SpaceX founder Elon Musk is an avid supporter of cryptocurrency, especially Bitcoin and Dogecoin. Some people did not take Dogecoin (ĐOGE) seriously because its creators initially created the digital currency as a joke inspired by a cute Shiba Inu dog meme. However, Dogecoin uses similar blockchain technology as Bitcoin and features faster transaction rates than most cryptocurrencies. ĐOGE is a fast, reliable, and secure, decentralized digital currency that has value like fiat money does. For the past few months, Dogecoin has gained many users and it surpassed the valuation of major companies like automaker Ford and even the social media platform Twitter.
Today, May 9th, Geometric Energy Corporation (GEC) announced that it paid SpaceX entirely with Dogecoin to launch payload atop a Falcon 9 rocket to the moon. The mission is called ‘DOGE-1’, it is the first spaceflight mission in history paid by the cryptocurrency. Geometric Energy Corporation's DOGE-1 Mission to the moon will launch a 40-kilogram CubeSat during a rideshare launch scheduled for the first quarter of the year 2022. The CubeSat features advanced hardware and software, including cameras and sensors that will obtain lunar-spatial intelligence.
“Having officially transacted with DOGE for a deal of this magnitude, Geometric Energy Corporation and SpaceX have solidified DOGE as a unit of account for lunar business in the space sector,” said Geometric Energy's Chief Executive Officer Samuel Reid in a press release. “This mission will demonstrate the application of cryptocurrency beyond Earth orbit and set the foundation for interplanetary commerce,” said SpaceX Vice President of Commercial Sales Tom Ochinero. "We're excited to launch DOGE-1 to the Moon!"
The DOGE-1 mission announcement comes after Musk said last month that “SpaceX is going to put a literal Dogecoin on the literal moon.” It’s unclear whether he was referencing this mission. GEC shares that the DOGE-1 mission will also include digital art in the form of space plaques provided by GeometricLabs Corporation and Geometric Gaming Corporation.
Much Wow!
SpaceX launching satellite Doge-1 to the moon next year
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 9, 2021
– Mission paid for in Doge
– 1st crypto in space
– 1st meme in space
To the mooooonnn!!https://t.co/xXfjGZVeUW
Author's note: Thanks for supporting TESMANIAN! Twitter: Evelyn Janeidy Arevalo
Featured Image Source: Getty Images & SpaceX
About the Author
Evelyn Arevalo
Evelyn J. Arevalo joined Tesmanian in 2019 to cover news as a Space Journalist and SpaceX Starbase Texas Correspondent. Evelyn is specialized in rocketry and space exploration. The main topics she covers are SpaceX and NASA.
