SpaceApps Challenge Archive
A history of our NASA Space Apps Challenge events
SpaceApps Challenge Archive
Our journey with NASA's global hackathon since 2015
About Our SpaceApps History
Since 2015, we’ve been proud Local Leads for NASA’s International Space Apps Challenge, a global 48-hour hackathon that engages thousands of problem-solvers across the world. Over the years, we’ve organized this event across multiple locations, including Linköping and Gothenburg in Sweden, as well as Craiova, Cluj, Bucharest, Timișoara, and Iași in Romania.
This archive celebrates the achievements of past participants and documents our journey organizing this prestigious global event.
SpaceApps Challenge 2024 - Craiova, Romania
October 5-6, 2024 | Hanul Doctorului, Craiova
The 2024 SpaceApps Challenge in Craiova brought together innovators for another exciting global hackathon, working on NASA's challenges to create space-related solutions.
Key Details:
- Organized by Chenist Cybersecurity, Chenist Academy, and Şcoala Româno-Britanică
- Sponsored by Chenist Academy and ALM Power
- Partners included Chenist Digital, Cluster EduTIC, Caphyon.ro, and others
- Distinguished judging panel with Dr. Mirel Cosulschi, Dr. Mihai Gabroveanu, Florin Sanda, Adrian Tirsogoiu, and Mihai
Event Format:
Teams of up to 6 members collaborated over the 48-hour period, addressing NASA's challenges through innovative solutions. The event included mentorship, demos, and an official judging process.
Official Event PageSpaceApps Challenge 2022 - Craiova, Romania
October 1-2, 2022 | Craiova, Romania
Our 2022 edition in Craiova continued the tradition of bringing NASA's global hackathon to the local community, engaging participants in developing solutions for space-related challenges.
Key Details:
- Part of the global NASA Space Apps Challenge network
- Focus on collaborative problem-solving for Earth and space challenges
- Teams worked on NASA-provided challenges over the 48-hour period
SpaceApps Challenge 2018 - Craiova, Romania
October 19-21, 2018 | Museum of Oltenia, Craiova
The 2018 SpaceApps Challenge in Craiova brought together 87 participants forming 12 teams at the historic Museum of Oltenia to tackle NASA's challenges related to Earth and space.
Key Statistics:
- 87 total participants across 12 teams
- Hosted at the Museum of Oltenia Craiova (Strada Madona Dudu 14)
- Led by organizers Alin Mechenici and David Mitran
- Supported by sponsors including Caphyon, Syncro Soft, and PlusAqua
- Partners included IngeniusHub, Internet Oltenia, and Muzeul Olteniei
Winning Projects:
People's Choice Winner: Sat0NE - "Colonizing Mars Tomorrow"
A project focused on developing innovative solutions for Mars colonization challenges.
Other Notable Projects:
- GroundControlToMajorTom - "Virtual Space Exploration"
- Dark Matter - "Spot That Fire!"
- Hope - "Find My Cryosphere!"
SpaceApps Challenge 2017 - Linköping, Sweden
April 28-30, 2017 | Linköping Science Park, Sweden
The 2017 SpaceApps Challenge in Linköping continued our tradition of bringing NASA's global hackathon to Sweden, encouraging collaboration across diverse backgrounds and disciplines.
Key Details:
- Hosted at Linköping Science Park
- Open to participants of all backgrounds and skill levels
- Focus on creating solutions using robotics, data visualization, hardware, design, and more
- Part of the worldwide network of Space Apps events
Participants worked on NASA's challenges over the 48-hour period, collaborating to develop innovative solutions for space-related problems.
Event InformationSpaceApps Challenge 2016 - Linköping, Sweden
April 22-24, 2016 | CreActive, Mjärdevi Science Park, Linköping
The 2016 SpaceApps Challenge in Linköping was a 48-hour hackathon that brought together programmers, designers, and space enthusiasts for interdisciplinary collaboration on NASA's challenges.
Key Details:
- Organized by Navita Space with Alin Mechenici and Luiza Mara Timoc as local leads
- Hosted at CreActive, Mjärdevi Science Park (Teknikringen 7, Linköping)
- Teams worked on NASA challenges over the 48-hour period
Winning Projects:
Judges' Choice & People's Choice: "Health Check"
A solution for the AirCheck Challenge that aimed to crowd-source environmental and health data. Developed by Julian Grujicic, Mateusz Kloczko, Dmitro Petruk, Daniel Persson Proos, and James Omoya.
Judges' Choice: "LinFun - Immerse World"
A solution for the Space Recreation Challenge, developed by Orlande Bidaux, Tofiqur Rahman, Jourdan Boubi, Soren Molander, Wim Cools, Pia Lodvedt, and Carla Cat Carlson.
Other Notable Projects:
- FunEx - An innovative space exploration project
- Neo Early Warning System - A system for early detection of near-Earth objects
SpaceApps Challenge 2015 - Our Beginning
2015 | Our First Year as NASA Space Apps Local Leads
2015 marked the beginning of our journey with NASA's International Space Apps Challenge. Starting in Sweden, we took on the role of Local Leads, bringing this global hackathon to our communities and starting a tradition that would continue and expand over the years.
Since then, we've organized the event across multiple locations in Sweden and Romania, building a network of space enthusiasts, developers, designers, and problem-solvers dedicated to addressing NASA's challenges.
Impact and Legacy
Our SpaceApps Journey
Locations and Growth
Over the years, we've expanded the SpaceApps Challenge to multiple locations:
- Sweden: Linköping (2015-2017) and Gothenburg (remote editions during COVID)
- Romania: Craiova (5 editions), Cluj, Bucharest, Timișoara, and Iași
Each event has contributed to building local communities interested in space technology and innovation.
Achievements and Recognition
Through our SpaceApps events, we've:
- Engaged hundreds of participants across multiple countries
- Facilitated the development of dozens of innovative space-related projects
- Connected local talent with global space challenges
- Built partnerships with universities, science parks, museums, and technology companies
- Created opportunities for international collaboration and knowledge exchange
Join Us for SpaceApps 2025
The SpaceApps Challenge Continues!
Building on our rich history of SpaceApps events, we're excited to announce the 2025 edition will take place on October 4-5, 2025, at the Centrul Brancusi in Craiova.
Join us as we continue this tradition of innovation, collaboration, and space exploration!
Photo Gallery
Memories from Past SpaceApps Events