York takes part in global NASA event

Posted on 7 April 2015

The University of York’s Department of Computer Science will take part in the International Space Apps Challenge, a 48 hour global coding event organised by NASA.

Taking place on 11 - 12 April, the Space Apps Challenge will see 9000 participants from 125 worldwide locations tackle over 25 different challenges. Using publicly available data, participants form teams to develop solutions to four types of challenges - Outer Space, Earth, Humans and Robotics.

Open to both students and professionals, no technical experience is needed and participants can take part in York or via virtual participation. Teams will present their solution to an audience and a panel of professionals and academics, with the jury nominating a local winner to compete in a global competition. If successful, the global award includes an opportunity to attend a NASA launch.

York’s Department of Computer Science will host the event in collaboration with NASA, and local companies Maplesoft, Inviqa, Merisis, Cybula and HA247.

Nils Moenning, PhD student in the Department of Computer Science and Lead Organiser of the Challenge, said: “It is our third time hosting NASA's International Space Apps Challenge in York - a tradition we are very excited to be a part of. Collaborating with industrial and academic partners who make this event possible, we are very thankful for the support we receive.

“For participants it is a great opportunity to make a difference to technology in space and on earth by working together. This is really the spirit of the Space Apps Challenge: innovation through collaboration. At the same time participants showcase and improve their skills, get involved with public data and win some prizes.”

Participation is free and open to everyone. The event starts at 9:30am on Saturday 11 April in the Department of Computer Science and ends at 6pm Sunday 12 April 2015. To join the event visit: https://2015.spaceappschallenge.org/location/york/.

Further information:

For further information about the International Space Apps Challenge and to find out more about the challenges, visit: https://2015.spaceappschallenge.org/location/york/
Follow the event on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SpaceAppsYork and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SpaceAppsYork
For more information about the University of York’s Department of Computer Science, visit: http://www.cs.york.ac.uk/