NIT Raipur set to host NASA international space apps challenge for first time in Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR: The National Institute of Technology (NIT), Raipur, is set to host the prestigious NASA International Space Apps Challenge 2025 on Saturday and Sunday. The event marks the first time this major global innovation challenge takes place in Chhattisgarh, placing the state on the international research map.


The Space Apps Challenge is the world’s largest annual hackathon. It brings innovators, researchers, and students from various disciplines together to use open-source space data to solve real-world challenges.


The Center of Space and Interplanetary Exploration (COSINE) and the Innovation Cell (I-Cell) of NIT Raipur are jointly organising the event. Over 400 participants from across India, including more than 200 from Chhattisgarh alone, will take part in both online and offline modes. The participants range from school students to doctoral research scholars, making it one of the most inclusive platforms in the country.


During the intensive 48-hour hackathon, participants will address 20 to 30 problem statements formulated by NASA experts. They will utilise datasets and resources provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and its 14 international partner space agencies, including the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).


NIT Raipur, serving as the official local lead, has attracted widespread participation from across the country. The most impactful projects developed at the Raipur edition will progress to the international round. The teams will compete for one of NASA’s ten coveted Global Awards.


The hackathon provides a unique opportunity for participants to make open-source contributions to science and technology. By hosting this global challenge, Chhattisgarh reinforces its role in shaping solutions for the future of space, science, and humanity.

The global theme for this year is "Learn, Launch, Lead". The challenges focus on innovation across multiple domains:

Planetary Defence: Developing tools to mitigate risks from near-Earth objects.

Earth Science and Climate Action: Using real-time satellite data to track air quality, predict weather, and support sustainable farming.

Astrophysics and Data Visualisation: Creating platforms to analyse large, multi-terabyte datasets from space missions.