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The Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA) has initiated a broader democratic selection procedure for astronauts, with Nigeria set to choose its upcoming space envoy.

As per SERA, the process, revealed on October 1, encourages community-elected spatial representation for Nigeria, India, Indonesia, Brazil, and Thailand, with residents casting their votes for representatives via a blockchain-based system.

It stated that the program changed space access from an exclusive institutional choice to one that includes public involvement, emphasizing that, in contrast to traditional astronaut programs that require military experience or advanced education, SERA’s Mission Control platform on Telegram allows anyone from partner countries to apply and seek community support.

Joshua Skurla, co-founder of SERA, stated, “Following the achievement of SERA’s first space mission in 2022, we are expanding democratic access to space for five countries at once, along with a worldwide seat. Nigeria’s seat allows an individual from any background to represent their country in space through community selection.”

Dr. Felix Ale, head of Media and Corporate Communications at NASRDA, pointed out that although Nigeria has engaged in space exploration via its National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and observed Chief Owolabi Salis’s privately funded Blue Origin journey, SERA introduces the initial community-voted civilian astronaut route.

Dr. Matthew Olumide Adepoju, head of NASRDA, stated: “This collaboration supports our goal of increasing Nigeria’s involvement in space beyond satellites into human spaceflight. SERA’s inclusive method guarantees that Nigerian voices represent the varied aspirations of our population.”

Six seats have been set aside for the upcoming Blue Origin flight: Five assigned to allied countries, and a sixth available to individuals from any nation.