[LINK] The NASA Space App Challenge .. this weekend

[Stephen Loosley]

Thousands of developers are working on robotics, drones and apps aimed at space exploration

By Sharon Gaudin, Computerworld | Apr 7, 2015 9:13 AM PT


  https://2015.spaceappschallenge.org


NASA this weekend is pulling together more than 10,000 developers, scientists, students and entrepreneurs across 62 countries for a code-a-thon aimed at building technology for space exploration.

Using IBM's cloud development platform, Bluemix, participants will be tasked with developing mobile apps, software, hardware, data visualization and platform solutions. The technology being developed will address one of 35 different challenges across four research topic areas -- outer space, Earth, humans and robotics.

 https://2015.spaceappschallenge.org/challenge/category/robotics/
 https://2015.spaceappschallenge.org/challenge/category/outer-space/

The individual challenges include areas like designing a spacecraft for an asteroid mission, creating a robotic asteroid-hunting machine, and creating a drone to be used on a spacecraft.

Called the NASA Space App Challenge, the three-day code-a-thon will offer participants more than 200 NASA data sources, including data sets, services and tools, supplied through real-life missions and technology.

"IBM is supporting the NASA Space App Challenge because we saw a great opportunity to contribute to an important cause," said Sandy Carter, general manager of IBM's Cloud Ecosystem and Developers. "Not only are we helping participants build applications that will be used to improve space exploration and life on earth - two initiatives that impact all of humanity - but we're also helping them build their skills for cloud development while helping to cultivate an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields."

By working with IBM's Bluemix, developers should be able to use more than 100 cloud-based development tools, ranging from services for Watson analytics to tools for managing data of Internet of Things technologies. They'll also have access to NASA's data via the cloud, as well as being able to quickly compose, test and deploy their apps.

Carter noted that this weekend's challenge is a good opportunity -- not just for NASA to get some important coding done -- but for IBM to show off its cloud platform.

"The challenge is all about data and speed," said Cartner. "NASA is opening more than 200 data sources and asking participants -- some of which are on the same team but based in different cities around the world -- to leverage that data as they build solutions to some of the most daunting challenges facing our civilization in just two days.... Bluemix provides a global platform for these developers to collaborate on as they mine and make sense of that data and ultimately put it to work."

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ADELAIDE: https://2015.spaceappschallenge.org/location/adelaide/

The 2015 SpaceApps Challenge Adelaide is going to be hosted at the Majoran Distillery coworking space. The event is being organized as a collaboration between Majoran, the AIAA Adelaide Student Branch and various other space enthusiasts and hackers.

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BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL SPACE APPS 2015!!

Invitation:  https://2015.spaceappschallenge.org/location/brisbane/

It is with privilege that we invite you to be apart of the NASA International Space Apps Challenge to be hosted at the Microsoft Innovation Centre on the 11th and 12th of April 2015. 

The Brisbane regional round of the International Competition will attract talent from a multiplicity of disciplines, including science, engineering, technology, mathematics, health, law, business, education and creative industries. 

By virtue of invigorating innovation in the NASA challenge, the weekend long event will embrace keynote speakers, mentors, demonstrations, interactive workshops, and networking.

Registrations are now open: https://2015.spaceappschallenge.org/register/brisbane/ 

NASA educates and empowers students to acquire knowledge and skills in the disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, by way of thinking boldly, taking initiative and acting globally. 

It would be an honour to support all those interested in participating in fulfilling their personal, academic and career aspirations as a part in challenges at the NASA International Space Apps Challenge.

The NASA spaceapps challenge demands collaborative problem solving on a global scale with a goal of producing relevant open-source solutions to address needs applicable to both life on Earth and life in space.

This year, participants will collaboratively develop solutions for challenges that support NASA’s mission directorates in four themes: Earth, Outer space, Humans and Robotics.

We are excited to be hosting this event at the  Microsoft Innovation Centre as it offers great spaces for innovative solutions to germinate. A multidisciplinary approach to effectuating the projects will be most advantageous for the development of extraordinary designs. 

We will be facilitating the formation of elite trans-disciplinary teams who will have the potential to collaborate with groups on aerospace projects virtually, on a national or international level. 

As the official hosts of the NASA event in Brisbane, we are dedicated to the delivery of an event of high distinction at the Queensland Microsoft Innovation Centre.

Please join our Facebook event page: NASA INTERNATIONAL SPACEAPPS: BRISBANE 

We are excited to see you at the Brisbane NASA event!

Alexandra Tran & Yasseen Abdel-Magied

Register via: https://2015.spaceappschallenge.org. This is through the official NASA website.

There will be awesome prizes on the day. Any Questions? Email the leads or post on Facebook

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Cheers people
Stephen Loosley
Member, Victorian
Institute of Teaching