MoneroSpace aims to build a decentralized censorship-resistant satellite communication network using open-source hardware and encryption protocols, with three primary goals:
Global Ubiquitous Access: Enable Monero transactions in regions lacking terrestrial networks (e.g., oceans, polar areas) or under censorship (e.g., Iran, Syria).
Physical-Layer Resistance: Bypass ground-based internet blockades via low-earth orbit satellites to ensure independent transaction broadcasting.
Community-Driven Ecosystem: Open-source satellite hardware designs and communication protocols to allow third-party node deployment.
Technical Framework
Component
Specification
Satellite Node
3U CubeSat form factor, equipped with an 8-core ARM Cortex-A72 processor (radiation-hardened), 8GB LPDDR4 memory, and 512GB industrial eMMC storage.
Customized Monero full node with differential synchronization, optimized for low-latency processing in space environments.
Who
Core Team
The OPENENET Team is currently in formation, comprising aerospace engineers with satellite payload design experience and blockchain developers with Monero protocol optimization expertise. Specific member profiles will be added as recruitment progresses.
Community Collaboration
Open-Source Platforms: Code and documentation will be hosted on Gitea and NextCloud, with public access available upon project launch.
Contribution Channels: Future plans include developer bounties for protocol enhancements and hardware modifications, denominated in XMR.
Proposal
Budget Allocation (Monero)
Category
Amount
Purpose
Hardware R&D
15,000
Design and prototype 3 satellites, including radiation-hardened components (e.g., BAE RAD750) and laser modules.
Software Development
8,000
Optimize Monero nodes for satellite environments and develop the Monero-Light communication protocol.
Compliance & Audit
4,000
ITU spectrum applications, FCC orbit registration, and GDPR data compliance certification.
Community Operations
2,000
Incentivize developer contributions, host technical workshops, and maintain multilingual documentation.
Contingency Fund
1,000
Mitigate risks such as launch delays, component shortages, or regulatory changes.
Fund Management
Multi-Signature Wallet: A 3/5 threshold wallet will be established, with signatories including technical leads, compliance advisors, and community-elected volunteers (details to be announced in the project's next phase).
Transparency: Quarterly financial reports will be published on NextCloud, including expense breakdowns, compliance status updates, and fund usage audits.
Risk Mitigation
Risk
Mitigation Strategy
Radiation Damage
Redundant hardware modules and software error-correcting codes (ECC) to ensure data integrity.
Spectrum Denial
Apply for primary (Ku-band) and secondary (Ka-band) frequencies, supported by legal experts in ITU regulations.
Funding Shortfall
Pre-sell satellite node sponsorships and launch community crowdfunding campaigns on Monero-friendly platforms.
Schedule
2025
Q2: Finalize satellite hardware specifications and begin core team recruitment.
Q3: Open-source hardware designs on Gitea and initiate ITU spectrum applications.
Q4: Procure radiation-hardened components and assemble the first satellite prototype.
2026
Q1: Develop and test radiation-resistant node software in a thermal vacuum chamber.
Q2: Submit FCC orbit registration and begin ground station deployment in Switzerland/Iceland.
Q3: Launch a test satellite (non-transactional payload) to validate orbit parameters.
Q4: Integrate laser communication modules and prepare for community testnet trials.
2027
Q1: Launch the community testnet, inviting developers to validate node performance.
Q2: Deploy the first operational satellite cluster, enabling limited transaction routing for pilot regions.
Q3: Expand the network to 10+ satellites and publish the first compliance audit report.
Conclusion
MoneroSpace seeks to enhance Monero's resilience by adding a space-based infrastructure layer, ensuring secure and censorship-resistant access for users globally. While specific technical details and team information are still being finalized, this proposal provides a compliant framework for community-driven development. We welcome feedback and support to advance this decentralized, censorship-resistant initiative.