NASA International Space Apps Challenge
NASA's annual global hackathon, where teams use open data from NASA and partner space agencies to tackle challenges written by NASA experts. It runs over two days at local events in many cities, including in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, and virtually. All ages, skill levels and backgrounds are welcome, and it is free.
14 to 15 November 2026
spaceappschallenge.org · Oct 2026
Programme
Career Growth
NASA
48 hours
Beginner
Free
Hackathon
- When
- Usually opens in August, September and OctoberRegistration usually opens a couple of months before the event, which has been in early October. The 2026 edition is on 14 and 15 November.
- Who can apply
- Anyone with an interest in space and science: all ages, skill levels and professional backgrounds. Local events may set their own rules for minors and capacity, so check your local event page.
- Where
- In person in many cities, plus virtual
Dates move from year to year. Check the official page before you plan around them.
What it is
The NASA International Space Apps Challenge is NASA's yearly hackathon. During a two-day event, teams work on challenges written by NASA subject matter experts, using NASA data and data from partner space agencies. Topics range from software and data visualisation to storytelling, agriculture, climate and astrophysics. After the event, projects go through rounds of judging that choose global finalists and 10 global winners.
Who can apply
Everyone. NASA says all ages, skill levels and professional backgrounds are welcome. You do not need to be a student or a space expert; designers, writers and scientists all have a role in a team.
Timeline
The event has usually been held in early October, with registration opening a couple of months earlier. The 2026 edition runs on 14 and 15 November 2026 and registration is open. Check the official site for each year's dates.
How to get in
- Register on the official site and choose a local event near you or join virtually.
- Read the challenges as soon as they are published and pick one where you can access the data.
- Form a team with mixed skills; the site helps you find teammates.
- Explore the data before the weekend so you spend the event building, not downloading.
- Submit your project page and demo before the deadline; judges rely on them.
What you get
Experience working with real scientific data under a deadline, a public project page and a chance to be named a global finalist or winner. Check the current year's rules for awards.
Is it worth it?
Yes. It is one of the few large hackathons with many local events in South Asia, which makes it easier to join in person than most international hackathons. The open data also makes for interesting portfolio projects after the event.
Pair it with on Sefism
- Sharpen data skills with the Data science roadmap and Data analytics roadmap.
- Find datasets and practise with Kaggle competitions.
- Turn your project into a fuller build from FYP ideas.
Best for: students and early career people who want a beginner-friendly, data-driven hackathon with local events.
Ready to start?
Opens on NASA in a new tab.
Stuck on something specific?
Writing only gets you so far. If you want an answer to your situation rather than the general case, book a session and we will work through it together. Sessions are free for approved Sefism members, and a few slots open each week.
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