500,000 have applied for citizenship in Asgardia, the budding “space nation”

The world's first "space nation," Asgardia, appears to be growing rapidly. The would-be population now exceeds 500,000 according to an article by Bec Crew in Science Alert: Half a Million People Have Bombarded 'Space Nation' Asgardia With Citizenship Applications.

Just a year ago, in October 2016, the first 100,000 citizenships were made available. See Scientists propose space nation named ‘Asgardia’ and cosmic shield to protect Earth from asteroids by Sarah Knapton in The Telegraph.

Independent of countries on Earth, Asgardia is being created by a team of engineers, scientists and legal experts. The idea is to transcend and protect Earth as our species expands into space.

The project, which is led by Russian scientist Dr Igor Ashurbeyli, Chairman of UNESCOs Science of Space committee, aims to create an area on and beyond Earth which is free of control by individual nations. Ashurbeyli is aided by a team of engineers, scientists and legal experts.

Key observations and takeaways:

• There are serious scientists behind it, and they have valid reasons for establishing sovereignty beyond the parochial and often contentious Earth-bound states.
• It has UNESCO connections and is a candidate for UN membership.
• An early project is a protective shield to keep Earth safe from asteroids and space debris. To that end, the first Asgardia satellite is scheduled for launch in 2017.
• Other projects will address the three phases of the initiative: providing broader access to space; promoting peace in outer space; and addressing cosmic hazards and planetary defense.
• In the long term, if Asgardia endures, there’s no telling how it might evolve — especially in light of the current focus on privatizing space, colonizing Mars, manufacturing in orbit, and mining asteroids.
• You can visit the Asgardia website here: http://asgardia.space
• If you join, there’s little downside other than email notices and invitations to participate. For example, the public is being asked to help design the nation’s flag.

Image from The Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group). Artist’s impression of the cosmic shield which will protect Earth from asteroids. Credit: James Vaughan