NASA International Space Apps Challenge

NASA International Space Apps Challenge

Industry	Aerospace
Founded	2012
Headquarters	Global
Website	Space Apps Challenge

The NASA International Space Apps Challenge is the largest global annual hackathon. This two-day event provides an opportunity for participants to utilize NASA's free and open data and its Space Agency Partners' space-based data to address real-world problems on Earth and in space.

During the hackathon, NASA Space Apps Challenge participants around the world gather at hundreds of in-person and virtual local events to address challenges submitted by NASA subject matter experts (SMEs). In the early years, NASA Space Apps was primarily focused on space science and technology. However, in 2017, NASA Space Apps moved to the NASA Earth Science Division and expanded to include Earth science and technology. Today, NASA Space Apps features arts and humanities alongside technology challenges, building a more inclusive program with broader appeal. These challenges range in complexity and topic, tasking participants with everything from creating artistic visualizations of NASA data to conceptualizing and developing informational apps and software programs.

The program, formerly run by NASA's Office of the Chief Information Officer, is part of NASA's Science Mission Directorate and is a part of the Open Government Initiative founded under President Barack Obama. It also fulfills the United States’ commitments to the Open Government Partnership. The United States released its National Action Plan for the Open Government Partnership in September 2011, including a commitment to hold the NASA International Space Apps Challenge to “promote innovation through international collaboration”. Today, NASA Space Apps is managed by the Earth Science Division, Science Mission Directorate, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC.

NASA Space Apps fosters interest in Earth and space science, technology, and exploration and encourages the growth and diversity of the next generation of problem solvers, innovators, leaders and entrepreneurs. NASA Space Apps has engaged 373,000+ registrants from 185+ countries/territories.

NASA collaborates with international Space Agency Partners on the NASA Space Apps Challenge to encourage more extensive global collaboration and provides a broader platform for participants to contribute to the fields of Earth and space science and technology through NASA Space Apps.

After the NASA Space Apps Challenge concludes, each Local Event nominates teams with the top projects for Global Judging. The number of nominees depends on the number of projects submitted at each event. Local Events also may select an additional team for the Local People's Choice Award. Teams are also selected from the Universal Event to proceed to Global Judging.

Each year, NASA attempts to invite Global Winners and Local Leads from winning locations to a NASA spacecraft launch. Global Winners are also featured on the NASA Space Apps website and social media.

In 2013, Mars Exploration Program offered the NASA Space Apps 2012 Global Winners the opportunity to attend the launch of MAVEN, a Mars Orbiter. Kennedy Space Center also provided winners of their challenges that opportunity. The launch occurred on November 18, 2013, on an Atlas V 401 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

NASA Space Apps 2013 Global and Kennedy Space Center winners attended the Orion Exploration Flight Test 1 launch. The launch scrubbed once on December 4 before occurring on December 5, 2014, on a Delta IV Heavy from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

NASA Space Apps 2014 Global and the overall Kennedy Space Center winners attended the viewing opportunity for the Cygnus CRS OA-4 launch, taking cargo and experiments to the International Space Station. The launch scrubbed twice on December 3 and 4; it occurred on December 6, 2015, on an Atlas V 401 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

NASA Space Apps 2015 Global and the overall Kennedy Space Center winners were invited to attend the launch of OSIRIS-Rex, visiting the asteroid Bennu. The launch occurred on September 8, 2016, on an Atlas V 411 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

NASA Space Apps 2016 Global Winners were invited to attend the launch of TDRS-M, a NASA Tracking and Data Relay Satellite operated by the Space Communications and Navigation Program (SCaN). The mission experienced delays in weeks leading up to launch on August 18, 2017, on an Atlas V 401 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

In 2017, Global Winners were invited to attend the launch of TDRS-M, a NASA Tracking and Data Relay Satellite operated by the Space Communications and Navigation Program (SCaN). The mission experienced delays in weeks leading up to launch on August 18, 2017, on an Atlas V 401 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.^[41]

NASA Space Apps 2018 Global Winners were invited to Kennedy Space Flight Center to attend the launch of the Falcon 9 rocket as part of SpaceX CRS-18, a Commercial Resupply Service mission to the International Space Station.

In 2019, 2020, and 2021, invitations to NASA launches were postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021 and 2022, Global Winners were invited to a virtual celebration with NASA representatives. In 2023 and 2024, Global Winners were invited to NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC for an in-person celebration.

*In 2012-2018, participating countries/territories represent the number of countries/territories where a Local Event was hosted. Years 2020 and forward represent the number of countries/territories registered participants for the hackathon reside.

The 2024 NASA International Space Apps Challenge hackathon theme was "The Sun Touches Everything" in collaboration with NASA Heliophysics' celebration of the Helio Big Year. This year's theme aimed to illuminate the expansive reach of the Sun and its influence on every aspect of our environment and life on Earth.

The hackathon featured 20 challenges written by NASA subject matter experts, including topics such as:

• Geographic Information Systems
• Exoplanet Exploration
• Actionable Use of Earth Observation Data
• Ocean Ecosystems
• Geomagnetic Storms

15 Space Agency Partners: Australian Space Agency, Brazilian Space Agency, Canadian Space Agency, Communications, Space & Technology Commission of Saudi Arabia, European Space Agency, Indian Space Research Organization, Italian Space Agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Mexican Space Agency, National Space Activities Commission of Argentina, National Space Science Agency of Bahrain, Paraguayan Space Agency, South African National Space Agency, Spanish Space Agency, and the Turkish Space Agency. 

NASA Space Apps will announce its 10 2024 Global winners in January 2025.

The 2023 NASA International Space Apps Challenge hackathon theme was “Explore Open Science Together” in collaboration with NASA's Transform to Open Science (TOPS). The theme celebrated the benefits and successes created through the equitable and open sharing of knowledge and data and acknowledged 2023 as "A Year of Open Science," as declared by the White House, NASA, and other federal agencies. The NASA Space Apps Challenge incorporated open science tips, tools, and resources from the NASA TOPS initiative into the hackathon for participants.

Challenge Topics:

• Open Science and Open Data
• NASA Technologies and Capabilities
• Planet and Space Science
• Earth Biology
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

13 Space Agency Partners: Australian Space Agency, Brazilian Space Agency, Canadian Space Agency, ESA (European Space Agency), Indian Space Research Organization, Italian Space Agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Mexican Space Agency, National Space Activities Commission of Argentina, National Space Science Agency of Bahrain, Paraguayan Space Agency, South African National Space Agency, and the Turkish Space Agency.

The 2023 NASA Space Apps Challenge presented its 10 Global Winners during their live Global Winners Announcement on January 23, 2024 that was filmed at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The announcement also included former NASA Astronaut, Dr. Cady Coleman.

The 2022 NASA Space Apps Challenge hackathon theme was “Make Space” to emphasize NASA’s commitment to inclusivity. The hackathon focused on Earth and space science, technology, and exploration.

In 2022, Space Apps introduced the Global Live event which streamed live from the NASA Space Apps Instagram. During the event, NASA Space Apps Global Organizing Team members highlighted Local Events in Madrid, Spain; Pretoria, South Africa; and New York City in real-time.

The 2022 NASA Space Apps Challenge Winners Announcement was announced live from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

Challenge Topics:

• Climate Change
• Art & Storytelling
• The Sun
• Planets
• Data Visualization

Space Agency Partners: Australian Space Agency, Brazilian Space Agency, Canadian Space Agency, ESA (European Space Agency), Indian Space Research Organization, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Mexican Space Agency, National Space Activities Commission of Argentina, National Space Science Agency of Bahrain, Paraguayan Space Agency, and the South African National Space Agency.

The 2021 NASA Space Apps Challenge marked the tenth annual event for the program with the theme, "The Power of Ten." To celebrate the occasion, organizers brought together ten Space Agency Partners to support the event and added four new award categories for a total of ten award categories for 2021: Best Storytelling, Global Connection, Art & Technology, Local Impact.

The 2021 NASA Space Apps Challenge was an entirely virtual event due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Challenge Topics:

• James Webb Space Telescope
• Earth Observation Data
• Climate Change

Space Agency partners: Australian Space Agency, Brazilian Space Agency, Canadian Space Agency, ESA (European Space Agency), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, National Space Activities Commission of Argentina, National Space Science Agency of Bahrain, Paraguayan Space Agency, and the South African National Space Agency.

The 2020 NASA Space Apps Challenge was an entirely virtual event due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Space Agency Partners: Canadian Space Agency (CSA), European Space Agency (ESA), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and The National Centre for Space Studies (CNES).

A special NASA Space Apps COVID-19 Challenge was held on May 30–31, 2020. More than 15,000 participants, from over 150 countries/territories participated.

The challenges focused on the following themes:

• Learning about the virus and its spread using space-based data
• Local response/change and solutions
• Impacts of COVID-19 on the Earth system/Earth system response
• Economic opportunity, impact, and recovery during and following COVID-19

In 2018, NASA Space Apps Challenge Local Leads were 37.5% women.

Main Stage Location(s): Huntsville, Alabama

Theme or Challenge Topics:

• Earth’s Oceans
• Our Moon
• Planets Near and Far
• To the Stars
• Living in Our World
• Invent Your Own Challenge

In 2018, NASA Space Apps Challenge Local Leads were 33% women.

Main Stage Location(s): Huntsville, Alabama

Theme or Challenge Topics:

• Can You Build A…
• Help Others Discover the Earth
• Volcanoes, Icebergs, and Asteroids (oh my)
• What the World Needs Now is
• An Icy Glare
• A Universe of Beauty and Wonder

In 2017 the NASA Space Apps Challenge was hosted by a Local Lead in Melbourne Australia and several other Australian cities also competed. Speakers included Andrew Aldrin, son of American astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who works in the launch and education areas of the space industry. Aldrin fascinated the audience by discussing the ‘new’ space industry that seeks more entrepreneurial approaches to innovation. He wanted to see more investment in propulsion from the Moon and in space manufacturing, both of which could address the ongoing problem of orbiting space junk.

Main Stage Location(s): Palo Alto, California led by the Local Lead Irena Chaushevska and New York City, New York led by the Local Lead Joseph Spens.

Theme or Challenge Topics:

• Economic growth
• Social inclusion
• Environmental sustainability

For the second year, the NASA Space Apps Challenge included a pre-hackathon Women in Data Bootcamp to build confidence and give women, girls, and those new to hackathons a head start leading into the weekend. The Data Bootcamp was held in Pasadena, California, where the 2016 mainstage event was hosted. It featured guest speakers such as Kimberly Bryant, the Founder of Black Girls Code, Emily Lakdawalla of the Planetary Society, Anita Sengupta of NASA and creative scientist Dr. Kate Stone who was also a founding member of the NASA Datanauts initiative. In 2016, there were more than 50 Data Bootcamps held in conjunction with NASA Space Apps events, creating and opening up even more space for a diverse community of global participants.

Main Stage Location(s): Pasadena, California

Theme or Challenge Topics:

• Aeronautics
• Earth
• International Space Station
• Journey to Mars
• Solar System and Beyond
• Space Technology

In 2015, the inaugural NASA Space Apps Data Bootcamp was introduced the day before the kickoff of the 2015 NASA Space Apps mainstage event in New York City. Speakers included NASA Astronaut Cady Coleman, who spoke about her work with space robotics; IBM General Manager and author Sandy Carter, who shared career hacks for women entering technology fields; and 13-year-old Olivia Ross from Black Girls Code, who discussed her first (winning) hackathon experience. The NASA Space Apps Data Bootcamp was developed to empower and encourage women to participate in the hackathon and honor women who are making a difference in the field of data science.

Main Stage Location(s): Microsoft HQ, Times Square, New York City, New York

Challenge Topics:

• Earth
• Outer Space
• Humans
• Robotics

During the event, NASA opened the NASA Space Apps Challenge to the broader public by including a YouTube broadcast of a Google Hangout with NASA Senior Executives. The public asked questions through social media channels, which were addressed by NASA Chief Technology Officer for IT, Deborah Diaz; NASA Chief Scientist, Ellen Stofan; NASA Asteroid Grand Challenge Program Executive, Jason Kessler; and Astronauts Doug Wheelock of NASA and Paolo Nespoli of the European Space Agency, with moderation by Open innovation Program Manager, Beth Beck. In 2014–2015, NASA Space Apps planned the weekend to occur over Yuri's Night, April 12, when people around the world have parties and events to celebrate achievements in human spaceflight.

Main Stage Location(s): New York City

Challenge Topics

• Asteroids
• Earth Watch
• Human Spaceflight
• Robotics
• Technology in Space

NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden visited the Kennedy Space Center site. The first interplanetary weather app was developed using actual Mars science data and visual imagery, such as highlighting temperature and dust storms.

Main Stage Location(s): Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Theme or Challenge Topics:

• Software
• Hardware
• Citizen Science
• Data Visualization

The event was part of the United States’ commitment to the Open Government Partnership. The Open Government Partnership was a multilateral initiative between 55 nations around the world committed to promoting transparency, participation, and collaboration between governments and citizens. The United States released its National Action Plan for the Open Government Partnership in September 2011, including a commitment to hold the NASA International Space Apps Challenge to “promote innovation through international collaboration.” Space exploration was the ideal catalyst to foster this culture of innovation, and NASA, in collaboration with nine government agencies and 99 other organizations, hosted the inaugural NASA Space Apps Challenge event in 25 cities and 17 countries - on all seven continents and online.

Challenge Topics:

• open-source software
• open hardware
• citizen science platforms
• data visualization

Experts from NASA, Space Agency Partners, and industry evaluate projects submissions nominated for Global Awards by Local Leads to select winners. Award categories have varied over the years.

NASA Space Apps on social media reaches audiences across the globe with the hashtag, #SpaceApps. The social following has grown to thousands on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, and in 2023 social mentions had a reach of 516.6 million. NASA Space Apps features live events such as the annual Winners Announcement on its social media pages. Past events have featured former NASA astronaut, Cady Coleman, NASA Space Apps Program Scientist Dr. Keith Gaddis, NASA Leadership, and more.

• X: @SpaceApps
• Instagram: @nasa_spaceapps
• Facebook: @spaceappschallenge
• YouTube: @NASASpaceAppsChallenge

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