The International Space Applications Challenge, in its 12th edition, NASA Space Apps Beirut Challenge – Hackathon 2023, has kicked off at the Lebanese University of Louaize - Zouk Mosbeh on October 7-8, 2023. This event is the largest annual hackathon in the world and is officially sponsored by the Head of the Cultural Affairs and Fine Arts Department at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Ms. Sonia Khoury, along with Major Mike Ayoub from the Civil-Military Cooperation Directorate (CIMIC) and the local space applications leader in Lebanon, Mr. Antoine Tannous.
This challenge brings together a number of specialists to find solutions to terrestrial and space-related problems in collaboration with humanitarian, cultural, and educational institutions. Participants from various regions in Lebanon, including Beirut, Jbeil, Keserwan, Zahle, Sidon, Baalbek, Tripoli, Nabatiyeh, and Akkar, are involved alongside local and global organizations and in coordination with 11 space agencies. Lebanon is participating for the third time in this challenge after achieving several historical accomplishments over the past two years.
The "International Space Applications Challenge" affiliated with NASA gathers thousands of people from Lebanon and around the globe to work with publicly available agency data in a 48-hour competition, where a panel of experts will select the winning teams. The prizes include an invitation to visit a rocket launch platform in the United States.
It is worth noting that the results of this challenge were announced on the night of Thursday, October 13, and are as follows:
- First place: Aberration from the Lebanese University of Louaize
- Second place: AD ASTRA from the Lebanese University of Louaize
- Third place: AurOracle
- Audience choice: Solari
These four teams will participate in the global competition, hoping for victory and to achieve their dream in the realm of space.
