The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) is proud to once again partner with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the International Space Apps Challenge. SANSA has been a previous participant in the challenge for a few years and is committed to supporting this incredible opportunity when NASA celebrates the tenth edition of the Space Apps Challenge in 2021. South Africa was one of ten partner space agencies to encourage worldwide participation in solving global challenges using space data.
The NASA International Space Apps Challenge (Space Apps) is an international hackathon for coders, scientists, designers, storytellers, makers, builders, technologists, and others in cities around the world, where teams engage the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA’s) free and open data to address real-world problems on Earth and in space.
Each October, over the course of two days, Space Apps brings participants from around the world together at hundreds of in-person and virtual local events to solve challenges submitted by NASA experts. After the hackathon, project submissions are judged by space agency experts and winners are selected for one of 10 Global Awards. In addition, Space Apps provide problem-solvers worldwide with NASA’s free and open data, allowing teams to learn how to use these resources to solve each year’s challenges.
The 2022 NASA International Space Apps Challenge theme is “Make Space”, as we strive to eliminate barriers to access to space and science opportunities. Space Apps are for anyone and everyone! Participants worldwide are welcomed, regardless of background and experience, to create, explore, learn, and build together. Through each year’s Space Apps Challenge, SANSA continues to support and empower ideas through innovation and inclusion.
The South African participation in Space Apps has grown leaps and bounds since last year, with over 60 entries to this year’s event. Teams will meet at Diep in die Berg in Pretoria and online to join the Space Apps Programme, access subject matter experts and tune in to space science and space engineering presentations from SANSA mentors. SANSA is also proud to announce that South Africa has been chosen as one of only three countries directly supported by a NASA International Space Apps representative at the event in Pretoria. The other events with NASA representation take place in Madrid, Spain and New York, USA.
One of the SANSA mandates is to grow the knowledge economy, and it is proud to be part of this global initiative to encourage people from all walks of life to participate in the problem- solving events of this scale. Watch this space for the update on the Apps developed by South Africans and if any have been put through to the global finals that occur in a week. SANSA hopes to attract even more participants to next year’s event!
For more information, contact Vaneshree Maharaj.
