According to people acquainted with the project, DogeDesigner (@cb doge), in a tweet today, has confirmed that the DOGE-1 journey to the moon won't launch until March 1, 2023.
DOGE-1 Mission will launch no earlier than March 2023, as confirmed by @SamuelReidGEC @GeometricEnergy @YourTimeInSpace
— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) December 31, 2022
This mission is completely funded by Dogecoin, thus becoming the first space mission funded by a cryptocurrency. pic.twitter.com/cMWk0yL9lF
It puts to rest any rumors that DOGE-1 will be one of the 114 satellite payloads on the first Falcon 9 mission in 2023, as stated by SpaceX yesterday, even though the exact date of the space voyage is still unknown. Notably, Tuesday of next week is set aside for the first SpaceX launch of 2023.
There are 114 payloads on this flight, including CubeSats, microsats, picosats, and orbital transfer vehicles carrying spacecraft to be deployed at a later time
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) December 30, 2022
Samuel Reid, CEO of Geometric Energy Corporation, tweeted about the timeline for March 2023 on November 28. On December 12, Reid added his own reiteration. Given that Geometric Energy will be in charge of the mission, this lends credibility to the information provided by the Dogecoin Foundation graphics designer today.
Yes, DOGE-1 is NET (No Earlier Than) March 1, 2023
— SΔMUΞL RΞIÐ (@SamuelReidGEC) December 12, 2022
DOGE-1 is a cube-shaped spacecraft that aims to gather data about the moon using cameras and sensors. It is the first fully-funded commercial payload made possible by cryptocurrencies. Elon Musk's SpaceX intends to show the value of cryptocurrency in orbit with this expedition.
In May of last year, Musk revealed the mission, adding fuel to the bullish DOGE to the Moon story. The principal payload, the Intuitive Machines satellite, was not ready when the mission was meant to launch this year, according to people familiar with the situation.
Reid predicts that DOGE-1 will reach the moon in April alongside IM-1.
Thank you! Though to clarify, the Geometric-1 Mission to Earth Orbit which includes the display screen in a cubesat (not yet to the moon) is October 1, 2022, whereas the DOGE-1 Mission will reach the moon when IM-1 does which is to be announced when it will happen. #DOGE-1
— SΔMUΞL RΞIÐ (@SamuelReidGEC) April 1, 2022
In particular, DOGE-1, which may have a positive effect on the price of Dogecoin, was one of the factors that led well-known DOGE influencer Matt Wallace to stake his YouTube channel on DOGE, securing the $1 price milestone in 2022.