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Space Apps Challenge

From to , participants from Halifax, Ottawa, Toronto, Hamilton, Waterloo, Calgary and Vancouver will join programmers, designers, students, engineers and entrepreneurs from around the world to create innovative applications at NASA's Space Apps Challenge . Even young people will be able to join a youth virtual event this year. This 48-hour programming marathon will, for the first time, take place virtually in cities around the world. Participants will share ideas and use open data to solve real-world problems on Earth and in space.

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is participating in the Space Apps Challenge for a fourth consecutive year. Several CSA mentors will be present on the collaborative platforms to talk to participants and answer questions. Once again this year, participants will be invited to use Canadian data either to solve NASA challenges or to amaze us with their own challenge.

CSA prizes

If you use Canadian data to solve a challenge, register via our form for the chance to win one of the prizes offered by the CSA.

Individual prizes

A personalized electronic certificate signed by a Canadian astronaut for each participant.

Local prizes

A Space Apps Challenge Canada computer bag containing several CSA giveaways for each member of the local winning teams.

Youth prizes

A Space Apps Challenge Canada computer bag containing several CSA giveaways for each member of the youth winning team.

Global Canadian prize

Mentoring sessions with CSA experts.

Special prize for World Space Week

The team demonstrating the best use of Earth observation (EO) data will win a virtual discussion with an EO expert, as well as a CSA water bottle and lanyard for each member of the team.

Canadian data

Canadian data to tackle NASA challenges or your own challenge
NASA challenge Canadian data to help you
Category: Observe
A One Health Approach
  • MOPITT
    The MOPITT instrument onboard the NASA Terra satellite is the longest-running air pollution monitor in space today (20 years of carbon monoxide [CO] data this year!). With its global concentration datasets that indicate not only the total level of CO, but also CO as a function of altitude (atmospheric profiles), the dataset is ready for your use!
  • SCISAT
    This satellite measures more atmospheric gases than any other in the world. Its dataset contains multiple air pollutants (NO, NO2, SO2, CO, CH4, and CFCs) for you to use, including unique atmospheric profile data for each gas (concentration as a function of altitude). The dataset is ready for your team to study and link to human health, particularly over Earth's poles (Arctic and Antarctic). Enjoy!
  • OSIRIS
    This dataset is used by Environment Canada to study nitrogen dioxide pollution throughout the atmosphere around the globe. When combined with other NO2 datasets, it can be used to measure NO2 profile concentrations that are closest to Earth's surface, like nothing else.
  • RADARSAT Constellation Mission and RADARSAT-1 data
    The "One Health Approach" and air quality concept is linked to ground information (sources of pollution, industries, cities, road network, etc.). Radar data products can be used to identify ground infrastructure and upscale your solution!
  • Government of Canada Open Information and Data about Coronavirus and COVID-19
  • CSA Open data portal
    The CSA makes scientific data available to researchers, students, industry and the public. Come explore!
  • Government of Canada Open Data Portal
  • Government of Canada Open Maps Portal
Category: Observe
Scanning for Lifeforms
Category: Observe
Hey! What are you looking at?
  • NEOSSat
    Data from the world's first space telescope dedicated to detecting and tracking asteroids and satellites. Unlike ground-based telescopes, NEOSSat is able to track satellites and space debris in a wide variety of locations and not be limited by geographic location, the day-night cycle, or weather.
  • Canadian Astronomy Data Centre
    This is one of the well-known astronomy data providers. Its search system will give you access to data from a wide range of satellites and telescopes.
  • CSA Open data portal
    The CSA makes scientific data available to researchers, students, industry and the public. Come explore!
Category: Observe
Home Planet at Your Fingertips
Category: Inform
What's Our Carbon Footprint?
  • MOPITT
    The MOPITT instrument onboard the NASA Terra satellite is the longest-running air pollution monitor in space today (20 years of carbon monoxide data this year!). With its global concentration datasets that indicate not only the total level of CO, but also CO as a function of altitude (atmospheric profiles), the dataset is ready for your use!
  • SCISAT
    Canada's ozone and ozone-depleting substance mission measures more carbon-containing molecules than any other satellite in the world (CO, CO2, CH4, CH3OH, HCOOH, H2CO, OCS, HCN, C2H2, C2H4, C2H6). All this data is uniquely available in atmospheric profile format with particular attention to Earth's poles (Arctic and Antarctic). Whatever carbon story you want to tell to policy makers, SCISAT has the data to help you!
  • CSA Open data portal
    This portal hosts many datasets linked to Earth science such as atmospheric science, space environment and weather. Come explore!
  • Government of Canada Open Data Portal
  • Government of Canada Open Maps Portal
Category: Inform
Automated Detection of Hazards
  • RADARSAT Constellation Mission
    Some sample radar image products selected by the CSA can be used to monitor and map hazards (soil movements, landslides, floods, fire scars in vegetation, oil spills, etc.).
  • Earth Observation Data Management System
    This system allows access to many data products and even to 36,000 historical RADARSAT-1 satellite images.
  • MOPITT
    CO is an immediate product of forest fires. MOPITT data is used regularly with surface observations to illustrate concentrations of this toxic gas through the atmosphere and how this pollution is transported from the source location to other parts of the world.
  • CASSIOPE
    The CASSIOPE satellite observes Earth's ionosphere and collects data on the effects of solar storms and, more specifically, their harmful impact on radio communications, satellite navigation and other space- and ground-based technologies. Consult a suite of eight science instruments to upscale your solution!
Category: Inform
Mission to Planet Earth: A Digital History
  • MOPITT
    The MOPITT instrument onboard the NASA Terra satellite is the longest-running air pollution monitor in space today (20 years of carbon monoxide data this year!). With its global concentration datasets that indicate not only the total level of CO, but also CO as a function of altitude (atmospheric profiles), the dataset is ready for your use!
  • Earth Observation Data Management System
    This system allows access to many data products and even to 36,000 historical RADARSAT-1 satellite images.
  • CSA Open data portal
    This portal hosts many datasets linked to Earth science such as atmospheric science, space environment and weather. Come explore!
  • Government of Canada Open Data Portal
  • Government of Canada Open Maps Portal
Category: Sustain
Planet, With People
Category: Sustain
Sustaining the Planet for Future Generations (youth challenge)
Category: Create
Virtual Planetary Exploration
  • Rover fleet
    Get direct access to a series of field tests to replicate scenarios of a lunar sample return mission.
  • LIBS
    Access data from laser plasma emission spectroscopy (LIBS). The data was obtained from 68 samples of rocks and minerals via Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy.
  • CSA Open data portal
    The CSA makes scientific data available to researchers, students, industry and the public. Come explore!
Category: Create
Putting the 'Art' in Artemis
Category: Create
Let's Connect
  • CSA Open data portal
    The CSA makes scientific data available to researchers, students, industry and the public. Come explore!
Category: Create
Breakthrough
  • CSA Open data portal
    Come explore some space exploration data! The CSA makes scientific data available to researchers, students, industry and the public.
Category: Create
Create a Mascot!
(youth challenge)
Category: Confront
Better Together
Category: Confront
Spot That Fire V3.0
  • MOPITT
    CO is an immediate product of forest fires. MOPITT data is used regularly with surface observations to illustrate concentrations of this toxic gas through the atmosphere and how this pollution is transported from the source location to other parts of the world.
Category: Confront
A Flood of Ideas
Category: Connect
Can You Hear Me Now?
  • Rover data
    Get direct access to a series of field tests to replicate scenarios of a lunar sample return mission, including long-distance communications.
Category: Connect
Orbital Sky
  • NEOSSat
    Data from the world's first space telescope dedicated to detecting and tracking asteroids and satellites. Unlike ground-based telescopes, NEOSSat is able to track satellites and space debris in a wide variety of locations and not be limited by geographic location, the day-night cycle, or weather.
  • Canadian Astronomy Data Centre
    This is one of the well-known astronomy data providers. Its search system will give you access to data from a wide range of satellites and telescopes.
Category: Connect
Space Exploration in your Backyard
Category: Connect
Data Discovery for Earth Science
  • MOPITT on NASA's Terra satellite
    From regional air pollution sources (fires, industry, vehicles, etc.), MOPITT CO data is available for you to integrate into your solution!
  • SCISAT
    This satellite measures more atmospheric gases than any other in the world. Its dataset contains multiple air pollutants (NO, NO2, SO2, CO, CH4, and CFCs) for you to use, including unique atmospheric profile data for each gas (concentration as a function of altitude). The dataset is ready for your team to study and link to human health, particularly over Earth's poles (Arctic and Antarctic). Enjoy!
  • OSIRIS
    This dataset is used by Environment Canada to study nitrogen dioxide pollution throughout the atmosphere around the globe. When combined with other NO2 datasets, it can be used to measure NO2 profile concentrations that are closest to Earth's surface, like nothing else.
  • CSA Open data portal
    The CSA makes scientific data available to researchers, students, industry and the public. Come explore!
  • Government of Canada Open Data Portal
  • Government of Canada Open Maps Portal
CSA's Bring your own Challenge

Amaze us! Create your own challenge and design your own innovative solution. Just be sure to use Canadian data.

Browse through these two open data portals to find accessible and reusable data.

Previous Space Apps Challenge editions

Explore further

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