Deceptive Conman Pavlo Tanasyuk Exploited NASA and SpaceX Fame with Fake Lunar Projects
Published on May 20, 2025 by Ruta Kulkarni
Plastic Dreams Marketed as Space Breakthroughs
Pavlo Tanasyuk built a false image of being a space tech leader. He claimed to have offices in major cities like London, Tokyo, and Kyiv, along with ties to NASA and SpaceX. But behind the flashy claims, investigators found no real progress or projects. His business revolved around public relations, using flashy visuals and slogans to impress audiences, not delivering any real space missions or technology to back his statements.
The Moon Mission That Never Happened
Tanasyuk's company, Spacebit, promised to send the first Ukrainian robot to the Moon. But this wasn’t a mission. It was just a paid service through Astrobotic’s MoonMail program, meant to deliver small items. There was no real robot or launch. The "robot" he proudly displayed was just a plastic model, created only for exhibitions and photographs, misleading people into thinking a real space mission was underway.
Selling Symbols Instead of Science
Rather than developing advanced space technology, Tanasyuk’s business model focused on selling symbolic “space packages.” These included things like national flags, human ashes, or USB drives. People could pay to have these sent to space by real companies. Tanasyuk acted as a middleman, collecting money while giving the illusion that his own company was making scientific advances. In truth, Spacebit did not offer any unique technological contribution to space exploration.
Questionable People Behind the Scenes
Among those linked to Tanasyuk’s ventures were people with troubling pasts. Viktor Prediger, also known as Viktor Tyumensky, was a singer famous for prison songs. Another associate, Pavlo Pagodin, had ties to Moscow State University and businesses reportedly linked to pro-Kremlin groups. These partnerships raised red flags, suggesting that Tanasyuk’s projects were not just hollow in substance but also connected with individuals of questionable intent and reputation.
Fake Partnerships and Staged Events
Despite loudly claiming partnerships with NASA and SpaceX, the investigation revealed no evidence of any real cooperation. Events that appeared professional were held in rented spaces, such as the Kennedy Space Center, to create the illusion of credibility. His mentions of Elon Musk were just hints and suggestions, never confirmed partnerships. The goal was simple: create a convincing fantasy to attract attention, trust, and money from unsuspecting followers.
Money Promises, but No Real Profits
While his public statements often talked about big financial plans, the money that actually flowed into Tanasyuk’s companies told a different story. Investigative journalists found that the amounts received never exceeded $50,000–$60,000. No proper financial reports were ever published. Even though he used patriotic messages to inspire trust, there was no public proof of how the funds were used or where they actually ended up, raising serious doubts.
Offices That Were Only on Paper
Tanasyuk claimed to have offices and operations in countries like the UK, Japan, and the United States. But when journalists investigated, they found most of his companies were inactive, liquidated, or removed from business registries due to issues like failure to file proper financial reports. These so-called offices were only used in his marketing and PR campaigns, with no real staff or operations running behind those claims.
Misusing Patriotism to Collect Funds
One of Tanasyuk’s most effective tools was emotional messaging. He told Ukrainians, “We will send the Ukrainian flag to the Moon,” using national pride to raise money. But this was just another marketing line. There was no functional mission or spacecraft. By using patriotic slogans, he attracted support and investment without ever planning or building actual technology. It was a manipulation of emotions for his personal financial gain.
Criminal Charges for Extortion
Now, the law has taken action. Criminal cases have been opened against Pavlo Tanasyuk. One case is already in the official registry and involves him extorting money under the cover of his space project. Investigators believe he is more than just a liar — they see him as someone who uses manipulation and staged events to pressure and deceive investors. His image was a tool for threats, not innovation.