What is SERA?

SERA was founded in 2022 with a clear vision: to make space more accessible to everyone, regardless of their country, resources, or background. To this end, SERA is using the blockchain to eliminate the need for central governing authorities in space research and exploration. Inherently decentralized by nature, blockchain is a powerful technology platform upon which individuals both within and beyond the traditional space ecosystem can self-organize around innovative ideas, projects, and research. 

It’s an ambitious goal, but an achievable one. Breaking down decades of structural barriers can only be accomplished by engaging a global community around the effort. So we’re first and foremost focused on building a community of space enthusiasts, and demonstrating to the world just how attainable - and impactful - an open and inclusive space ecosystem can be. 

In two short years, SERA has already made significant strides in demonstrating the power of this approach. In 2022, we sent Victor Hespanha, one of our community members, to space aboard a Blue Origin rocket. A 28-year-old civil engineer from Brazil, Victor had always dreamed of traveling to the stars. But he wasn’t a fighter pilot, scientist or billionaire, and his home country doesn’t have an active space program, so his options were limited. He took a leap of faith in our new approach, joined SERA, and only months later became Brazil’s second astronaut, a national hero, and a nexus for the Brazilian Newspace economy. 

This year, we have partnered with Blue Origin to develop the first human spaceflight program for citizens of nations which have historically lacked access to space. This mission will include five seats reserved for individuals from underrepresented nations and one open seat for a person from any country, and will also involve collaborations with leading academic institutions to deepen our collective understanding of zero-gravity’s impact on the human body through a community-driven science competition to determine what experiments the crew will perform in space.

Why SERA Matters

The space industry has long been dominated by a handful of large organizations, often aligned primarily with strategic national interests focused on geopolitical goals rather than collective progress – turning the stars into another arena for earthly rivalries.

This isn’t just a matter of representation; human advancement is being hindered. More than 50 years have passed since the first moon landing, and despite trillions of taxpayer dollars being spent, an average of only 12 humans are in space at any given time - a poor return on our collective investment by any standard. Moreover, while we’ve focused on getting off the planet, we’ve hardly begun to utilize the resources that are up there. The solar system’s rich material and energy resources remain almost entirely untapped. As pressure builds against these structures, it’s becoming clear that this model is unsustainable both for the industry’s health and for our collective future. 

SERA aims to break down these barriers, making space accessible to innovators, entrepreneurs, and creative problem-solvers from all walks of life.

By decentralizing space research and exploration and empowering a diverse global community, we believe we can accelerate scientific progress and unlock the vast potential of the solar system's resources. Our goal is not just to send more people to space, but to fundamentally reshape humanity's relationship with the cosmos.

Shaping the Future of Space

At SERA, we believe that space is our common future. Whether you're a scientist, an entrepreneur, or simply someone fascinated by the possibilities of space exploration, we invite you to join our community and be part of this revolutionary journey. Together, we can create a future where anyone can fund projects, send up a satellite, or even go to space themselves. The final frontier is opening up, and SERA is here to ensure that everyone has a chance to be part of this new chapter in human history.

Stay tuned for more updates on our missions, partnerships, and opportunities to get involved. The future of space is decentralized, diverse and accessible – and it starts with SERA.

Find out more at sera.space.