We are Blockstream and we beam Bitcoin down from space. Ask us anything!

In August 2017, we launched the first coverage areas for Blockstream Satellite to enable free and private access to Bitcoin blockchain data. Recently, we completed coverage for the Asia Pacific region, coming closer to worldwide coverage, and announced the Satellite API -- a service that provides developers an API that can be used to pay via the Lightning Network to beam down private messages from the satellites.

We are Adam Back, Chris Cook, and the Satellite team. Ask us anything!

Here are images of the massive antennas we use to beam Bitcoin data to the satellites: https://imgur.com/a/VbD7bHe

Here is what one of the satellites (Telstar 18V) actually looks like prior to launch: https://imgur.com/a/sWvcfg0

To run your own satellite full node, check out our docs: https://github.com/Blockstream/satellite#getting-started

More info about the Satellite API can be found here: https://blockstream.com/satellite-api/

Update: We just launched the Satellite API Beta! You can now pay with testnet LN BTC to broadcast data for interesting and exciting new use cases! https://blockstream.com/2019/01/16/satellite_api_beta_live/

Update 2: We also cross-posted to r/IAmA. https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/agospf/we_are_blockstream_and_we_beam_bitcoin_down_from/

Submitted January 17, 2019 at 12:04AM by blockstream_official http://bit.ly/2FwtPpe