On Wednesday, millions of Sci-Fi fans across the world drew a collective gasp of excitement when they were offered the chance to become citizens of the first independent space nation. It will be named Asgardia in a nod to the sky-city ruled by Odin, Ruler of the Gods in Norse Mythology (and it was much appreciated by the Marvel fans too).
However if you’re looking to escape the Earth – which is a perfectly logical request considering the state of 2016 – you’re going to need a back-up plan. Asgardia will be an unmanned satellite where people can register as virtual citizens.
The project is aimed at fostering international peace by creating a nation that is a legal ‘no man’s land’. By creating a political dead zone they intend for Asgardia to focus on the advancement of the species free from preconceived legal constrictions.
They are calling for public sign-ups on their website because they need to hit 100,000 citizens before they can apply to the UN for status of state. “Asgardia is also unique from a philosophical aspect -- to serve entire humanity and each and everyone, regardless of his or her personal welfare and the prosperity of the country where they happened to be born,” says Professor David Alexander, director of the Rice Space Institute.
People who apply for Asgardian citizenship will legally belong to both their home country and Asgardia although they will of course be bound at all times by the laws of their physical country.
The satellite will also function as a protective shield from all manner of space debris and meteorites as well as being the next step in space exploration so in case you were disappointed about having to stay on the planet you can at least make plenty of Trekkie force field jokes.
This scientific, legal and technological experiment was created by a consortium of scientists and headed by Russian nanoscientist Dr. Igor Ashurbeyli, founder of the Aerospace International Research Centre who is also thehead of UNESCO’s Science of Space committee. The satellite is set to be launched in 2017 to commemorate the 60 year anniversary of the first satellite launch. Once Asgardia has acquired enough citizens it will become a fully functioning nation state.
“Asgardia is a fully-fledged and independent nation, and a future member of the United Nations - with all the attributes this status entails,” says Ashurbeyli.
Hopefully the plan to separate the base from the trivialities of Earth laws succeeds and they create a community that eschews petty politics in favour of scientific advancement. Once the planet’s greatest minds are allowed to function without having to worry about inter-departmental bickering there’s no way of knowing what fantasies await.
We just hope that when they perfect the art of space travel, the newly christened Asgardians get to be on the first ship out.
Sign up here to claim your Asgardian Citizenship