‘Space Kingdom’ Seeks Citizens for Life beyond Earth

 

Anyone who wishes to truly get away from life on Earth may want to consider becoming a citizen of Asgardia. The nation hopes to build a permanent settlement on the moon.

Asgardia was founded in 2016. Its organizers say it has about 200,000 citizens. It also has a constitution and an elected parliament¹. Asgardia’s leader is Igor Ashurbeyli. He is a Russian engineer, computer scientist and businessman. He was inaugurated³ June 25.

Asgardians have big plans. They want to build up a population of 150 million people within 10 years. They also plan to operate space ships in outer space where humans can live permanently⁴.

Ashurbeyli gave his first speech as president to several hundred people in Vienna, Austria. In the speech, he said “This day will certainly be recorded in the annals of the greatest events in the history of humankind.”

He added, “We have thus established all branches of government. I can therefore declare with confidence that Asgardia – the first space nation of the united humankind – has been born.”

Asgardia is named after Asgard, a world in the sky in the ancient mythology⁵ of Northern Europe.

Organizers say Asgardia has citizens who now live in more than 200 countries. A person can become a citizen online for free.

Asgardians say they want to interest the 2 percent of the world’s population that is “most creative.”

Ashurbeyli said he wants to have satellites providing worldwide Internet access in five to seven years. He also wants space ships operating in 10 to 15 years, and to establish a permanent settlement on the moon within 25 years.

Asgardians now pay a yearly⁶ membership⁷ fee of about $125. The nation plans to collect taxes on businesses and private income. But it says those taxes will be kept very low.

I’m Jonathan Evans.

Words in This Story

inaugurate² – v. to introduce someone, such as a newly⁸ elected official into a job or position with a formal ceremony

annals –n. historical records

mythology – n. the myths of a particular group or culture

1 Parliament   

n.议会，国会

参考例句：

• She won a seat in Parliament at the election.她在选举中赢得了议会中的席位。
• The drug was banned by an act of parliament.议会的法案明令禁止该药品。

2 inaugurate   

vt.为..举行就职典礼，为展览会揭幕，开创

参考例句：

• We inaugurate a new era of customizing english teaching.我们开创定制英语教学新时代。
• To inaugurate a new situation of spiritual civilization construction.开创精神文明建设的新局面。

3 inaugurated   

为…举行就职典礼( inaugurate的过去式和过去分词 )； 为…举行仪式，为…举行落成[开幕]仪式； 开创，创始

参考例句：

• Mr. Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation. 普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。
• Concord inaugurated a new era in airplane travel. 协和飞机开创了空中旅行的新纪元。

4 permanently   

adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地

参考例句：

• The accident left him permanently scarred.那次事故给他留下了永久的伤疤。
• The ship is now permanently moored on the Thames in London.该船现在永久地停泊在伦敦泰晤士河边。

5 mythology   

n.神话，神话学，神话集

参考例句：

• In Greek mythology,Zeus was the ruler of Gods and men.在希腊神话中，宙斯是众神和人类的统治者。
• He is the hero of Greek mythology.他是希腊民间传说中的英雄。

6 yearly   

adj.每年的，一年一度的；adv.一年一次地

参考例句：

• The flower show is a yearly event in our town.我们镇上的花展一年举行一次。
• The yearly rental of her house is 2400 yuan.她这房子年租金是2400元。

7 membership   

n.成员资格，会员全体，从属关系

参考例句：

• I must renew my membership of the sailing club.我必须延续我的航海俱乐部会员的资格。
• He made up his mind to apply for membership in the Party.他决心申请入党。

8 newly   

adv.新近，最近；重新，再度；以新的方式

参考例句：

• Have you reviewed for this newly published novel?你给这本新出版的小说写书评了吗？
• It is a newly planted tree and it has not established yet.这是一颗新栽的树，还没有扎下根来。