Space Apps by the Numbers
Results and metrics for the annual NASA International Space Apps Challenge
2025 NASA Space Apps Challenge
114,094
Registered Participants
18,860
Teams
551
Local Events
167
Countries/Territories
11,511
Projects Submitted
14
Space Agency Partners
124
Subject Matter Experts
78
Navigators
- Registered Participants: The number of people registered for a particular year’s NASA Space Apps Challenge
- Teams: Groups of 1–6 participants addressing challenges
- Countries/Territories: Regions with registered participants
- Top 5 Countries: Locations with the largest number of registered participants
- Universal Event Registrations: A virtual registration option for participants without a nearby Local Event
- Global Offers: Optional free tools and resources provided by Global Collaborators to support projects
- Navigators: Demonstrated excellence in the NASA Space Apps Challenge or relevant NASA programs and provide their expertise to guide participants
- Amplification Collaborators: Companies/organizations that promote the NASA Space Apps Challenge in their communities
- Social Mentions Reach: Number of people who came across NASA Space Apps content on social media
- Subject Matter Experts: NASA experts who create challenge statements and support answering participant questions
- Local Events: In-person or virtual events led by a Local Lead for participants in a particular city
- Space Agency Partners: Space agencies worldwide that provide space-based data, expertise, and judging support
- Challenges: The challenge statements utilizing NASA data for participants to address
- Projects Submitted: Final team creations submitted for judging
The Growth of NASA Space Apps
Cumulative statistics over the history of the NASA Space Apps Challenge.
487k+
Registrations
3400+
Local Events
190+
Countries/Territories
17
Space Agency Partners
The NASA Space Apps Challenge wasn’t always the largest annual global hackathon
The first NASA Space Apps Challenge in 2012 was attended by approximately 2,000 people at 25 events in 17 countries. Since then, the program has grown rapidly to over 114,000 participants.
Engagement with the NASA Space Apps Challenge reached new heights in 2020, during the pandemic, with the addition of the NASA Space Apps COVID-19 Challenge to the annual hackathon. In 2025, the event welcomed a record 114,000+ registered participants at 551 Local Events in 167 countries/territories.
In the early years, the NASA Space Apps Challenge focused mainly on space science and technology. In 2017, however, it moved under the NASA Earth Science Division to encompass challenges in both Earth and space sciences. Today, the NASA Space Apps Challenge now offers an even wider range of challenges, blending technology with arts and humanities. This evolution has resulted in record participation and an impressive rise in projects that creatively merge Earth and space sciences and technology.
The NASA Space Apps Challenge attributes much of its growth and success to its Local Leads. The hackathon wouldn’t be possible without them! Local Leads organize in-person or virtual Local Events for a specific city or town, working to increase local awareness and engagement in the NASA Space Apps Challenge. Local Leads create incredible outcomes in their communities.
Infographics
NASA Space Apps 2025 Infographic
NASA Space Apps 2024 Infographic
NASA Space Apps 2023 Infographic
NASA Space Apps 2022 Infographic
NASA Space Apps 2021 Infographic
NASA Space Apps 2020 Infographic
NASA Space Apps COVID-19 Challenge Infographic
NASA Space Apps 2018 Infographic
Mission Reports
NASA Space Apps 2017 Mission Report
NASA Space Apps 2016 Mission Report
NASA Space Apps 2015 Mission Report
NASA Space Apps 2014 Mission Report
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