NASA comes to Denmark: Invites contributions for future space missions
The IT University of Copenhagen will host the first Danish edition of NASA's innovation competition Space Apps Challenge, which takes place from April 22-24. All innovative minds are invited to work on real cases related to the organization's missions in space and on Earth.
Eventsappsinnovation
Written 5 April, 2016 07:07 by Vibeke Arildsen
Danes with astronaut dreams will have a unique opportunity to contribute to NASA's space missions when the IT University of Copenhagen hosts the first Danish edition of the organization's global innovation competition. In the annual Space Apps Challenge, NASA invites scientists, developers, designers, entrepreneurs and other inventive earthlings to develop solutions for some of the most pressing challenges affecting humans on Earth and in space.
“The contest is an invitation for talented and innovative people to collaborate on creating open source solutions to global challenges,” says Vasiliki Baka, Assistant Professor at the IT University, who is leading the team of volunteers behind the event.
From jetpacks to asteroid defense
Participants can choose between 26 challenges of varying difficulty in six mission-related categories: Technology, Aeronautics, Space Station, Solar System, Earth and Journey to Mars. For instance, the 200 participants can develop virtual reality viewers using footage from the International Space Station, design jetpacks for future missions to Mars, or invent methods to detect asteroids on collision course with our planet.
In about 24 hours from Saturday to Sunday, the teams will solve their cases using open datasets provided by NASA and its partner organizations. On Sunday afternoon, the teams will pitch their ideas in front of a jury of science and technology experts. The Danish winner will enter the global competition to win lifetime bragging rights and the ultimate prize: an invitation to attend a NASA launch event.
Space Apps Copenhagen 2016 will be kick-started already on Friday, April 22 with a bootcamp where participants can warm up with workshops and inspiring presentations. Here, participants can also find teammates for the weekend's competition.
Vibeke Arildsen, Press Officer, phone 2555 0447, email viar@itu.dk