Space Exploration and Research Agency

What Space Exploration and Research Agency does

SERA (Space Exploration and Research Agency) is a US-incorporated, community-driven space platform that democratizes access to suborbital human spaceflight for citizens of nations historically excluded from astronaut programs. Founded in 2021 and operated under the legal entity Galactic Waste Management Inc. (Delaware), the company has built a global community of more than 140,000 aspiring astronauts across 160+ countries by combining a Telegram-based Mission Control mini-app, TON Blockchain infrastructure, and partnerships with national space agencies (NASRDA, MSRO) and entertainment distributors (Banijay Asia, TrueVisions NOW). Its flagship commercial vehicle was the reservation of all six seats on a Blue Origin New Shepard mission for citizens of underrepresented nations — a program now on hold following Blue Origin's decision to pause New Shepard flights for approximately two years to focus on Blue Moon and New Glenn.

The technical stack centers on a Telegram mini-app called SERA Mission Control, which sits on TON Blockchain and issues SpaceDust points for engagement, profiles, referrals, and challenge completion. Voting power in both astronaut selection and science-experiment selection is weighted by SpaceDust and verified by Mission Pin NFTs (initially minted on Coinbase's Base L2) and a SERA ID Card digital identity layer. A generative AI assistant — SERA AI — is trained on microgravity research to coach non-expert users through experiment proposals, while the SERA Science Platform coordinates experiment submission and community voting. Research partners include Weill Cornell Medicine's Mason Lab and the University of Austin's Overbey Lab, focusing on cellular biology, fluid dynamics, and human physiology in microgravity.

SERA's commercial model is built on small-ticket, multi-stream monetization layered over a free community funnel: one-time mission participation fees, annual multi-mission subscriptions, NFT/digital collectible sales (Mission Pins and ticket-style onchain activations), and transaction fees such as ~$2.50 KYC charges for astronaut candidates in India. Go-to-market is community-led via Telegram and TikTok/Instagram/X organic channels, event-driven through reality TV formats, and channel-partner driven through national space agencies and regional media. The geographic footprint explicitly excludes OFAC-style restricted territories (Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, and parts of Ukraine). At ~51–100 employees, the company operates with a founder-led structure (Sam Hutchison and Joshua Skurla as co-founders) and no disclosed institutional funding beyond a token Red Sea Ventures relationship.

Name

Space Exploration and Research Agency

Legal name

Galactic Waste Management Inc.

Website

https://sera.space

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

SERA is a community-driven space agency that uses a Telegram-based platform on TON Blockchain to let 140,000+ users across 160+ countries participate in astronaut selection and microgravity research through token-weighted voting and gamified engagement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Mission Participation Fees: One-time payments for participation in specific missions and subscriptions for multiple mission access. Users pay fees to participate in the astronaut selection program and access platform features.
2. Subscription Fees: Annual subscription model offering access to multiple missions with automatic recurring charges. Subscription fees plus applicable taxes are charged yearly.
3. NFT/Digital Collectible Sales: Sale of digital collectibles (Mission Pins) through open edition mints on Base blockchain during events like Onchain Summer, serving as tickets to enter astronaut selection competitions.
4. Platform Services: Fees for verification checks and KYC processes for astronaut candidates, approximately $2.50 for Indian citizens registration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SERA operates the Mission Control mini-app on Telegram, powered by TON Blockchain, which enables global public participation in citizen astronaut selection and decentralized scientific experiment voting for suborbital Blue Origin New Shepard flights. Users earn SpaceDust points through challenges, community building, and content creation to gain voting eligibility; they may also purchase Mission Pin NFTs that confer membership and voting rights. The company also produces reality-TV style astronaut selection formats through entertainment partnerships and supports microgravity research submissions through its SERA Science Platform and SERA AI assistant.

Product overview

SERA operates as a community-driven space agency built around a platform architecture centered on democratizing access to space. The core offering consists of the Mission Control App (a Telegram mini-app powered by TON Blockchain) that enables public participation in astronaut selection and space research. Supporting products include the SERA Science Platform for decentralized science experiments, SERA AI for proposal assistance, and the SpaceDust gamification system. Users can purchase Mission Pins (NFTs) for membership and voting eligibility, and receive SERA ID Cards for digital identity within the community. The Astronaut Selection Program and Science Experiment Competition are the primary services that leverage these products to select crews and research for Blue Origin New Shepard missions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SERA Science Platform: A decentralized framework for space-based research utilizing TON Blockchain to allow the global community to submit and vote on scientific experiments for upcoming missions.
• SERA AI
• Mission Control
• Mission Pin

Products and services

• SERA Mission Control App A Telegram mini-app that allows global users to participate in citizen astronaut selection by earning SpaceDust points, completing challenges, building communities, and voting on candidates. Serves as the primary gateway to SERA's spaceflight program, accessible without a separate download.
• SERA Science Platform A decentralized framework (DeSci) for space-based research using TON Blockchain that allows the global community to submit and vote on microgravity scientific experiments for upcoming SERA missions. Supports researchers without traditional space science backgrounds.
• SERA AI A generative AI assistant within the SERA platform, trained on microgravity research literature, experiment parameters, and program handbooks. It educates users on space science fundamentals and provides iterative feedback on experiment proposals to help structure submissions.
• Astronaut Selection Program A multi-phase community-driven selection program for citizen astronauts from underrepresented nations, culminating in seats aboard Blue Origin New Shepard suborbital flights. Includes SpaceDust earning, KYC verification, regional leaderboard competition, and public voting to determine final crew members.
• Science Experiment Competition A competition allowing SERA members to propose and vote on microgravity science experiments to be conducted by astronauts during spaceflight. Experiments focus on cellular biology, fluid dynamics, and human physiology in microgravity.
• Mission Pin (NFT) A non-fungible token (NFT) that enables holders to participate in voting for SERA initiatives, promotions, and programs, and serves as an eligibility token for astronaut flight selection. Sold through open-edition mints including during Base's Onchain Summer.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 80% of astronauts historically came from just three countries; SERA aims to dramatically expand access for the remaining 150+ nations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• TON FoundationcoreTechnology or Integration · 30 September 2025Blockchain infrastructure partnership powering SERA Mission Control mini-app on Telegram. TON provides decentralized voting infrastructure and high-speed scalable architecture. SpaceDust points system runs on TON's native infrastructure. Partnership enables Web3-based astronaut selection governance.
• TrueVisions NOWflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2025Thailand television partnership with CreAsia Studio for Race to Space Thailand reality show. Applications open until October 10, 2025. Show to premiere November on TrueVisions NOW. Partnership aims to find Thailand's first astronaut for Blue Origin New Shepard mission.
• CreAsia StudioflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 September 2025Entertainment production studio partnership with Banijay Asia for Race to Space Thailand reality format. Produces pioneering reality show documenting astronaut selection journey. Format combines space exploration with competitive reality television.
• Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2025Thai food conglomerate sponsoring Race to Space Thailand initiative. Previously sent Thai chicken for astronauts to enjoy in space, marking milestone achievement.
• SPACE IndiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 19 February 2025Official Outreach Partner in India for SERA's human spaceflight program. SPACE India engages students and young professionals through network of 1,000+ schools and 1.5 million students. Partnership includes events, workshops, online campaigns, and science experiment promotion.
• Weill Cornell Medicine (Mason Lab)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 October 2024Research partnership for microgravity experiments on upcoming Blue Origin mission. Focus on human physiology, cell biology, and fluid dynamics experiments. Public can submit and vote on experiment proposals via SERA platform. Dr. Christopher Mason leads the lab.
• University of Austin (UATX) - Overbey LabcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 October 2024Research partnership for microgravity experiments with Dr. Eliah Overbey (professor of bioastronautics). Partners with Mason Lab to enable broader range of countries and cultures to participate in space research. Experiments focus on effects of microgravity on human experience in space.
• Banijay AsiaflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 August 2024Reality show format partnership to document selection of India's first Spacestar. Banijay Asia produces show covering astronaut candidate challenges including High-G tests, underwater diving for spacewalk simulation, and Mars rover assembly. Show culminates in launch livestream.
• Genex SpaceminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2024Space educational technology provider partnership in India for mission awareness. Genex leverages network to spread awareness about the mission and provides mentorship to students in SERA's microgravity research competition.
• NASRDA (National Space Research and Development Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2024Nigeria's national space agency partnership to send the first Nigerian citizen to space. SERA reserved a seat for a Nigerian citizen on upcoming Blue Origin New Shepard flight. Partnership signed by Nigeria's Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology. Learnspace Foundation facilitated the partnership.
• Learnspace FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 June 2024Nigerian NGO dedicated to space education and exploration initiatives in Africa. Led by Dr. Anne Agi (space law expert) who advocated for Nigeria's selection as African country for SERA mission. Played pivotal role in bringing NASRDA partnership to fruition.
• Blue OrigincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Flagship partnership for human spaceflight program. Blue Origin provides New Shepard suborbital rocket flights for citizen astronauts. SERA reserved all six seats on a future New Shepard mission. Five seats allocated to partner nations with few/no astronauts; sixth seat open globally. Includes astronaut training at Blue Origin's West Texas launch site.
• MSRO (Maldives Space and Research Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership to bring space program to Small Island Developing States (SIDS). SIDS nations represented through MSRO President Madin Maseeh. A citizen from SIDS nations will have opportunity to go to space on Blue Origin New Shepard. MSRO designing science experiment for Maldives environmental challenges.
• Cornell University LabscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as partner on SERA website alongside Weill Cornell Medicine for research collaboration on microgravity science experiments.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Space Perspective: Space Perspective markets stratospheric capsule flights via SpaceNeptune balloon for space tourism. It competes for the same near-space experience dollar as SERA's suborbital offering, though at a lower altitude and price point.
• MoonDAO: MoonDAO is a decentralized autonomous organization that used a DAO-governed voting process to send a member to space via Blue Origin. It mirrors SERA's Web3-native, community-driven citizen-astronaut model.
• Space Adventures: Space Adventures has brokered private citizen flights to the ISS aboard Soyuz since 2001. It is the closest historical analog to SERA as a citizen spaceflight brokerage targeting non-traditional astronaut markets.
• World View Enterprises: World View offers stratospheric balloon flights for tourism, research, and communications. It is comparable to SERA as a near-space experience provider targeting non-astronaut customers and research payloads.
• Zero Gravity Corporation: ZERO-G operates parabolic flights that simulate microgravity for both consumer experience and research payloads. It is comparable to SERA as an entry-level space experience and microgravity research platform.

Broad incumbents

• Polaris Program: The Polaris Program is a private human spaceflight initiative by Jared Isaacman that funded and flew Dragon missions including the first commercial spacewalk. It overlaps with SERA's mission of expanding private citizen access to space.
• Axiom Space: Axiom Space organizes private astronaut missions to the International Space Station and is building a commercial space station. It is comparable as a private human spaceflight orchestrator serving sovereign and private customers.
• Blue Origin: Blue Origin is SERA's launch partner and seat supplier (New Shepard), but also a competitor in the broader suborbital space tourism market with its own astronaut experience sales. SERA's model is entirely dependent on Blue Origin's vehicle availability.
• Virgin Galactic: Virgin Galactic operates suborbital spaceflights for paying customers aboard VSS Unity/Spaceship class vehicles. It overlaps with SERA on suborbital space tourism but serves a high-net-worth, self-paid customer rather than a community-led model.

Others

• Galactic Unite: Galactic Unite is Virgin Galactic's affiliated education and outreach foundation. It is adjacent to SERA's mission of using spaceflight to drive STEM engagement in underrepresented communities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/seraspaceage
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCYX2J8A3INcsNkCEgvhJQmA
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• Instagraminstagram.com/seraspaceage
• TikToktiktok.com/@seraspaceag
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/seraspaceage

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Space Exploration and Research Agency