how the
skymapper
network works

SkyMapper is a decentralized optical observatory (DePIN) that links thousands of autonomous and citizen contributed telescopes and all-sky cameras into a single, coordinated network.

WHAT IS
SKYMAPPER

SkyMapper is a decentralized optical observatory that connects thousands of autonomous and citizen-run telescopes via a lightweight gateway (SkyBridge), a developer API and the SkyViewer platform.

SkyBridge performs precise GNSS tagging, on-edge AI quality control and Proof-of-Spatial-Observation (PoSO) so only verified imagery enters the network. Verified frames are written immutably to Akave Cloud, a blockchain-backed distributed object store, establishing a permanent, auditable chain of custody for each capture.

Coupled with transparent tokenomics and gamification, SkyMapper transforms data contribution into verifiable scientific and economic value—attracting astronomers, educators, citizen scientists and commercial operators alike while ensuring reproducible and tamper-proof sky imagery.

how skymapper works

SkyMapper connects compatible telescopes into a global observing network to observe, secure, and share the sky, letting the community control observations, track satellites, and capture real-time images for shared science and discovery.
OBSERVE

smart telescope

Your SkyMapper- compatible smart telescope: remotely automated, digital, connected.

SKYBRIDGE

Secure, observation node that connects users to the network.

skysphere

All-sky surveillance system
for satellites, drones, meteors, UAPs.
secure

skybridge

SkyBridge is your gateway to the SkyMapper network, turning any telescope into a node in the world’s first decentralized sky mapping system. With simple setup, onboard AI, and real-time connectivity, SkyBridge automates observations, streams data securely to the blockchain, and opens the door to collaborative cosmic discovery for everyone, from backyard astronomers to professional researchers.
share

skyviewer

SkyViewer transforms raw data into an interactive window on the universe. Designed for scientists, educators, and citizen explorers, it lets you follow live observations, track campaigns across the globe, and dive into real-time discoveries, all from one intuitive platform, built for collaboration and accessibility.
earn
SkyPoints serve as the versatile internal currency of the SkyMapper network, rewarding users for their contributions while providing access to premium services.
Users Earn points by:
Supporting Telescope Infrastructure through verified uptime and successful observations.
Making Scientific Contributions like uploading high-quality data.
Participating in Community Engagement through referrals and maintaining activity streaks.
These earned points can then be reinvested to unlock Data & Imaging services like professional astrophotography and custom datasets, or to secure Network Actions such as priority telescope time via SkyReserve.

unique value of skybridge:
‍Akave on-chain storage

SkyBridge is the edge gateway that timestamps, validates and pre-processes imagery (GPS timing, on-edge AI QC) before submissions undergo Proof-of-Spatial-Observation (PoSO). Validated frames are stored immutably on Akave Cloud, a blockchain-backed, distributed object store, creating an end-to-end cryptographic chain of custody NGC 7023 Iris Nebula M15 Great Pegasus Cluster C/2025 R2 Swan (comet) that guarantees each frame’s authenticity. This combination enables trustworthy science, reproducibility and auditable evidence.
why it matters
EDGE VALIDATION
GNSS timestamps, AI QC, multi-station corroboration. Rejects fakes and ensures provenance.
tamper-proof storage
Immutable, sharded storage removes single points of failure and preserves a permanent audit trail.
VERIFIABLE PROVENANCE
Critical for reproducible research and legal/operational chain-of-custody.
SkyMapper's data saved in Akave's decentralized oasis. (Source: Akave Cloud)

data verification‍

SkyMapper ensures data integrity through a multi-step, decentralized verification process that creates an immutable "cryptographic fingerprint" for every observation.
Once a smart telescope captures a raw image or telemetry dataset, the full file is uploaded to decentralized storage (Akave Cloud) to maintain availability while keeping costs low. Simultaneously, SkyMapper generates a cryptographic hash of the file’s exact bytes and collects scientifically validated provenance metadata, including the device ID, location, and timestamp.

This metadata and the file's unique identifier are recorded on a dedicated, permissioned blockchain. Because this record is replicated across network nodes, it becomes a permanent proof of the observation's original state. Any user or researcher can later verify the data by recomputing the file's fingerprint; if it matches the on-chain value, the file is proven authentic and untampered.

learn more

Understand how SkyMapper secures end-to-end data integrity with Akave Cloud: capture, provenance, storage, and verification.
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