NASA, the United States space agency, announced on Thursday (January 16) the global winners of the NASA Space Apps Challenge 2024. Organized by NASA’s Earth Science Division, the competition saw three Brazilian teams among the ten global winners.
As the world’s largest hackathon, the NASA Space Apps Challenge aims to tackle real-world problems on Earth and in space using open data from 15 partner space agencies, including Brazil’s National Space Program (PEB). Participants leverage these resources to develop innovative solutions to annual challenges.
A Historic Performance for Brazil
The hackathon took place on October 5-6, 2024, attracting over 93,520 registered participants across 15,444 teams from 163 countries and territories. With the theme “The Sun Touches Everything,” the challenge encouraged participants to develop solutions in fields such as Earth sciences, space exploration, sustainability, and the mitigation of solar activity impacts. Throughout the event, 9,996 projects were created.
Brazil stood out with 3,908 participants across 50 local events, coordinated by universities, tech organizations, and the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB). Marco Antonio Chamon, president of AEB, congratulated all Brazilian participants and praised the winning teams for their scientific and social contributions.
Brazil’s Strong Presence in the Global Competition
Seventy Brazilian teams were selected as “Global Nominees,” a distinction recognizing the most innovative projects from each country. Of these, seven advanced to the “Global Finalists” round, where only 40 projects were evaluated by NASA and partner space agency experts. Ultimately, three Brazilian teams emerged as global winners(top 10).
Brazil’s Three Winning Teams
1. 42 Quakeheroes (Maceió, Alagoas)
- Team Members: Alailton José Alves Junior, Ana Carolina Miziara Sabino de Oliveira Borges, Antonio Teixeira da Matos, Gabriel Ribeiro Filice Chayb, Gustavo Ferreira Tavares, and Larissa Borges de Mello
- Project: A software tool that analyzes real mission data from Apollo and the Mars InSight Lander to detect seismic activity within background noise.
- Challenge: Seismic Detection Across the Solar System
2. Connected Earth Museum (Campinas, São Paulo)
- Team Members: Riccardo Carvalho Sofer, Lucas Nogueira Roberto, Luc Joffily Ribas, Gabriel Alexander Toledo Mendes, Matheus Gasparotto Lozano, and Pedro Carvalho Cintra
- Project: An interactive platform that allows users to explore datasets on pollution, climate change, and human impact in a fun and engaging way.
- Challenge: Imagine Our Connected Earth
3. Team I.O. (Florianópolis, Santa Catarina)
- Team Members: Raphael Galate Baptista Ribeiro, Frank Mendes Rolim, Victoria Moraes, Jan Felix Koeppen, and Ryan Zernach
- Project: A mapping tool that integrates open scientific data to analyze local geographic factors affecting community challenges, such as food accessibility or pollution impact on water supply.
- Challenge: Community Mapping
Commitment to Innovation and Future Talent
AEB’s Coordinator of Competency Development and Technologies, Aline Veloso, emphasized the agency’s dedication to fostering new talent and innovation. She noted that Brazil’s participation in NASA Space Apps Challenge 2024 strengthens its presence in the global space sector and inspires future generations to push the boundaries of knowledge.
About the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB)
AEB, established on February 10, 1994, is the central body of Brazil’s National System for the Development of Space Activities (SINDAE). Under the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI), the agency formulates and executes the country’s space policy, aiming to leverage space technology for societal benefit.
The success of Brazilian teams at NASA Space Apps Challenge 2024 highlights the country’s growing expertise in space innovation and problem-solving on a global stage.
Sources: Agencia Gov
