NASA International Space Apps Challenge Hackathon 2014

NASA along with space agencies around the world are preparing for the third annual International Space Apps Challenge, which will be held April 12-13. Participants all around the world will develop mobile applications, software, hardware, data visualization and platform solutions that could contribute to space exploration missions and help improve life on Earth.

The challenge encourages entrepreneurs, technologists, thinkers and developers to create and deploy data-driven visualizations and simulations that will help people understand and solve problems related to life on earth and space.

The two-day International Space Apps Challenge will be a Hackathon event locally hosted at almost 100 locations spanning six continents. More than 200 data sources, including data sets, data services, and tools will be made available. This event will bring tech-savvy citizens, scientists, entrepreneurs, educators, and students together to help solve challenges relevant to both space exploration and social needs.

“The International Space Apps Challenge is one of the U.S. commitments to the Open Government Partnership to explore new ways that open space data can help the planet and further space exploration,” said Deborah Diaz, deputy chief information officer at NASA Headquarters in Washington.

This year, more than 40 new challenges will represent NASA mission priorities and be organized in five themes: Earth Watch, Technology in Space Human Spaceflight, Robotics, and Asteroids. About half of the challenges are in the Earth Watch theme, which supports NASA’s focus on Earth science in 2014.

For the first time in more than a decade, five NASA Earth science missions are being launched into space in the same year, opening new and improved remote eyes to monitor our changing planet. The agency shares this unique knowledge with the global community and works with institutions in the United States and around the world that contribute to understanding and protecting our home planet.

Local Event for Pakistan is planned to be held at National University Of Computer and Emerging Sciences Islamabad. Event kicks-off 6:00 PM Friday 11th April 2014 and will continue over the weekend until Sunday 13th April 2014. Complete details for the event can be found on event site International Space Apps Challenge 2014 Islamabad.

Participants are limited in number for the local event at NUCES FAST Islamabad, so early registrants will get the edge. Participants can also join in and team up virtually anywhere from the world which do not require presence on site. To register for the event please visit https://2014.spaceappschallenge.org/register/, It is advised that only committed participants should apply for the event. Only registered participants will be able to enter the venue. Further details about the Timeline and FAQ’s can be found on International Space Apps Challenge 2014 Islamabad website. For any change in Timeline please get up to date via our Twitter and Facebook page.

sources:

https://2014.spaceappschallenge.org

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/NASA_Launches_Its_Third_Global_Codeathon_with_New_Coastal_Flooding_Challenge_999.html

Contributed by: Shakil Shafiq