As in years past, the NASA International Space Apps Challenge brought together innovators from around the world to explore how open data and collaboration can help solve some of the most complex challenges facing Earth and space.
This year’s theme, “Learn, Launch, Lead,” encouraged participants to deepen their understanding of science and technology, transform bold ideas into working solutions, and lead their communities through creativity, collaboration, and discovery. Projects spanned everything from climate monitoring and environmental protection to space exploration, planetary defense, and data visualization.
Participants used open-source tools and platforms to address real world problems. And once again, several teams chose to showcase their work using the .earth web domain, reinforcing the strong connection between space based data and the future health of our planet.
While none of the final award winners used a .earth web domain for their project this year, a number of teams created thoughtful and technically impressive projects hosted on .earth websites. The following projects reflect the wide range of creativity and problem solving that defines the NASA Space Apps community:
- Reuse-Reduce.Earth: A finalist project focused on sustainability beyond Earth, these participants developed an AI driven closed loop waste management system designed for long duration Mars missions. Learn more here.
- AstroImpact.Earth: This project explores asteroid impact scenarios through real-time visualization tools. By modeling potential impacts and outcomes, the project helps users better understand planetary defense concepts and the importance of early detection and preparedness. Learn more here.
- TerraTales.Earth: This project brought storytelling into the NASA Space Apps ecosystem, using data driven narratives to help people connect emotionally with planetary science, exploration, and Earth system challenges. Learn more here.
- MeteorMitigate.Earth: Focused on asteroid impact simulation, this project allowed users to explore trajectories, visualize potential impacts, and assess mitigation strategies using NASA and USGS data. It offers an accessible way to understand complex planetary defense scenarios. Learn more here.
- ExoLabs.Earth: An interactive platform that invites users to explore real exoplanet data, visualize distant worlds, and learn how scientists discover planets beyond our solar system. The project blended education, data exploration, and creativity into a single experience. Learn more here.
- SkySight.Earth: This project developed an air quality dashboard that connects space-based data with local environmental insights, showing how satellite observations can inform everyday decisions related to air pollution and public health. Learn more here.
The participation of .earth web domain users reflects a growing trend of teams choosing digital identities that clearly communicate their connection to planetary stewardship.
Whether you are building tools, telling stories, conducting research, or educating communities, the .earth web domain provides a clear signal that your work is connected to the future of our planet.
As we mark ten years of the .earth domain, we are celebrating a global tribe of more than 40,000 organizations and individuals using the online world to push for accountability, transparency, and environmental responsibility. We invite you to join our anniversary promotion and become part of the global .earth domain tribe.
To learn more about securing your .earth domain, visit Voices.Earth. You can also hear directly from organizations and individuals making an impact in our Voices.Earth podcast series.
