Asgardia,the world's first ''space nation.'' (Phote: Asgardia's website)

More than 25,000 people from countries in the European Union have signed up as citizens of the world's first "space nation" Asgardia, reported Euronews. 

Asgardia – named after a Norse mythological city of the skies – describes itself as a "global, unifying and humanitarian project." Its founding principles include ensuring the peaceful use of space and protecting planet Earth. 

The idea came from billionaire Russian computer scientist Dr Igor Ashurbeyli, who has already confirmed the first 200,000 citizens from the initial 500,000 applicants. Anyone over the age of 18 with an email address is allowed to join Asgardia, provided that they agree to adopt its constitution.

According to data on Asgardia's website, the US, Turkey and China lead the list of countries whose residents have taken advantage of the free citizenship up till now. 

Earlier this month the Asgardia-1 satellite was launched, which is roughly the size of a loaf of bread and contains digital representations of its flag, constitution and coat of arms as well as the personal details of 18,000 Asgardia's citizens including things such as family photographs. 

It is reported that Dr Ashurbeyli has plans to convince the UN to recognise Asgardia as a nation, however, it is currently not recognized by any country on Earth.