HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Oct. 18, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — NASA’s 2018 International Space Apps Challenge is returning to Huntsville, Alabama, for a second year Oct. 19-21. The global hackathon brings together people of all ages and backgrounds to solve real-world problems with collaborative, innovation solutions during a 48-hour period. The teams then work with NASA’s open source data and products and design innovative solutions to scientific challenges faced on Earth and in space.

Facilitated by Urban Engine of Huntsville and other local sponsors, the event will be held at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s Education Training Facility and will also be featured as the Mainstage for the challenge weekend.

“Space Apps is a great opportunity for NASA Marshall to engage with our local community and we are thrilled Huntsville was chosen as the Mainstage for the event,” said Paul McConnaughey, associate director, technical, of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, and the keynote speaker for the event on Friday, Oct. 19. “Being able to harness all of the knowledge, creativity and ingenuity that we have in our city, and use that to help NASA solve challenges we have on Earth and in space, is really a unique and powerful tool,” McConnaughey said.

As a 2018 Mainstage site, Huntsville is the central hub for the international competition and the event will be live streamed on the International Space Apps Challenge website. The Huntsville event is one of more than 200 worldwide and kicks off Friday, Oct. 19 at 8 a.m. with check-in followed by keynote speakers, exhibitions and career fair. The competition brings together students, scientists, engineers, storytellers, artists, computer programmers and more. The event continues on Saturday, Oct. 20 with the hackathon beginning at 11:30 a.m. and ends Sunday, Oct. 20 at 2:30 p.m. All events are free and open to the public.

The challenge categories this year are:

• Can You Build A…
• Help Others Discover the Earth
• Volcanoes, Icebergs and Asteroids (oh my)
• What the World Needs Now is…
• An Icy Glare
• A Universe of Beauty and Wonder

Those interested competing in the International Space Apps Challenge can do so by participating in the Huntsville event or can participate virtually by registering here. Winners of the Huntsville competition will receive cash and prizes from local sponsors. Registration also will be available onsite at the local event on the morning of Oct. 19.

To learn more or register for the event, visit:

https://www.spaceappshsv.com/

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SOURCE NASA