NASA’s Open Government Team saw a great turnout in citizens from around the world gathering for 48 hours to develop software code, technology, and solutions. Teams from every continent gathered to solve challenges that were relevant to both space exploration and social need. From 4/21-22, 2,083 collaborators from 111 organizations in 25 cities and 17 countries addressed 71 challenges. They created 101 unique solutions in 48 hours with 50 submitted for global judging.
I had the pleasure of manning the San Francisco site. It was unseasonably warm in SFO – a sweltering 85 degrees. The coders consumed massive quantities of waffles, bagels, and pizza to fuel their passion for space and their strong desire to contribute to outcomes that improved life for all of us on this amazing blue marble. Tech Shop, which gives the initial impression of a high school shop class, provided the perfect atmosphere for the makers and shakers.
· Satellite Data Correlation System
- Lunar Terrain Roughness Mapper
- Water Sampling System
Challenges like these engage citizens in a meaningful way. It taps into the collective creativity of the crowd and fosters co-creation that quickly and cost-effectively helps agencies advance their mission.