The International Space Apps Challenge was an international hackathon-style event that took place over a 48 hour period in cities on all seven continents on the weekend of 21 – 22 April 2012. NASA led the international collaboration with 8 other government agencies and 90 additional organizations. The event took place in 25 cities, dispersed over 17 countries on all seven continents as well as online. The challenge brought together 2,083 registered participants (ages 16-70) together to address 71 challenges that were grouped into four broad categories including open source software, open hardware, citizen science platforms, and data visualization. More than 100 unique solutions were developed in less than 48 hours during the event – many that had direct tangible benefits to existing programs at NASA. All solutions were developed in a completely open source environment, and each have their own unique potential to go even further to address world and space technology challenges.
The International Space Apps Challenge was the largest government-led hackathon to date. It demonstrated that a non-monetized collaboration could have significant value for government agencies and serves as a model for how government can accelerate technology development. Spaceflight data and the needs of the exploration mission proved to be the ideal environment to foster this type of innovation. (You can learn more about what the community accomplished here.)
We have good news: WE’RE BACK.
The Space Apps Challenge brings citizens from around the world together – in virtual and physical spaces – to create software and hardware technologies that solve challenges in space exploration and on Earth. Preparations for the second event, planned for April 2013, have just begun. The effort is currently led by NASA’s Open Innovation Program team, but we are intentionally focused on expanding the leadership team and the international reach of the event. The vision to engage the skills and perspectives of citizen scientists, makers, developers, technologists, educators and entrepreneurs in the exploration mission is one that is vital for all – and benefits all.
We need your experience and perspective to help make it awesome.
Interested in applying to host a local event? Contact us here.
Interested in getting your agency or organization involved? Contact us here.
Interested in participating as a citizen? Sign up here to stay informed.
Have a story to tell about the last Space Apps or ideas about what you’d like to work on this time? Tell us in the comments.
ADDITIONAL NOTE: Space Apps is currently nominated as Federal IT Program of the Year for the FedScoop 50 Awards. Vote here for Space Apps and the impact of mass collaboration in government!