A Guide to The SMART (S) Visa (Part 2): Interview of Rod Mamin
For this second part of our Guide to the Smart (S) Visa, Rod Mamin kindly accepted to tell us about LunCo, his exciting decentralized space exploration startup founded in Koh Pha Ngan, and share his experience with the Smart visa.
Rod is a Space Systems Engineer and the founder of LunCo (the Lunar Company). He is an early DeSci contributor and the main organizer of HyperDesci, a hyperstructure that helps DeSci projects access funding. He is very active in leading DeSci Gitcoin rounds and bringing attention to DeSci.
Can you give a brief overview of the work you are doing on LunCo and the latest release you have made?
LunCo’s mission is to contribute to making humanity a multiplanetary species by allowing anyong to design and operate colonies on Mars and Moon.
Our main product is an open-source space mission design tool that facilitates collaboration among engineers. The platform allows users to share models and reports efficiently, similar to how CVS git enables code sharing. LunCo also features a game mode that is designed to make space engineering education both engaging and interactive. This mode allows students and enthusiasts to learn about space missions by participating in simulated scenarios and tasks.
Lunco features a detailed 3D simulation of the moon surface. Is it realistic?
Yes, LunCo’s 3D simulation of the moon’s surface is designed to be highly realistic. It utilizes advanced simulation technologies to provide accurate representations, helping engineers and researchers in planning and executing lunar missions with greater precision. LunCo also includes integration with CCSDS space standards and state-of-the-art simulation technologies like FluidX3D, to enhance its capability for realistic mission planning and robotic simulations.
How does LunCo utilize decentralized storage and computation?
LunCo leverages decentralized technologies like IPFS for mission design sharing, ensuring that data is securely stored and easily accessible. This approach not only enhances data integrity but also allows for efficient collaboration among users worldwide without reliance on centralized servers. Users can also mint their lunar mission designs as NFTs.
What are your current and future plans for LunCo?
Currently, we are focused on improving the platform’s functionalities and expanding its user base. Hiring Godot engineers is part of our strategy to enhance the platform. Future plans include further integration with web3 technologies, expanding our collaborative environments, and establishing LunCo as the de facto standard for decentralized, permissionless space mission planning within the next 3–5 years.
You started LunCo out of Koh Pha Ngan with a Smart (S) visa. Did you initially arrive with a tourist visa?
Yes, I arrived on a tourist visa, at the start of the pandemic. I needed a quiet and inspiring place, so Koh Pha Ngan was ideal. I was then able to convert my visa into a six months Smart (S) visa.
Any tips for entrepreneurs applying for the Smart Visa?
The process was pretty simple and straightforward. I followed the steps outlined on the SMART Visa section of the Board of Investment website and prepared a PowerPoint presenting my startup. The requirements are not that difficult to meet, for the first application.
Did you later face any issues and how do you think the Smart Visa program could be improved to better support startups and entrepreneurs in Thailand?
One difficulty initially was that you have to pay for your own insurance and navigate all the offerings to make sure that you meet the requirements. Later, I tried to extend my visa but it is only possible for one year and you have to show 20k THB of revenue, which wasn’t easy at the early stage LunCo was in, at the time. Lastly, and to make matters more difficult, the six months visa does not allow you to open a local bank account. This made it difficult to operate and I had to eventually resettle in a different country. I think the program could be improved by being more flexible with early stage startups trying to reach product-market fit.
