4 October, raipur,NIT Raipur to Host NASA International Space Apps Challenge 2025, Chhattisgarh Makes Historic Debut on Global Innovation Map*National Institute of Technology (NIT) Raipur is set to script history by hosting the prestigious NASA International Space Apps Challenge 2025 on October 4 and 5, marking the first-ever edition of this global innovation event in Chhattisgarh. For the first time, the state will become part of the world’s largest annual hackathon that brings together innovators, researchers, and students from across disciplines to address real-world challenges using open-source space data.The event is being jointly organised by the Center of Space and Interplanetary Exploration (COSINE) and the Innovation Cell (I-Cell) of NIT Raipur. More than 400 participants from across India, including over 200 from Chhattisgarh alone, will take part in both online and offline modes. The spectrum of participants ranges from school students to doctoral research scholars, making it one of the most inclusive innovation platforms in the country.Over an intensive 48-hour hackathon, participants will attempt to solve 20–30 problem statements framed by NASA experts, using 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). This year’s global theme, “Learn, Launch, Lead”, underlines the focus on innovation across multiple domains—Planetary Defense (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 Visualization (creating platforms to analyse massive multi-terabyte datasets from space missions), and Space Exploration and Habitat Design (developing futuristic concepts for long-duration space missions).NIT Raipur, as the official Local Lead, has already emerged as a national hub of creativity and collaboration, attracting widespread participation from across the country. The most impactful projects developed at the Raipur edition will advance to the international round, competing for one of NASA’s ten coveted Global Awards.More than just a competition, the hackathon represents a unique opportunity for participants to make open-source contributions to science and technology. By hosting this global innovation challenge, Chhattisgarh positions itself on the international map of research and innovation, reinforcing its role in shaping solutions for the future of space, science, and humanity.
