In an exciting development for space exploration and the cryptocurrency universe, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), an agency under the Department of Commerce (CommerceGov), has given its approval to the DOGE-1 satellite project.
This mission, carried out by SpaceX in partnership with the Dogecoin digital currency, is scheduled to orbit the Moon and transmit a video signal from there.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (@NTIAgov), a Department of Commerce (@CommerceGov) agency, approved DOGE-1 X-Band (0083-EX-CN-2022 on https://t.co/b6iEAYdTPV) 📜
We have yet to get the FCC license grant which will address X-Band and S-Band 🛰$XI pic.twitter.com/YSJoyLclQk
— SΔMUΞL RΞIÐ (e/acc) (@SamuelReidGEC) November 28, 2023
The satellite, which will be the first to be paid for entirely with DOGE tokens, is the fruit of a collaboration established in May 2021 between SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, and the popular meme-based cryptocurrency.
With a payload of 40 kilograms, the satellite is equipped with special communication devices, cameras and sensors designed to collect data from the lunar surface.
One of the most unique features of the project is a miniature screen on the DOGE-1 satellite, which will display advertisements, images and logos of the project, transmitting this data back to Earth.
This initiative is expected to not only mark a milestone in space exploration but also lay the foundation for interplanetary trade, according to the SpaceX vice president.
Despite this important step, final approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is still required before the DOGE-1 satellite can legally operate in the X-Band and S-Band frequency bands.
This additional process underscores the need to comply with multiple regulations and obtain specific permits for the successful operation of space missions.
The launch has been being prepared since the first half of 2022
Has experienced several delays and is now expected to take place in January 2024.
Meanwhile, the price of Dogecoin, although showing a slight increase following the announcement, underwent a correction, remaining stable over the last 24 hours and showing an increase of 17.2% over the last month, according CoinMarketCap data.
In addition to the DOGE-1 satellite, it has been revealed that Astrobotic also plans to send a cold wallet with Dogecoin tokens to the Moon as part of a community-backed initiative since 2015.
This development, along with other inclusions such as a Bitcoin token and a plaque of metal with the content of the first block of the main cryptocurrency, promises an exciting foray of cryptocurrencies into the space.
