It’s that time of year again to join the world’s largest innovation hackathon dedicated to aviation and aerospace. Registrations are now open for the 2025 NASA Space Apps Challenge hackathon.
This two-day global hackathon brings together problem-solvers of all ages and backgrounds to tackle real-world challenges using NASA’s free and open data.
Taking place the weekend of October 4 and 5, 2025, this global event will have local events hosted around the world. I’m excited to be the Local Lead for the Sacramento, California regional event to be hosted at Folsom Lake College in Folsom.
The NASA Space Apps Challege is completely free to attend and open to the public. Whether you are a coder, entrepreneur, artist, scientist, engineer, designer, storyteller, maker, technologist, or generalist, you are invited to join a global movement that’s solving problems on Earth and in space.
What is the NASA Space Apps Challenge?
The NASA Space Apps Challenge is the world’s largest annual global hackathon. Participants from across the globe collaborate locally and virtually to create innovative solutions using NASA’s open-source data. This is not just an event for coders. Anyone with a passion for Earth and space science is welcome to join, regardless of experience or skill level. The challenge themes span topics such as Earth science, space exploration, climate, robotics, and more.
Who Can Participate?
Everyone is welcome. You do not need to be an expert to make a difference. Participants can join as individuals or teams and will have the opportunity to form teams at the event. Children under 18 are welcome but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
This is your chance to learn something new, connect with a global community, and contribute your creativity to meaningful challenges. Whether you are a student or a seasoned professional, your ideas and input are valued.
Why Attend?
This is more than just a hackathon. It is a chance to:
- Collaborate with diverse and passionate people
- Learn about Earth and space science
- Build a creative solution from start to finish
- Present your project to a panel of local judges
- Join a global network of innovators working together for the good of humanity
Look at previous NASA Space Apps Challenges
These events have been happening since 2012. So 2025 is the 13th year for these global hackathons. This will be my fourth year to be involved in a local event. You can find my recaps of two previous NASA Space Apps Challenge events here and here.
Register Today
This event is free, but advance registration is strongly encouraged. To sign up and get full details, visit the official NASA Space Apps Challenge website. If you are in the Sacramento CA region, search for the Folsom event and register for that one.
The world needs your creativity and perspective. Participate in this global hackathon to be your version of a rocket scientist for an impactful weekend!