International Hackathon on Space Education, Innovation & Workforce Development

International Hackathon on Space Education, Innovation & Workforce Development

Date: Dec 12–14, 2026
Mode: Online
Organized by: Wings of Aero
Convenor: Ms. Suguna B – Co-Founder & CBO, Wings of Aero

1] About the Hackathon

The International Hackathon on Space Education, Innovation & Workforce Development aims to inspire solutions that strengthen global space literacy, accelerate education technologies, and develop future-ready talent for the rapidly expanding space industry.
This hackathon brings together innovators, students, educators, engineers, technologists, and policy enthusiasts to solve challenges that are critical for building a world-class space workforce ecosystem.

Participants will work on real-world problems in STEM outreach, astronaut training, virtual learning platforms, space career pathways, innovation ecosystems, and space entrepreneurship. The goal is to create scalable, practical, and future-focused solutions to empower the next generation of space explorers and professionals.

2] Problem Statements / Tracks

Track 1: Space STEM Education Access & Inclusion

Problem: Many regions still lack access to quality space education and STEM opportunities.
Expected Solution: Develop innovative outreach frameworks, digital platforms, or low-cost learning modules to make space education accessible and inclusive for diverse communities.

Track 2: AI-Powered Space Learning & Training Tools

Problem: Traditional space training and STEM learning methods lack interactivity and personalized engagement.
Expected Solution: Create AI-based tutoring systems, adaptive learning tools, VR/AR environments, or intelligent simulators for space science and engineering education.

Track 3: Future Space Workforce Skills & Competency Mapping

Problem: There is a growing mismatch between industry needs and the skills taught in academic institutions.
Expected Solution: Propose frameworks, toolkits, or competency roadmaps that map future space job roles with required skills, training modules, micro-credentials, and certification models.

Track 4: Space Entrepreneurship Enablement for Students

Problem: Students lack access to startup incubation resources, mentorship, funding, and innovation pipelines in space entrepreneurship.
Expected Solution: Design incubation models, idea-to-market frameworks, startup toolkits, or mentorship ecosystems specifically focused on student-led space ventures.

Track 5: Virtual & Remote Space Laboratories

Problem: Building physical labs is expensive, and students often lack hands-on exposure to space technologies.
Expected Solution: Develop digital/virtual laboratory platforms, simulation tools, experiment kits, or remote-learning labs focused on astronomy, rocketry, satellite tech, or space robotics.

Track 6: Astronaut Training Education Modules for Students

Problem: Early exposure to astronautics and human spaceflight training is minimal at school and college levels.
Expected Solution: Create simplified training modules, gamified programs, physiological learning tools, or AR-based simulations to introduce students to astronaut training concepts.

Track 7: Industry–Academia Collaboration Frameworks

Problem: Collaboration between universities and space industries is weak and lacks structure.
Expected Solution: Propose models for internships, co-teaching programs, talent pipelines, project-based learning, or innovation challenges linking academia with industry needs.

Track 8: Global Space Community Engagement & Citizen Science

Problem: Space awareness and public engagement in scientific projects remain limited.
Expected Solution: Build platforms for citizen science, collaborative astronomy, open data usage, crowdsourced research, or global student networking.

Track 9: Workforce Automation & Skill Transformation in the Space Sector

Problem: Automation and robotics are rapidly changing workforce needs.
Expected Solution: Suggest plans, tools, or technologies that help upskill or reskill existing or future workers for new-generation jobs in AI, robotics, autonomy, and advanced manufacturing.

Track 10: Individual Student Innovation Challenge

Theme: Any Unique Idea Related to Space Education, Innovation, or Workforce Development
Expected Solution: Students can propose individual groundbreaking concepts that improve space learning, future skills, workforce readiness, or innovation ecosystems.

3] Event Schedule (Three-Day)

📅 Day 1 – December 12, 2026

• 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Inaugural Ceremony & Welcome

• 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Problem Statement Overview & Team Formation

• 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Hackathon Kick-off – Ideation & Research

• 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Mentor Interaction Round 1

📅 Day 2 – December 13, 2026

• 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Concept Development & Prototype Draft

• 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Mentor Interaction Round 2

• 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Mid-Review Submission

• 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Mid-Review Feedback

📅 Day 3 – December 14, 2026

• 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Final Model & Presentation Development

• 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Final Presentations to Jury

• 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Winners Announcement & Closing Ceremony

4] Eligibility & Participation Rules

Team Size:

• Minimum: 2 members

• Maximum: 4 members

Eligibility:

• Open to students (school/college), researchers, educators, professionals, and global innovators.

Code of Conduct:

• Original and ethical work is mandatory.

• Zero tolerance for plagiarism or misuse of AI-generated content.

• Respectful collaboration and adherence to schedule are required.

• Decisions by the jury are final.

5] Evaluation Criteria

1. Innovation & Creativity

2. Practical Application & Social/Educational Impact

3. Technical Implementation & Depth

4. Scalability & Feasibility

5. Presentation Quality, Documentation & Clarity

6] Prizes & Recognition

🏆 Top 10 Winners:

Receive USD 1000 Worth Voucher under the
“Idea to Startup Scheme” – SUKISH GROUP

🏅 Top 3 Winning Ideas:

Will be shared with major organizations for potential seed funding, including:

1. NASA – Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM)

2. ESA Education Office

3. ISRO Capacity Building & Public Outreach Division

4. Blue Origin – Club for the Future

5. SpaceX – Starlink Education & Outreach Initiatives

📜 Certificates

• All participants receive an official Certificate of Participation.

✨ Special Category

• Innovation Awards during WOA International Awards 2026 Series.

🎤 Showcase Opportunity

• Selected projects will be showcased at relevant WOA International Conferences.

📘 Publication

• Shortlisted ideas will be published as abstracts in the WOA International Journal.

7] Registration Section

Indian Team (Up to 4 Members):

Fee: ₹499
Registration Link: https://rzp.io/rzp/OIdx3sUB

International Team (Up to 4 Members):

Fee: USD 50
Registration Link: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/GQX8AYUCPJ7GL

Registration Deadline:

December 5, 2026 (One week before the hackathon)

8] Contact Information

📩 Email: contact@wingsofaero.in
🌐 Website: www.wingsofaero.in/events