SpaceX will launch the “Dodge-1 mission to the moon” next year, and the dog is being paid to use the meme-inspired, embarrassing-wet cryptocurrency Dogecoin. (Now imagine someone 100 years ago explaining that sentence. Hell, even 15 years ago.) The DOGE-1 mission to the moon, in collaboration with Geometric Energy Corporation, will see SpaceX send a 40-kilogram (88-pound) minisatellite to the moon on a Falcon 9 rocket in the first quarter of 2022.
Will be used sort lunar surface data using payload sensors and onboard cameras. Geometric Energy Corporation confirmed the plans on Sunday, May 9, and revealed that the mission would be provided for the use of Dogecoin. However, the agency did not disclose the financial value of the mission.
“This mission will demonstrate the application of cryptocurrency beyond Earth’s orbit and lay the groundwork for interdisciplinary trade,” said Tom Ochinero, vice president of commercial sales at SpaceX, in a press release. “We’re looking forward to launching Dog-1 on the moon!” Elon Musk regularly mentions his penchant for Dogecoin on Twitter and even hints at the plan by tweeting about putting “literally Dogecoin” on the moon. However, the off-hand statement cracked on April fool’s Day, with most people taking it for granted. As it turns out, it was deadly serious.
Samuel Reid, chief executive officer of Geometric Energy, added, “After formally transacting with Doggy for a deal of this magnitude, Geometric Energy Corporation and SpaceX have consolidated DOGE as the unit of account for lunar business in the space sector.” Dogecoin is an open source peer-to-peer digital currency that was established as a fun and friendly alternative to the overly sincere world of cryptocurrency. Its name – “Doje” pronounced with a soft G – refers to an internet meme seen with the Shiva Inu dog that appeared in the glorious days of Tumblr in the early 2010s.
Dogecoin cryptocurrency was founded in 2013 as a joke, but it recently became the fourth largest cryptocurrency by market value, up 14,000 percent since January 2021. Cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin and Ethereum are becoming more widely recognized as payments, while Dogecoin is currently only accepted by a few small businesses and platforms (private space travel is obviously one of them). Musk has widely praised the profile of Dogecoin through his online satire. Cryptocurrency was also encouraged when Tesla tweeted that it would soon accept Dogecoin as payment.
On the other hand, when he recently appeared on the comedy sketch show Saturday Night Live, he sharpened its value by describing it as a “rush”. While assured for sure, you will definitely not hear of this surreal love of Cryptocurrency and internet memes.
