From app to space, Finnish startup Space Nation is trying to find an astronaut via a mobile game. - Space Nation
Finnish startup Space Nation is looking for Earth's next civilian astronaut with an unorthodox selection process: via a mobile game.
The Space Nation Navigator app, developed in partnership with Nasa astronaut trainers, aimed to teach the public what it takes to be an astronaut.
"As crazy as it sounds, downloading the app could really be your first step on a journey to visit space,” said Space Nation CEO Kalle Vähä-Jaakkola, who added that such efforts were to push for the democratization of space.
Space Nation CCO Mazdak Nassir said the app is the first training tool for civilian pioneers of future space travel and the first step in the Space Nation Astronaut Program: a global competition to select one candidate for a trip to space.
The top 100 users of the app will take part in bootcamps with real Nasa astronaut trainers, who will select 12 people from the bunch to compete in a filmed series, while the overall winner of that series will secure a trip into space
The app gamifies the astronaut training process, providing minigames, quizzes, fitness challenges and narrative adventures for users to complete.
Based on their performance, users will be placed on a leaderboard that is reset weekly.
Users will be able to unlock achievements and become eligible for prizes and astronaut training experiences.
According to the app's page, the four best performers would win a trip to Iceland moon-like landscapes for the first phase of the programme.
The second and third phases were not yet revealed, though one candidate will go to space as a Space Nation Astronaut every year.
The contest is planned to run annually, and is open to users of any age, nationality, education or background.
The launch today coincides with the first human space flight on April 12, 1961 by Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin.
Currently, the Space Nation Navigator app is only available for download in the Google Play Store, though an iOS version is slated to be released soon.
Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.
