The 2026 NASA Space Apps Challenge will bring teams together Nov. 14-15 to turn open space data into project ideas, with participation open to people who have never programmed.
People can choose an in-person or online local event, while the virtual Universal Event offers an option for those without a nearby event. Teams can have up to six members, and registration remains open through Nov. 15. NASA describes the challenge as a global hackathon using free and open data.
The challenge covers planning for a human return to the Moon, preparing for missions farther into the solar system and expanding knowledge of the universe. Some prompts involve planning activities near the lunar South Pole or accounting for sunlight and communications constraints. Others concern extended stays on the Moon, Mars surface activities, or tools that make astrophysics data easier to access and visualize.
NASA's Oct. 15 announcement lists more than 500 local events for this year's challenge. The organizer says teams can use open data from NASA and its 17 Space Agency Partners. It reported that the 2025 challenge drew more than 114,000 registered participants across 551 local events worldwide.
NASA says ideas from the challenge could support astronaut health and mission operations on the Moon and Mars, with potential benefits for life on Earth and in space. Nicky Fox, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, said, “At NASA, science is for everyone.”
For anyone younger than 18, a parent or legal guardian must handle registration and stay with them throughout the event.
The challenge portal says project submissions close Nov. 15.