Students of SEI USUCT participated in NASA Space Apps Challenge 2025
On October 4–5, 2025, students of the National Research Institute of the Ukrainian State Technical University of Ukraine USUST became part of the world’s largest space hackathon NASA Space Apps Challenge, which took place in Dnipro in an online+offline format. The event brought together teams from all over the world to develop innovative solutions based on NASA open data, and participation in it was a unique opportunity for students to apply their knowledge in practice and feel part of a global community of innovators.
The ORION team was represented by:
- from the Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering: Savchenko Makar (3-АВП-23), Hulyak Anton (3-МЭХт-24), Maslyakova Elizaveta (3-МЭХт-24);
- from the Faculty of Engineering: Zimnenko Viktoriya (4-МР-63), Dubichenko Sofia (1-ЖР-6), Gordienko Alina (4-FIL-65).
As part of the hackathon, the ORION team developed a project for a sustainable, smart city in Antarctica that addresses climate change and resource management. Using NASA satellite data (ICESat-2, GRACE-FO, Landsat 9, OCO-3, NISAR), students monitored the environment and assessed the impact on ecosystems, which helped optimize urban planning solutions.
The city created by the team integrates renewable energy solutions, including space-based solar panels and electric aircraft for logistics, minimizing emissions. Agricultural centers ensure local food production, and an AI system constantly analyzes data in real time, predicts risks, and optimizes resource use. Artificial intelligence also helped create detailed visualizations of the futuristic city and orbiting satellite using the Copilot tool.
Featuring hexagonal honeycomb-shaped buildings covered in moss for temperature regulation and air purification, NASA’s advanced waste recycling systems, hydroponic farms, and controlled environments for sustainable development, the concept demonstrates how technology, innovative infrastructure, and environmental stewardship can combine to create comfortable living in challenging environments.
And although the ORION team did not win this year, its participation in the NASA Space Apps Challenge was an important experience for the students, helping them develop teamwork, creative thinking, and skills in using modern technologies to solve global problems.
The NASA Space Apps Challenge hackathon has been held for 9 consecutive years by the team of the NGO “Noosphere Association” and unites tens of thousands of innovators from over 160 countries around the world. This year’s hackathon set records: 434 participants, 90 teams, 83 projects. Eight teams became winners, who will continue to represent Ukraine on the global stage.
The participation of students of the National Institute of Physics and Technology of the Ukrainian State Technical University in the NASA Space Apps Challenge confirms the high level of training of our students and their readiness for international cooperation, innovative activities, and the development of world-class solutions. We congratulate the ORION team on their active participation and wish them new ideas and success in future technological projects!
