US-based Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA) on Tuesday announced astronaut selection for a Blue Origin New Shepard flight, with India among five partner nations assured of a seat as part of its human spaceflight programme.

Alongside India, Nigeria, Indonesia, Brazil, and Thailand, will see one of its citizens secure a seat, while a sixth spot is open to applicants from all non-sanctioned countries.

The agency said through its new decentralized programme, it aims to democratize access to space. The selection is being run through a Telegram mini app called Mission Control, powered by the TON blockchain. Indian participants can apply directly and earn ‘SpaceDust’ points by completing challenges and contributing to mission activities, which will decide who makes it aboard.

SERA said anyone with a smartphone can participate in either becoming or selecting an astronaut to fly on the upcoming Blue Origin New Shepard mission.

“We are excited to open this platform and invite the world to join us on this mission. This is the first time a space programme has been in the hands of the people,” said Joshua Skurla, cofounder of SERA.

Blue Origin said the collaboration will further its long-term goal of enabling millions to live and work in space.

Alongside astronaut selection, the programme will also allow the global community to propose and vote on microgravity experiments via SERA’s science platform, opening opportunities for Indian students, researchers, and innovators to take part in space-based research.

SERA cofounder Sam Hutchison said by building on TON the agency has created a “one-of-a-kind system that empowers the global community to not only participate in the journey but to directly select who goes to space.” He added that this is the future of space exploration which is built for everyone.

Through the mission, the selected astronauts will embark on an 11-minute journey past the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space at 100 km above Earth and then make a landing.