SpaceX Launching Satellite to Display Billboard Ads in Space

You'll be able to purchase advertising space using Dogecoin.

Orbital Billboards

SpaceX is partnering with a Canadian tech startup to launch a digital billboard into orbit. 

Samuel Reid, CEO and co-founder of Geometric Energy Corporation (GEC), said that his company is partnering with SpaceX to launch a small advertisement satellite into space, according to Insider. The satellite will have a screen on one side where people and companies can bid to have their logos and advertisements displayed, along with a "selfie stick" that'll snap photos of the ads with the Earth in the background. Thankfully, the system won't be visible from the ground — though others have pondered a system like that.

"There might be companies which want to depict their logo... or it might end up being a bit more personal and artistic," Reid said to Insider. "Maybe Coca-Cola and Pepsi will fight over their logo and reclaim over each other."

Crypto for Tokens for Pixels

The process of purchasing advertising space on the satellite is a bit complex but fairly interesting. For one, anyone will be able to purchase digital advertising space so long as you pay more than someone else bidding. 

"I'm trying to achieve something that can democratize access to space and allow for decentralized participation," Reid said to Insider. "Hopefully, people don't waste money on something inappropriate, insulting or offensive."

Yeah, we wouldn’t hold our breath for that. 

You’ll also have to purchase tokens in order to stake pixel space on the satellite. There are five tokens you’ll be able to buy: Gamma, which determines the brightness of the display; Kappa, which determines the color; Beta, which determines the X coordinate; Rhoe, which determines the Y coordinate; and Xi, which determines the time your ad will be displayed. 

Folks will also be able to purchase tokens using cryptocurrencies. Reid said that he wants to eventually have Dogecoin be an acceptable form of payment. 

Lucrative Partnership

SpaceX has yet to comment on this partnership — so there’s a chance that it might not even come to fruition. 

However, Reid said that GEC had been vying for the aeronautics company’s attention since 2018. It wasn’t until Reid taught a few of Musk’s kids at the Ad Astra school that the company heard his proposal, according to Insider. 

So take this all with a grain of salt. However, if it goes through, it’ll mark a rather foreboding milestone. After all, not even the stars and galaxies we all gaze at will be safe from the dark maw of capitalism. 

Updated with additional details.

READ MORE: SpaceX and a Canadian startup plan to launch a satellite that will beam adverts into space. Anyone can buy pixels on the satellite's screen with dogecoin. [Insider]

More on space ads: This Startup Wants to Launch Giant Glowing Ads Into the Night Sky