Perth

NASA INTERNATIONAL SPACE APPS CHALLENGE

Space Hub Perth and CORE Innovation Hub are hosting this year's virtual NASA International Space Apps Challenge. This is a global virtual hackathon being held on the weekend of 2- 3 October 2021 . Last year, it was held in 140+ countries, with 26,000+ participants and 3,800+ teams. The event takes a collaborative approach to problem solving where teams aim to produce solutions to NASA defined challenges that we currently face here on Earth and in space.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

Anyone. Absolutely anyone! Space is for everyone. If you have a background or are just interested in business, entrepreneurship, science, art, history, engineering, design, law, technology, mathematics, education, health, sports, performing arts, hospitality, automotive mechanics or many other areas, then you're perfect for this hackathon. Have you studied at uni? Or maybe you've never studied? No problem. Are you still at school? Great. Are you working? Or maybe you're not working? It doesn't matter. And no, you don't have to know how to code, though you can if you want to. It's amazing what ideas and solutions people from various backgrounds come up with.

We said above that "Space is for everyone". You might not know it, but everyday life is heavily reliant on space and space-related products and services. As the 21st century heads into its third decade, this is only going to increase, meaning more opportunities for everyone to work "in or with space". The Space Apps Challenge gives you a taste of what might be in store for your future. If you want to learn more about how you can be a part of the NewSpace race, check out the following video:

WHAT ARE THE NASA CHALLENGES I CAN WORK ON?

There are 24 challenges you can pick from covering the following 10 categories:

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML)
2. Apps
3. Data Organisation
4. Games
5. Knowledge
6. Risk
7. Science Applications
8. Space Applications
9. Space Travel
10. Youth-friendly

These cover specific challenges related to asteroids, growing food in space, plastic in the ocean, the Moon, climate change and many more topics. Find out about the individual challenges here.

WHY ARE WE RUNNING THIS?

CORE Innovation Hub's goal in supporting the Space Apps Challenge is to draw on our thriving tech community and resources and energy sector, one of WA's sectors of strength, to create a community that builds new enterprises in the space sector. Space Hub Perth, which is supported by CORE, has the same goal of building a commercial space sector in WA, except we have a broader remit and we're drawing on every industry, research and educational institutions and government to do so. This event is an opportunity for talented problem solvers to come together and showcase their skills for the betterment of humanity.

INFORMATION NIGHT

A WA built satellite in space right now. Space lasers. A NASA prize winner!

Guest speakers Lisa Fletcher, Stuart Buchan, Fergus Downey and David Gozzard gave us the low down on participating in Space Apps, 'space stuff' happening in WA, how space influences everyday life, space opportunities and that 'space is for everyone'.

The Perth Space Apps teams also provided information on the Challenge.

Check out the Information Night recording below. Information about the Challenge starts at 43:20.

Download the Information Night slides here.

DETAILS

TEAM SIZE

Team size should be a maximum of 6 people. You can form or join a team right now. Click the 'Teams' tab above. We can help you find a team.

UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE?

Not a problem. We want to you register for the challenge and amaze us with your ideas. However, we do recommend that you do so with a parent or legal guardian (i.e. they should also register).

MENTORS

We'll have mentors available over the weekend to help you select your challenge, determine your problem, guide you with your thinking about your solution and help you present your project. This includes mentors from METS Ignited, the Binar Space Program at Curtin University, Marketforce, Pawsey Supercomputing Centre, International Space Centre, CORE Innovation Hub, Picosat Systems, Aurora Space Cluster, Space Industry Association of Australia, UWA Venture, UWA Guild, UWA Aerospace, UWA Postgraduate Association, and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery. Their skill sets, knowledge based and industry experience cover a broad range of areas including science, space, entrepreneurship, marketing, problem analysis, design, communications and outreach, photography, social services, health, resources and many more. Space really is for everyone.

SPECIAL GUEST

Enrico Palermo, Head of the Australian Space Agency, will be providing a welcome address at our official opening at 9am on Saturday 2 October 2021. Register to join this online event and hear his inspiring words.

PRIZES

Prizes for winning teams in Perth include NASA merchandise, JB Hi-Fi vouchers, Bluetooth speakers, casual co-working membership at CORE Innovation Hub, a tour of the Binar Space Program facilities at the Space Science and Technology Centre (SSTC) at Curtin University and more!

We're busy finalising the details for this event and we'll be updating this page throughout the week. So keep checking here and on this page and Rocket Chat for updates.

Remember, as this is a virtual challenge, you can easily participate from home or from another location convenient to you. There no need to travel, catch the bus, pay for parking, etc. How easy is that?

2020 PERTH TEAM WINS GLOBAL FINAL

Last year, Perth team Loud and Clear won the Mission Global Prize, the solution with the most plausible solution concept and design, for their team project "Loud and Clear". Find out more about their win here and here.

SPONSORS

Thanks to our sponsors: METS Ignited, Department of Job, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Curtin University, The University of Western Australia International Space Centre, Pawsey Supercomputing Centre, Spacecubed (for our Info Night), Kool Kreative and Startup News.

CONTACT US

Register now to get involved!

Email the Perth Local Lead, Conrad, at spacehubperth@gmail.com with any questions or ideas, or if you are interested in being a mentor, sponsor or partner.