Breaking new ground, the Space Exploration & Research Agency (SERA) has announced a pioneering partnership with Blue Origin, geared towards launching a human spaceflight program specifically designed for nations traditionally overlooked in space exploration. This initiative seeks to democratize access to space, providing individuals worldwide with the opportunity to explore the cosmos and participate in leading-edge space research. The maiden voyage has already filled all six seats on an upcoming Blue Origin New Shepard flight.
Designed to foster inclusivity, five of the seats have been earmarked for nations lacking representation or with minimal presence in space endeavors. The remaining seat will be open to individuals from any nation, further emphasizing the program’s commitment to diversity and global participation. SERA is working in conjunction with National Space Agencies and regional research bodies to facilitate the mission and devise scientific experiments to be conducted during the voyage. The selection of astronauts and scientific payloads will be determined through community input, with partner nations set to be revealed in the ensuing months.
This initiative builds upon a prior collaboration between SERA (formerly known as CSA) and Blue Origin, which saw Victor Hespanha, a 28-year-old civil engineer hailing from Minas Gerais, ascend to space, becoming the second Brazilian to achieve such a feat and a national icon in the process. Victor’s selection, drawn from the SERA community, saw him embark on NS-21, Blue Origin’s fifth manned mission, on 04 June 2022.
Historically, space exploration has been the purview of a select few nations, with a staggering 80% of astronauts originating from just three countries. Concurrently, these nations maintain control over nearly 80% of the in-orbit infrastructure. SERA, driven by its mission to establish an inclusive space agency and catalyze global involvement in space initiatives, was founded to redress this historical disparity.
Citizens eager to propel their nations into the cosmos are encouraged to participate in this historic endeavor. Eligible countries boasting the highest pre-registration numbers will secure one of the dedicated seats aboard the mission. Interested parties can sign up via https://www.sera.space/preregistration.