Project Ascension
Crowdfunding scientific research with the first space-borne physical asset NFTs!
The Project Ascension NFT (Non-Fungible Token) initiative brings together two seemingly unrelated concepts: NFT collectibles and scientific research. This project pioneers a groundbreaking approach to funding scientific research by launching etched titanium plates into space and issuing associated non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on the Cardano blockchain, thereby publicly recognizing individual financial contributions to scientific research. At the conclusion of the project, these etched plates were given to the NFT owners, commemorating their support. What makes this endeavor even more noteworthy is that it marks the inaugural flight of physical asset NFTs into space.
Project Ascension marks the inaugural flight of physical asset NFTs into space.
Crowdfunding Science
The recent surge in the popularity of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) has introduced a novel avenue for creators and entrepreneurs to secure funding for their projects. Built on cryptocurrency blockchains like Cardano and Ethereum, NFTs represent ownership certificates for physical or digital assets. These tokens can be bought, sold, and traded, facilitating the digital transfer of asset ownership. While NFTs have primarily been associated with digital art, they have diverse applications that include event tickets, ownership of music compositions, or software licensing. This newfound versatility has presented an unconventional opportunity for scientific research: decentralized crowdfunding.
Instead of relying solely on traditional sources of funding, such as academia and research institutions, scientists can present research concepts to the general public and secure funding by selling tokens to cryptocurrency holders interested in supporting their work. In return, these tokens serve as tangible proof of an individual’s support.
Additionally, token ownership can grant special privileges, such as free access to research journal articles, exclusive facility tours, and experiment-related souvenirs. Tokenizing patronage not only widens access to science and scientific literacy but also empowers the public to advance research, particularly in critical areas that lack commercial viability. Embracing tokenization in scientific endeavors provides an exciting avenue to spark interest in STEM fields and introduces an innovative approach to research funding.
Project Description and Objectives
The Project Ascension payload consisted of a stack of 25 titanium plates, each laser etched with mission logos and an artistic rendering of its orbital destination: the International Space Station (ISS). The payload was launched to the ISS on July 15th, 2022 aboard the SpaceX CRS-25 ISS resupply mission, where it found its place within the Cargo Dragon module, securely integrated atop a Falcon 9 rocket. The journey commenced from the iconic Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. After completing over 4,400 orbits around Earth, these spacefaring physical asset NFTs reentered the planet’s atmosphere on April 15th, 2023.
Upon their safe return from the ISS, each of the 25 physical titanium plates were delivered to their respective owners, with ownership validation linked via its corresponding NFT. Physical-asset NFTs function as digital certificates of ownership, linked to their corresponding unique titanium plates via the Cardano blockchain. These NFTs establish an immutable digital connection between the owner and the tangible spaceborne artifact, providing indisputable proof of ownership and commemorating their unique contribution to the Project Ascension mission.
One Small Step for Cardano…
Project Ascension, the first-ever physical asset NFT venture to voyage into space and back, found its home on the Cardano blockchain. Cardano’s selection was driven by its technological prowess and its unwavering commitment to research.
Cardano operates on a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus model, significantly reducing the energy consumption associated with NFT minting and transactions when compared to Proof-of-Work (PoW) chains. Environmental sustainability was a paramount concern for our team, and Cardano’s PoS model aligned perfectly with this ethos. Additionally, on the Cardano blockchain, NFTs are classified as “native assets,” meaning these tokens exist independently of smart contracts. This unique feature allows for streamlined minting and distribution with minimal on-chain resources and correspondingly low network fees. The creation of the 25 Project Ascension tokens incurred a mere 60 cents in network fees.
Cardano’s appeal extends beyond its technical merits. The blockchain embodies the principles of scientific rigor, transparency, and openness. Over 100 scientific papers delineating the Cardano blockchain’s structural framework have undergone rigorous peer-review processes and have been published in esteemed academic journals. These scholarly contributions underscored Cardano’s commitment to advancing blockchain technology through rigorous research and scholarship.
Project Timeline
Fall 2021: Project Idea
The Ascension team developed the idea when combining aspects of the emerging NFT technology landscape with research relating to the team’s day jobs as space engineers.
October 29th 2021: Purchased ride to space
The team secured payload space on a resupply mission to the ISS as part of the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE-16).
November 4th, 2021: Plates fabricated
The titanium plates were machined to the desired shape and the surface laser etched with the custom Ascension artwork.
November 5th, 2021: Plates shipped to the launch provider
The twenty-five plates were shipped to the mission integrator in Houston, Texas to be integrated with the MISSE-16 rocket payload.
July 15th, 2022: We have liftoff!
The Ascension payload launched aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 mission CRS-25 from the LC-39A launch complex at Kennedy Space Center — thus making Project Ascension the first physical asset NFTs to reach orbit. Launch complex 39A also supported other notable events in space exploration:
- Apollo-11 (the first mission to land astronauts on the moon)
- The first and last Space Shuttle missions
July 16th, 2022: CRS-25 docks with the ISS
After 38 hours of travel, the CRS-25 capsule containing the Project Ascension payload, entered low earth orbit (LEO) and successfully docked with the ISS.
September 15th 2022: Payload photographed aboard the ISS
The Ascension team received a photograph of the Project Ascension payload aboard the ISS.
October 6th 2022: Project Ascension tokens minted
The Project Ascension tokens were minted in two transactions on the Cardano blockchain. These NFTs are the first to mint while the corresponding physical asset is in space.
The first transaction contained the metadata for plates 1–12 and was added to the Cardano blockchain at 3:48:59 UTC while the ISS was flying over the North Pacific.
The second transaction contained the metadata for plates 13–25 and was added to the Cardano blockchain at 4:01:00 UTC while the ISS was flying over central China.
The Project Ascension assets may be viewed on pool.pm. The NFT metadata includes both experiment and launch details.
Ascension policy ID: 4d412dec706558e7f03bfce240e0e6e1b015442035e5d0784396e008
October 8th 2022: Project Ascension announced during cNFTcon 2022
During his interview session with Charles Hoskinson, Marco Guerrero from Buffy Bot Publishing tells the crowd at cNFTcon 2022 about the Project Ascension Plates currently in LEO aboard the ISS.
February 10th 2023: Ascension NFTs Listed on JPG.store
NFT distribution and pricing:
- 1 token given to each developer (5 total). Plates #20 through #24.
- 1 token given to Charles and the IOG team as a memento of the first physical asset NFT in space (Plate #25).
- 20 tokens made available for sale on JPG.store. Plates #1 through #19. The token mint/sale price is a linear function with number. Plate #1 will be listed for 29k ADA with a 1k ADA decrease in price for each subsequent plate until plate #19 is listed for 11k ADA.
April 15th 2023: Ascension Plates Return to Earth!
On April 15th, Project Ascension returned to Earth aboard SpaceX CRS-27, splashing down at 3:58 PM CST off the coast of Florida! Coincidentally, the Ascension payload returned to Earth on the same SpaceX capsule that delivered our second payload, Project Cosmos, into space!
April 25th 2023: Ascension Metadata Update
The Project Ascension token metadata was updated to include return to Earth information. Additionally, the tokens were all linked with new “extended metadata” tokens which contains additional project information added after the original policy ID closed on April 28th.
September 20th 2023: Custom Shadowboxes for Ascension Plates
We worked with a custom framing shop to build museum-quality shadowboxes to display the Ascension tokens. These unique display cases are included with the purchase of each token on JPG.store!
More updates coming soon! Read about our second ISS payload, Project Cosmos.
Project Ascension was created by Ascension Sciences — a team of space engineers who proudly operate Viper Staking on Cardano — in collaboration with Buffy Bot Publishing.
