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Astronautics
manufacture and oversee the satellite mission that
will enable its debut in space. In turn, NanoRacks
has selected NearSpace Launch (NSL) of Indiana to
build the satellite based on previous mission success,
integrity and quick turnaround time.
NSL says the satellite is designed to carry
a payload of energetic particle sensors and a
512 GB hard drive which contains the beginnings
of an Asgardian space presence. Its payload will
enable regular communication between Earth
and the Asgardian satellite through NSL’s EyeStar
S2 Simplex and Duplex radios and Globalstar’s 30
satellite constellation, regardless of the satellite’s
position in orbit.
Marcia Blount, director of operations for
NanoRacks in Houston, said: “NSL has been a
strategic vendor to NanoRacks in the Asgardia-1
programme. Its services align with the turnkey
solution we offered to Asgardia, and we look
forward to bringing the first space nation’s
satellite to orbit in near record time.”
After launch on an Orbital ATK rocket to the
ISS, Asgardia-1 will be deployed from the External
Cygnus NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer, mounted
on the outside of the Cygnus spacecraft. The
satellite will be deployed from Cygnus after the
vehicle departs from its primary mission at the
Space Station.
“There is nothing and nobody standing between
us apart from the idea of creating the space
kingdom of Asgardia!”
Highlights from the speech
of Dr Igor Ashurbeyli
In his presentation to the press conference Dr
Ashurbeyli said Hong Kong had been chosen
because it is one of the biggest international
financial and commercial centres in the
world, and also represented the largest
population of Asgardians living in the
People’s Republic of China.
He went on to state: “We want to build a
serious, legitimate, independent first space
nation, which is recognised by the Earth states
and the United Nations, and which is facing
towards space in its development.
“Of course, the baseline documents which
were prepared in such a short period of time
may and will cause serious debates. This is
the reason why I have constitutionally limited
my own authority to a five-year period. This
will allow Asgardians to thoughtfully define
how they see their future, and to incorporate
necessary changes into the Constitution and the
laws of Asgardia.
“Today I am calling upon everyone to vote
for this Constitution as it is presented. It may
change many times, the same as our Asgardian
space humanity will change. But today we must
not waste time.
“According to our Constitution in only six
months, we have to form the Parliament
of Asgardia based on the language
representativeness principle. And in the three
months after - the Government, the Court, the
Prosecutors Office, etc.
“We, Asgardians, have a unique advantage. As
the Founding Father of Asgardia I do not know
any of you personally. And none of you knows me
personally. This means that there is nothing and
nobody standing between us apart from the idea
of creating the space kingdom of Asgardia!
“Let’s do it together!
“I am declaring the voting open right now on
the new Asgardia web-site asgardia.space. And
in front of you, in this live event, I sign a Decree.
“You do not need to go to an election booth
now. You just stay in the comfort of your
favourite gadget and make a couple of clicks - a
few on your device, and mostly important, one in
your heart.
“One humanity one unity! We are not the
best. We are the future. I embrace you all and
everyone of you.”
Dr Ashurbeyli pictured
with Ram Jakhu (left)
and Jeffery Manber.
