If you've ever felt like you don't want to live on this planet anymore, then this new space business venture might be just what you're looking for. Russian businessman, Igor Ashurbeyli, has recently announced his plants to construct a future space nation and they are now taking applications for future citizenship. Ashurbeyli also plans to get the nation recognized by the United Nations.
Thus far, the project nation has been titled Asgardia. It has been described as a multinational scientific humanitarian project when it was announced at a press conference in Paris. And Ashurbeyli has said that the essence of the space nation is supposed to be about peace in space.
Ashurbeyli plans to give preference to the first 1000 people to apply before the first satellite is launched. And he also says that traditional citizenship procedures are going to be employed. So far, over 185,000 people have signed up to join in and become Asgardians. The plan is to launch the first prototype satellite next year or in 2018. Ashurbeyli says that the space nation will demonstrate that private, independent, and unrestricted research, is possible.
There is also a flag contest being held and the instructions are to create a design that would symbolize the values and aspirations of the concept for the future nation. The closing date for that contest is in 2017 and it is open to anyone to enter. They are also looking for inspiration when it comes to insignia for the project and a possible anthem. Asgardia was named in honor of an ancient mythical city that was said to exist in the skies, and the concept page for the project describes that it will offer an independent platform that is free from the laws of land-based countries.
Pics: pixabay
Sources:
http://asgardia.space/contest/flag
http://motherboard.vice.com/en_ca/read/earth-got-you-down-apply-for-citizenship-to-asgardia-a-new-country-in-space