Space Exploration & Research Agency (SERA) has launched an expanded democratic astronaut selection process, where Nigeria will select its next space representative.

According to SERA, the process, unveiled yesterday, promotes community-selected space representation for Nigeria, India, Indonesia, Brazil, and Thailand, with citizens voting for their representatives through a blockchain-powered platform.

It explained that the programme transformed space access from an exclusive institutional selection to one that involves public participation, stressing that, unlike traditional astronaut programmes requiring military backgrounds or advanced degrees, SERA’s Mission Control platform on Telegram enables anyone from partner nations to apply and compete for community support.

SERA co-founder, Joshua Skurla, said: “After the success of SERA’s inaugural space flight in 2022, we’re scaling democratic space access to five nations simultaneously, plus a global seat. Nigeria’s seat means someone from any background can represent their nation in space based on community choice.”

Director, Media and Corporate Communications, NASRDA, Dr Felix Ale, noted that while Nigeria had pursued space exploration through its National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and witnessed Chief Owolabi Salis’s self-funded Blue Origin flight, SERA offers the first community-selected civilian astronaut pathway.

Director General of NASRDA, Dr Matthew Olumide Adepoju, said: “This partnership aligns with our vision of expanding Nigeria’s space presence beyond satellites to human spaceflight. SERA’s democratic approach ensures Nigerian representation reflects our diverse population’s aspirations.”

Six seats are reserved for the upcoming Blue Origin mission: Five allocated to partner nations, with a sixth open to citizens from any country.