Space Apps by the Numbers

Results and metrics for the annual NASA International Space Apps Challenge

2024 NASA Space Apps Challenge

93,520

Registered Participants

15,444

Teams

485

Local Events

163

Countries/Territories

9,996

Projects Submitted

15

Space Agency Partners

120

Subject Matter Experts

26

Navigators

2024 NASA International Space Apps Challenge Infographic_PNG

Infographic Terminology Guide
  • Registered Participants: The number of people registered for a particular year’s NASA Space Apps Challenge
  • Teams: Groups of 1–6 participants addressing challenges
  • Countries/Territories: Regions with registered participants
  • Top 5 Countries: Locations with the largest number of registered participants
  • Universal Event Registrations: A virtual registration option for participants without a nearby Local Event
  • Global Offers: Optional free tools and resources provided by Global Collaborators to support projects
  • Navigators: Demonstrated excellence in the NASA Space Apps Challenge or relevant NASA programs and provide their expertise to guide participants
  • Amplification Collaborators: Companies/organizations that promote the NASA Space Apps Challenge in their communities
  • Social Mentions Reach: Number of people who came across NASA Space Apps content on social media
  • Subject Matter Experts: NASA experts who create challenge statements and support answering participant questions
  • Local Events: In-person, virtual, or hybrid events led by a Local Lead for participants in a particular city
  • Space Agency Partners: Space agencies worldwide that provide space-based data, expertise, and judging support
  • Challenges: The challenge statements utilizing NASA data for participants to address
  • Projects Submitted: Final team creations submitted for judging

The Growth of NASA Space Apps

Cumulative statistics over the history of the NASA Space Apps Challenge.

373k+

Registrations

2800+

Local Events

185+

Countries/Territories

15

Space Agency Partners

The NASA Space Apps Challenge wasn’t always the largest annual global hackathon.

The first NASA Space Apps Challenge in 2012 was attended by approximately 2,000 people at 25 events in 17 countries. Since then, the program has grown rapidly to over 93,500 participants.

space_apps_registration_over_the_years_2024

Engagement with the NASA Space Apps Challenge reached new heights in 2020, during the pandemic, with the addition of the NASA Space Apps COVID-19 Challenge to the annual hackathon. In 2024, the event welcomed a record 93,500+ registered participants at 485 Local Events in 163 countries/territories.

In the early years, the NASA Space Apps Challenge focused mainly on space science and technology. In 2017, however, it moved under the NASA Earth Science Division to encompass challenges in both Earth and space sciences. Today, the NASA Space Apps Challenge now offers an even wider range of challenges, blending technology with arts and humanities. This evolution has resulted in record participation and an impressive rise in projects that creatively merge Earth and space sciences and technology.

The NASA Space Apps Challenge attributes much of its growth and success to its Local Leads. The hackathon wouldn’t be possible without them! Local Leads organize in-person or virtual Local Events for a specific city or town, working to increase local awareness and engagement in the NASA Space Apps Challenge. Local Leads create incredible outcomes in their communities. You can read more about Local Leads in our blog.