NASA Space Apps Challenge returns to Dublin with the support of leading names from across industry and academia. The Dublin organising team of the NASA Space Apps Challenge have announced local partners for 2025. InnaLabs Ltd., a key player in Ireland’s fast-growing space sector, will serve as the 2025 Lift-Off Partner.
A stellar line-up of organisations completes the list of Local Collaborators:
These organisations provide mentoring, outreach, and specialist support in space technologies, Earth observation, data science, education, and design.
NASA Space Apps Challenge is the largest annual global hackathon that invites participants to solve challenges using open data from NASA and other national and regional Space Agency partners. Since 2012, it has engaged over 373,000 participants. In 2024, 93,520 registered participants submitted 9,996 projects across 485 local hubs. The 2025 NASA Space Apps Challenge Dublin promotes STEM education, innovation, and science and technology awareness, while helping build a visible, inclusive space ecosystem in Ireland.
This year, the full-house limit was reached well in advance of this highly anticipated event that is due to take place at National College of Ireland’s Mayor Square campus on October 4th and 5th. Registered participants come from a wide range of backgrounds, notably including a group of under-18s who will be supported in developing their projects by educators from NCI’s Early Learning Initiative and dedicated STEM mentors from the College.
Next steps:
The best project from the Dublin hub will advance to NASA’s final judging stages. The judging panel includes:
- Dr. Nicholas J.B. Brereton, Assistant Professor and Ad Astra Fellow, School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, active member of NASA GeneLab and lead of ESA MARCROP and RadioBiome missions
- Dr. Adriana E. Chis, Assistant Professor, Programme Director of the MSc in Cloud Computing, School of Computing, and academic lead of the Code4Europe Project at NCI
- Rebecca Graham, Managing Editor at Silicon Republic, Ireland’s leading voice in science, technology, and innovation
- Dr. Lorraine Hanlon, Astrophysicist, Full Professor of Astronomy at University College Dublin, and academic lead of the EIRSAT-1 CubeSat mission
- Dr. Alberto Torasso, Vice President of Space Programs at InnaLabs Ltd.
- Rob O'Loughlin, Head of Earth Observation Technologies in Compass Informatics.
This esteemed panel will evaluate submissions and select Dublin’s Global Nominee. Evaluation criteria will include global/local impact, creativity and innovation, scientific validity, relevance to the challenge, and design and communication.
“NASA Space Apps Challenge Dublin continues to support STEM education, innovation, and science and technology awareness. In line with the 2025 global theme ‘Learn, Launch, Lead,’ this year’s edition is focused on building bridges between disciplines, generations, and domains. We’re creating a space where ideas can grow, passion can find its wings, and where the Irish space community becomes stronger, more visible, and open to all.” ~ Paola Vercesi, Space Apps Challenge Dublin Local Lead.
More about the NASA Space Apps Challenge:
NASA Space Apps Challenge is an innovation and public engagement programme under NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. NASA Space Apps Challenge aims to promote transparency, participation, and global collaboration as part of the USA Open Government Initiative by sharing openly available data supplied through NASA and its Space Agency Partners to the public.
First launched in 2012, NASA Space Apps Challenge was created to foster a global community based on core principles of science, innovation, and collaboration. With its first year receiving participants from 17 different countries, it has swiftly grown into an international, globally recognised event and is now the largest global annual hackathon on the planet.
over 93,500 participants took part in the Space Apps Challenge, with the competition encouraging innovation and collaboration across 163 countries.
NASA Space Apps Challenge is funded by NASA Earth Science Division through a contract with Booz Allen Hamilton, Mindgrub, and SecondMuse.
For further information please visit www.spaceappschallenge.org.
You can also connect on LinkedIn.
“This is the third year that the School of Computing at NCI has proudly supported the NASA Space Apps Challenge, with National College of Ireland once again serving as Dublin Mission Control. Having a consistent venue has certainly helped strengthen registrations and partnerships, but the real success comes from the dedication and energy of Paola Vercesi, supported by Dr. Athanasios Staikopoulos, Assistant Professor of Computing, Teresa Murray and Kate O’Brien from the Marketing Department, and our facilities team led by Bertie Kelly, Commercial Manager.” ~ Professor Paul Stynes, Dean of the School of Computing at NCI
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