The NASA International Space Apps Challenge is an event where NASA Subject Matter Experts author challenges relating to real-world problems on Earth and Space and/or current NASA initiatives. Participants from around the world can form teams that work to develop solutions through the use of NASA and its Space Agency Partners’ open data over the two-day hackathon event.
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 International Space Apps Challenge to “promote innovation through international collaboration”. Today, 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 220,000+ registrants from 185+ countries/territories.
In the early years, Space Apps was primarily focused on space science and technology. However, in 2017, Space Apps moved to the NASA Earth Science Division and expanded to include both Earth and space science and technology. Today, Space Apps features arts and humanities challenges alongside the technology challenges, building a more inclusive program with broader appeal, the highest participation numbers ever, and a marked increase in projects submitted with technology and art themes.
NASA collaborates with international space agency partners on the 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 Space Apps.
Judging and awards
After the 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 Space Apps website and social media.
In 2013, Mars Exploration Program offered the 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.
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. The launch s.
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.
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.
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]
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.