Ridiculed no longer? US Space Force will launch NFT line

“We can now put this launch and Neil Armstrong’s historic achievements on the immutable ledger and memorialize and tokenize it on an NFT that the public can participate in,” said Ethernity Chain CEO Nick Rose.

The United States Space Force, a branch of the armed forces created under the previous administration, is releasing a series of nonfungible tokens.

In an announcement today, the United States Space Force, or USSF, said it had partnered with community-oriented nonfungible token platform Ethernity Chain to release digital versions of patches and coins designed for the launch of its fifth vehicle in the GPS III. The nonfungible tokens, or NFTs, will feature the satellites — the one being launched is named after space pioneer and first person on the moon, Neil Armstrong — launch vehicle, space suits, and other iconic imagery.

According to Ethernity Chain, the NFTs will be interactive augmented reality tokens, one of which will feature a 3D depiction of 27 satellites orbiting forming the Earth in what scientists describe as a GPS “constellation.” Opening bids for the satellite NFT will start at $1, with collections between 25 to 100 pieces ranging from $100 to $1000.

“This is a historic opportunity for the NFT and blockchain space to push the medium forward and commemorate a moment both technologically and futuristically,” said Ethernity Chain CEO Nick Rose. “We can now put this launch and Neil Armstrong’s historic achievements on the immutable ledger and memorialize and tokenize it on an NFT that the public can participate in.”

Related: Space invaders: Launching crypto into orbit

The satellite will reportedly provide “accurate global positioning and navigation systems to military and civilian users.” With a 15-minute launch window open starting at 12:09 PM EDT on June 17, project leaders at Astrotech Space Operations Florida have already begun preparations for the launch at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Following its creation as an independent branch of the U.S. Armed Forces in 2019, many initially mocked the USSF both for it seemingly being central to the previous administration’s agenda at a time when domestic and international concerns were arguably more of a concern for those in the United States. The Space Force even spawned a TV comedy series of the same name.