Independent developer Space Enigma Studios launched a Kickstarter project over the weekend, in pursuit of crowdfunding for Space Pioneer, an ambitious sci-fi exploration game with RTS elements, that promises to be heavily grounded in humanity's scientific history.

The project's biggest hook is that several bonafide Russian cosmonauts/astronauts, notable scientists and veteran sci-fi writers are attached, with the pitch naming decorated cosmonauts Sergei Krikalev -- the current world record holder for most time spent in space (803 days) -- Sergei Avdeyev and Aleksandr Lazutkin, among other contributors purporting to be notable Eastern European scientists and sci-fi writers, journalists and screenwriters.

Our team consists of world famous astronauts, engineers, designers, programmers, artists and architects who allow us to construct a game that will be the most accurate virtual representation of our universe to date. Space Pioneer aims to be a game that is uncompromisingly entertaining and educational.

Our game chiefly focuses on interstellar exploration; it is based on images and resources from the Hubble telescope, ESA/NASA, and numerous well known observatories. The player will be able to pilot a fully customizable spaceship into the vast regions of our universe and can colonize other planets beyond our solar system. In addition, he or she can research different scientifically accurate theories to upgrade their spaceship, build vast space stations and terra-form inhospitable planets.

On a more cautious note, the Kickstarter page for Space Pioneer features a wealth of information about the intended game's premise and design plans, and detailed bio's of the project's scientific contributors, but offers very little in the way of actual game development credibility -- with no mention of any past games that the Space Enigma Studios dev team have shipped.

The project is targeting an initial US$150,000 goal, eschewing traditional publishing partners to avoid having to "alter and dumb down our game to appease the higher ups".

Watch the somewhat awkward pitch video below featuring cosmonaut Aleksandr Lazutkin and visit Kickstarter for more details.