A Space Project with Military Roots

Since October 2016, Asgardia has presented itself as humanity's first “space nation,” led by Igor Ashurbeyli and claiming 1.17 million global citizens. Behind this futuristic facade lie troubling links to the Russian military-industrial complex that call into question the project's proclaimed independence.

Igor Ashurbeyli: From the Russian Arsenal to Space

Igor Ashurbeyli, founder of Asgardia, is not the space philanthropist he claims to be. From 2000 to 2011, he headed NPO Almaz-Antey, a Russian defense giant responsible for developing the S-300, S-400, and S-500 missile systems. These same weapons are now being deployed en masse by Russia against Ukraine, notably the S-300s used to bomb Zaporizhzhia in 2022.

Described as the “chief ideologist of Russian air defense,” Ashurbeyli bears direct responsibility for the development of Russia's current military capabilities. Since 2016, he has also led the Russian Renaissance Party, revealing a problematic dual allegiance.
An Opaque Financial Empire
Ashurbeyli's fortune, estimated at $176 million, comes from his holding company Socium and extends across Europe through a complex network including:

• Luxury properties in Greece (villa and restaurant in Corfu)
• Companies in Austria, France, Monaco, and Cyprus via Socium-A
• Offshore companies in Malta and the British Virgin Islands

Asgardia's funding remains mysterious, officially relying on Ashurbeyli's “personal funding,” citizenship fees of €100/year, and a cryptocurrency called SOLAR with opaque mechanisms. For colossal space ambitions—orbital stations, lunar colonies—these sources seem insufficient and non-transparent.

Concerning Massive Data Collection
Although this collection was carried out with the full consent of the members, more than a million people provided their personal data to Asgardia, creating a considerable database managed by the former head of a Russian military complex, a massive collection that raises obvious security questions in the current geopolitical context. Furthermore, the way in which this data is stored does not comply with the concepts of the GDPR or other regulations.

A Suspicious Absence of Sanctions
Despite his central role in the development of Russian weapons systems used against Ukraine, Ashurbeyli does not appear on any Western sanctions lists. This exemption contrasts with the fate of Almaz-Antey, which has been heavily sanctioned since 2014, allowing the family to maintain their European lifestyle.

A Disguised Soft Power Tool?
Some experts view Asgardia as a potential Russian soft power tool that could be used to:

• Circumvent international space treaties
• Collect data on one million international citizens
• Develop geopolitical influence under the guise of science
• Legitimize Russian space expansion through internationalism

Meager Achievements:
After nine years of existence, Asgardia has only launched one nanosatellite (Asgardia-1). Grandiose plans for space stations and lunar colonies remain mere announcements, reminiscent of marketing campaigns such as Mars One.

An Urgent Regulatory Challenge
The Asgardia case reveals the urgent need to adapt international frameworks to the new challenges of private space exploration. European authorities should examine:

• Socium-A's financial activities in the EU
• The legality of mass data collection
• The opportunity to extend sanctions to Ashurbeyli
• Control mechanisms for space projects with geopolitical implications

Conclusion: Space Vigilance Necessary
Asgardia perfectly illustrates the new vectors of geopolitical influence in the 21st century. Behind its humanistic space ambitions lie potentially less honorable objectives, driven by a man with deep ties to the Russian military-industrial complex. Let us not forget that this man was also the president of a political party, albeit an opposition party, but a Russian political party nonetheless.

This “space nation” could represent one of the most sophisticated forms of contemporary soft power, exploiting legitimate aspirations for space exploration to serve geopolitical agendas. Such sophistication requires the utmost vigilance on the part of democracies committed to preserving space as an arena for peaceful cooperation, free from terrestrial rivalries and manipulative influence.

Mehdi Khouli for n816 Media.

#asgardia #press #media #softpower

References:

1 - sciencesetavenir.fr/espace/un-…
2 - https://trap.org.ua/en/publications/yevrolihvo-zaharbnyka-iak-ideoloh-rosiyskoho-ppo-pidkoriuie-kosmos-ta-zahrozhuie-yevropi/
3 - https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/07/15/trap-aggressor-key-russian-defense-complex-businessman-not-sanctioned-lives-lavishly-in-europe/
4 - stopfake.org/en/russian-arms-m…
5 - https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/space-kingdom-seeks-citizens-for-life-beyond-earth-very-soon-idUSKBN1JL2MB/