The 8th CASSINI Hackathon: EU Space for Defence and Security took place from 22 - 24 November! Watch the livestream here
Ready to tackle global challenges and make a real impact?
We sought innovators passionate about building solutions for a safer Europe. No space experience was needed—participants chose a challenge, used EU space tech, and competed for cash prizes of up to 9,000€ (1st: 5,000€, 2nd: 3,000€, 3rd: 1,000€) plus 6 months of mentoring. Participants were encouraged to review the Rules of Contes before applying. They followed the steps provided to join the event
Challenge #
Enhancing defence & security with geospatial intelligence
Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) now goes beyond imagery to ensure data veracity and cybersecurity in Earth Observation (EO). It supports telecom, surveillance, transport, public health, and real estate sectors.
This challenge asks participants to use data from Copernicus and Galileo to develop solutions for planners, responders, and decision-makers. Focus areas:
- GEOINT for Defence and Security: Improve disaster relief, predict threats, and enhance defence, border control, and anti-piracy.
- New GEOINT Services: Discover new Copernicus services for security, defence, and emergency management.
- Cybersecurity in EO: Identify vulnerabilities in EO systems and improve cyber resilience.
- EO Data Authentication: Use blockchain to validate EO data with Copernicus and historical patterns.
Challenge #
Unmanned drone applications for defence & security operations
Drones hold great potential for defence, security, and civil protection, benefiting European society and creating jobs. The European drone sector is projected to generate over €10 billion annually in services within 20 years. Situational awareness and incident tracking are crucial for defence, surveillance, and rescue services.
This challenge invites participants to use European space data from Copernicus and Galileo to develop impactful solutions in:
- Information gathering: Systems for real-time data during defence, security, and civil operations.
- Responder safety: Improve safety in defence, wildfires, and natural disasters.
- Drone cybersecurity: Mitigate security risks in drone tracking, communication, and positioning.
- Data integrity: Ensure the accuracy of drone-collected data.
- Misuse prevention: Detect and respond to drone misuse, enhancing public safety.
Challenge #
Orbital security: navigating the collision frontier
Can you devise a collision avoidance strategy that leverages Conjunction Data Messages (CDMs) and other advanced techniques to safeguard satellite operations against debris and potential threats? This challenge invites you to develop innovative approaches that enhance Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and ensure secure, uninterrupted satellite missions.
Participants will have access to CDM data and a realistic scenario, prompting them to:
- Assess and mitigate collision risks using CDM and other analytical tools. Software tools and CDM data will be provided.
- Propose viable business models that commercialise these innovative solutions.
The hackathon locations
The 8th CASSINI Hackathon took place simultaneously across 10 different locations on
22 - 24 November 2024. Discover the locations below!
Organised by:
Sopra Steria Benelux
Redu, Belgium
Organised by:
Prague Innovation Institute
Prague, Czechia
Organised by:
Design Terminal
Budapest, Hungary
Organised by:
Fondazione E. Amaldi
Rome, Italy
Organised by:
Artificial Intelligence in Action
Chisinau, Moldova
Organised by:
Stitching Dotspace
Voorburg, Netherlands
Organised by:
Pomeranian Special Economic Zone, Blue Dot Solutions
Gdynia, Poland
Organised by:
Venture Factory
Maribor, Slovenia
Organised by:
Arribes Enlightment
Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain
Organised by:
NGO Metalab
Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
Earth observation
Copernicus is the European Union’s Earth observation programme, looking at our planet and its environment to benefit all European citizens. It offers information services that draw from satellite Earth Observation and in-situ (non-space) data.
Satellite navigation
Galileo is Europe’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), providing improved positioning and timing information with significant positive implications for many European services and users.
The European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) is Europe’s regional satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) that is used to improve the performance of global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs).
Secure connectivity
The IRIS2 Satellite Constellation will offer enhanced communication capacities to governmental users and businesses, while ensuring high-speed internet broadband to cope with connectivity dead zones.
More info...
Secure connectivity
The European Union Governmental Satellite Communications (GOVSATCOM) programme provides secure and cost-efficient communications capabilities to security and safety critical missions.
More info...
Space situational awareness
The SSA initiative will provide Europe and its citizens with complete and accurate information on objects orbiting Earth, on the space environment and on threats coming from space.
More info...
Start and introduction
Welcome address by Guillaume de La Brosse (EC) & Stefan Schneider (EUSPA)
Jury introduction
Pitching
Voting sessions
Winners announcement
The hackathon locations
The 8th CASSINI Hackathon took place simultaneously across 10 different locations on
22 - 24 November 2024. Discover the locations below!