Three Applications of Space Technology in Bitcoin Infrastructure

+ Interplanetary Bitcoin Mining

1. Satellite Downlink for Blockchain Distribution:
Bitcoin's blockchain is a large, shared dataset essential for all Bitcoin nodes. Broadcasting this data via satellite solves the challenge of maintaining node synchronization in areas with limited internet connectivity. For example, Blockstream Satellite operates a network of six geostationary satellites that continuously transmit Bitcoin's blockchain globally.

2. Satellite Uplink for Transaction Transmission:
Bitcoin transactions are relatively small data packets that can be efficiently distributed worldwide via satellite uplink. This is particularly useful in regions lacking reliable internet infrastructure, ensuring global access to the Bitcoin network.

3. Orbital Hardware Security Modules (HSMs):
Satellites, due to their remote and tamper-resistant nature, can serve as ideal platforms for secure Bitcoin transaction signing in multi-signature or threshold signature schemes. The inherent difficulty in physically accessing or tampering with satellites makes them an ideal platform for securing critical cryptographic functions. An orbital HSM could serve as one component in a multi-signature or threshold signature scheme for Bitcoin transactions. For instance, in a 2-of-3 multisig setup, one of the required keys could be stored and managed by a satellite-based HSM, adding an extra layer of security against potential hacks or compromises of ground-based systems.

Interplanetary Bitcoin Mining

You can run a node and broadcast transactions from any distance if you don't care about contributing blocks, but (assuming no protocol changes), 5 light minutes is the maximum distance from Earth that a Bitcoin miner could participate in the network.

This is because blocks are created every 10 minutes. A miner must receive the last block, find the next hash, and then transmit it before any block on Earth. This means a miner 2.5 light minutes from Earth has 50% less time to find a block, and so on.

What objects are within this radius?

• ✅ Moon: ~1.28 light seconds

• ✅ Lagrange Points (L1, L2, L4, L5): ~5 light seconds

• 🤔 Venus: ~2.43 light minutes

• 🤔 Mercury: ~3.22 light minutes

• ❌ Mars: ~3.03 to ~12.68 light minutes