Partnership enables the sending of works inspired by the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN to the lunar surface. The initiative aims to demonstrate how creativity, when integrated with blockchain and space technologies, can expand the boundaries of art and deepen its social impact.
The selected works will be stored in a permanent archive on the lunar surface, using Nanofiche technology designed to withstand the extreme conditions of space. They will be part of the Astrobotic Griffin-1 mission, linked to NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, with a launch expected to occur from Cape Canaveral, Florida, after November 2025.
Sending culture into space
Each work will be registered on the lunar surface in a format resistant to space conditions, with no defined expiration date. The initiative involves sending static images, covering digital art, photography, illustration, painting, or mixed media. Creators can submit pieces addressing themes such as climate action, quality education, gender equality, clean energy, or sustainable innovation.
In an interview with BeInCrypto, Scott Spiegel, co-founder and CEO of BitBasel, detailed how blockchain technology helps ensure the authenticity and preservation of the works involved in this type of initiative:
For each digital artwork, we will document its entire chain of custody: who prepared it, when it was added to the payload, and how it arrived on the Moon. These records will be incorporated into the metadata and used to establish the verifiable provenance of each file. Once this data is immutably recorded on the blockchain, we can issue a cryptographic certificate 'Moon Verified Token'. It represents both the original artwork and the historic achievement of its landing on the lunar surface, he said.
A curatorial committee will review the proposals received by the final deadline of May 9. Members of this group include representatives from BitBasel, Polkadot, Galactic Library Preserve Humanity (GLPH), and the Blockchain Laboratory at the University of Florida. The approved works will be integrated into the lunar archive, and their authors will be formally recorded as part of the mission.
Spiegel highlights: 'This is a unique opportunity for artists to engrave their values in history – literally.' According to Spiegel, the partnership with Polkadot expands the reach of the initiative within the Web3 ecosystem.
Technical challenges and the role of blockchain in cultural preservation
The preservation of artworks on the lunar surface involves a series of technological challenges, especially related to the extreme conditions of space. According to Scott Spiegel, 'the main challenges are related to the complexities of lunar landings.' Although NASA and its partners have made significant advances, he emphasizes that 'lunar missions still present risks – some have been successful, while others have failed.'
To ensure the integrity of the material, the payload must withstand extreme temperature variations, high levels of radiation, and mechanical stresses during transport and landing. The reliability of the project therefore depends on collaboration with experienced aerospace engineers.
In addition to the technical aspect, the project reinforces the connection between digital art and blockchain, with direct impacts on the adoption of Web3. Spiegel asserts that this integration 'demonstrates a real application of blockchain as a tool for digital provenance, authenticity, and narrative.'
By associating each work with a verifiable record, the program enhances the understanding of how technology can act in valuing culture and documenting artistic creations. 'This inspires creators to explore new frontiers with Web3,' concludes the executive.
The final deadline for applications is May 9, and you can learn more and register by clicking here.
The article Artworks will be sent to the Moon and preserved with blockchain technology was first seen on BeInCrypto Brazil.
