Space Technology against climate crisis

Photo: CASSINI

Translation: Stefán Ari Dahl

The CASSINI Hackathon will take place at Reykjavík University over the days November 5th-7th. Participants will have the opportunity to use the European Space Agency’s space technology to tackle the challenges in the Arctic caused by global warming. This complex region is ever-changing as the unique ecosystem adapts to the climate crisis, bringing with it new challenges and opportunities on land and at sea. CASSINI Hackathons and Mentoring is the EU’s pioneer accelerator regarding space-related subjects. This is the second time the hackathon is being held simultaneously in ten locations across Europe. It will provide access to pre-processed Arctic data from Copernicus, Galileo and EGNOS, as well as on-demand training and other valuable tools to help participants take on one of three challenges: Safe passage at sea, life on land and caring for our wildlife.

From its highly transited shipping routes, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, to its role in regulating global temperatures, the Arctic is responsible for much of the way we live. Using space technology, innovators will hash out ideas to protect the Arctic. They will design products, devices, or services, to enable shipping vessels to navigate safely across our Nordic seas and to enable human societies, plants and wildlife to better adapt to the Arctic climate, or to help protect biodiversity and the natural habitat of wildlife in the Arctic.

Throughout a series of brainstorming and matchmaking sessions, before the hackathon takes place, participants will hear some inspirational success stories and interesting talks. They will meet the mentors, get to know the challenges’ ins and outs, and dive deeper into the problems facing the Arctic region. Then, during the weekend of 5-7 November, participants will be a part of a 48-hour long hacking marathon, full of brainstorming, teamwork and top-notch industry mentoring sessions. Our mentors include Ari Kristinn Jónsson, President of Reykjavík University and former NASA scientist; Helgi Hrafn Gunnarsson, a former member of parliament; Bala Kamallakharan, founder and CEO of Startup Iceland; and many more!

The best ideas will be awarded at both local and EU levels. In Reykjavik, the best idea will receive a prize of €5000, the prize for second and third place are 2000 EUR and 1000 EUR. The overall winners of the CASSINI Hackathons will enter a six-month mentoring programme which includes 100 hours of customized expert-mentoring.

Startup Iceland is the local organizer for the hackathon in Reykjavik. It’s a non-profit organization that regularly hosts events related to entrepreneurship and innovation. The goal of the organization is to create a sustainable start-up ecosystem that will nurture Icelandic companies for years to come.  

Registration for the event is open at hackathons.cassini.eu until October 29th. No previous experience is required and you don’t need to be part of a group before the hackathon takes place! The hackathon is open to anyone with a passion for entrepreneurship, the Arctic and EU space technologies.