NASA To Hold International Space Apps Challenge; Will You Join The 48-Hour Hackathon?

If you're a tech-savvy and a fan of the outer space, mark the date from April 22 to April 24 because that's when NASA's International Space Apps Challenge is going to happen.

In a press release by NASA, the main stage for this year's event is in Pasadena, California, but there would be live streaming of simultaneous events in 193 locations from 72 countries taking part on this much-anticipated event.

The Space Apps Challenge is an open data mission involving a global community of thinkers and innovators. It is a 48- to 72-hour hackaton, where participants from all over the globe will collaborate with each other to solve problems. In order to succeed, participants must complete tasks and obstacles designed not just to entertain but to give birth to remarkable innovations as well. Problems can be solved using various processes.

NASA said that the participants will be asked to develop mobile applications, software, hardware, data visualizations and platform solutions, which will be significant to space explorations and the improvement of life on Earth.

This year's International Space Apps Challenge includes a data boot camp that will be streamed live from California on April 22. The boot camp is open to the public and will give a crash course on computer coding and data.

Deborah Diaz, chief technology officer for information technology, said, "We're reaching out to women's organizations influential in the data and maker communities to participate, and we encourage women-led teams in the hackathon."

This year, there will be 26 challenges within six mission-related categories including Aeronautics, Earth, International Space Station, Journey to Mars, Solar System and Beyond and Space Technology.

The good news is that you don't have to be an expert HTML coder, astrophysicist or aeronautic engineer to join the event. According to the Space Apps Challenge's organizer, the game is open for everyone. For the organizers, what matters most is a person's passion for problem-solving.

If you want to unlock the geek in you and somehow collaborate with NASA, this is the perfect time to unleash your tech-savvy alter ego and help make the world (and the outer space) a better place.