Participant FAQ
WHAT IS THE NASA INTERNATIONAL SPACE APPS CHALLENGE?
Each October, over the course of two days, coders, entrepreneurs, scientists, designers, storytellers, makers, builders, artists, and technologists from around the world come together for this global hackathon. NASA Space Apps Challenge participants create in-person and virtual teams to address challenges using free and open data from NASA and its Space Agency Partners.
The NASA Space Apps Challenge, founded in 2012, has become the largest annual global hackathon in the world. While the top projects are recognized as Global Winners, NASA Space Apps is all about collaboration! Our mission is focused on the following objectives:
- Inspire collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking
- Foster interest in Earth and space science and exploration
- Raise global awareness of NASA data
- Encourage growth and diversity in the next generation of scientists, engineers, technologists, and designers
The 2024 NASA Space Apps Challenge theme has not yet been announced. Stay tuned for updates leading up to this year's hackathon.
Last year's theme was "Explore Open Science Together" in collaboration with NASA Transform to Open Science (TOPS). This theme acknowledged 2023 as A Year of Open Science - as declared by NASA, the White House, and other Federal Agencies.
You can learn more about the 2023 theme on our blog.
Space Apps is for everyone, including those who have never “hacked" before! All passionate problem solvers, from students to life-long learners, are encouraged to join. While some of our challenges are technical, others ask you to use artistic skills, business acumen, or your imagination.
In other words, you do not need to be a coder or data expert to be a part of the NASA Space Apps Challenge. Teams with the most diverse sets of skills are often the most successful!
There is no cost to participate in the NASA Space Apps Challenge. If you are asked to pay money to participate in any aspect of a NASA Space Apps event, do not pay anything, and please report to [email protected].
Participants who are under the age of 18 must be registered for the event by a parent or legal guardian and must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times during the event.
Participants register as individuals, not as teams. Forming your team is a separate process.
Each year we provide these detailed guides to help you navigate the hackathon:
- Space Apps Connect (formerly Space Apps Chat) Guide
- Team Formation Guide
- Project Submission Guide
- Judging and Awards Guide
You can view the 2023 guides on our Resources page, but they will be updated leading up to this year's hackathon.
IMPORTANT DATES
The 2024 NASA Space Apps Challenge will start on October 5 at 9:00 a.m. (local time) and end on October 6 at 11:59 p.m. (local time), when project submissions are due.
However, many NASA Space Apps activities start before October 6. Once you sign up for a NASA Space Apps account and register for the 2024 NASA Space Apps Challenge event, start checking your Messages inbox from the NASA Space Apps Global Organizing (GO) Team for important information regarding your hackathon journey.
Please also look on your Local Event page and communicate with your Local Lead to learn about other events and deadlines that are specific to your location.
EVENT TIMELINE
JULY
- Registration opens!
- Create an account or log in if you’re a returning participant.
- Register for a Local Event near you or our Universal Event (please note you MUST be registered for a Local Event or Universal Event to participate).
- Learn more about your Local Event by connecting with your Local Lead. You can find their name and email address on your Local Event page. Each event will vary based on the plans of your Local Lead, so be sure to get plugged in!
JULY-AUGUST
- Review the Challenge Summaries in mid-August to get a sneak peek of what’s to come.
- Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to connect with your NASA Space Apps community! Share your excitement and hackathon journey using #SpaceApps.
- Invite your friends to register for the NASA Space Apps Challenge. The hackathon experience is even better when shared with friends!
- Check your Space Apps Messages. Once you register, you will start receiving messages from the GO Team in your account Space Apps Messages inbox. You can access your Messages inbox by clicking on your profile avatar and selecting "Messages" from the drop-down menu. Check your messages frequently for updates and news about challenges, Virtual Bootcamp videos, upcoming deadlines, and more.
- Watch our Virtual Bootcamp video tutorials to learn valuable information and gain insights into the hackathon experience! All videos will be posted on the NASA Space Apps Virtual Bootcamp webpage and on our YouTube channel.
SEPTEMBER
- If you haven’t already, create your account and register for a Local Event or the Universal Event. This step should be completed at least one to two weeks before the hackathon.
- New Local Events are added through August. So, check back for a Local Event near you if there wasn’t one when you registered in July-August.
- Browse the Challenge Statements and start thinking about which one you want to tackle!
- Join the Space Apps Connect forum, a collaborative communication forum for the NASA Space Apps Challenge community.
OCTOBER 4
- Get ready for the NASA Space Apps Challenge! Check your Space Apps Messages, review the Participant Guides and challenges, and connect with your Local Event Lead and teammates.
- Tune in to the Welcome to Space Apps kick off video at 5:00 p.m. EST, featuring messages from the GO Team and special guests.
OCTOBER 5
First day of the hackathon:
- At 9:00 a.m. (local time) teams may begin working on their hackathon projects.
- Project submission opens at 9:00 a.m. Teams will be able to edit and submit their projects until 11:59 p.m. (local time) on October 6.
- Experts from NASA, Space Agency Partners, and industry will be available in Space Apps Connect to answer questions about the Challenge Statements and data.
- We know you’ll be working with your team tirelessly to create your project during the hackathon. Don’t forget to take breaks, stay hydrated, and balance your hard work with fun!
OCTOBER 6
- The hackathon ends at 11:59 p.m. (local time). All projects must be submitted to the NASA Space Apps Challenge website by this deadline.
- Teams must submit their projects in accordance with the time of the Local Event location for which the team is registered. *If your team is registered for the Universal Event, your project must be submitted in accordance with the local time of the person who created the team (“Team Lead").
- You did it! Pat yourself on the back for making it through the hackathon. What an achievement!
OCTOBER-DECEMBER
- Judging begins! Experts from NASA, Space Agency Partners, and industry will evaluate the projects and select the winners.
- Your team will be notified if you’ve been selected as a finalist or winner. Best of luck!
- See the Judging and Awards Guide for details about the Global Awards and judging process.
JANUARY 2025
- The Global Winners are announced! We will share more details about the Global Winners Announcement after the 2024 NASA Space Apps Challenge.