#spaceapps2020

Engineering innovation cannot be an iterative process in which each cycle is simply an improvement on the previous cycle. A more questioning approach must be taken in order to arrive to innovations that benefit users and stakeholders in the process of invention.

Here is a fascinating paper on Design Thinking vs. Systems Thinking for Engineering and how they can complement each other in enabling complex-system innovation and engineering.  Read the paper here.

On a similar note, Design Thinking for Aerospace Systems Innovations

Hello! I’m Marco and I am great at bringing people to dream together, to structure creativity, innovation, prototyping and pitching. I make the dryest topics sound sexy! And I just won the first prize of the Copernicus Hackathon 2020. I’m a Digital Transformation and Innovation consultant, User Experience strategist, researcher and Design Thinking facilitator at TCS, a Creative Director / Art Director at Havas Worldwide and BBDO, web designer, information architect and (way back when) architectural draftsman. I’m also a DJ and I paint sci-fi landscapes in my spare time.

How about you?

Very important to keep in mind: aside from using NASA's data sources... here are the winning categories: (View more here)

Data The solution that best makes data accessible, or leverages it to a unique application.

Best Use of Technology The solution that exemplifies the most innovative use of technology.

Best Mission Concept The solution with the most plausible solution concept and design.

Galactic Impact The solution with the most potential to improve life on Earth or in the universe.

Most Inspirational The solution that captures our hearts.

The challenges have just been released, and they look GOOD! But where to start? Here's my favourites:

1. OBSERVE: Hey! What Are You Looking At?

Your challenge is to make the appeal of the HEASARC and CADC data broader and allow users easier and simpler access, for example via mobile or web interfaces. Info

2. INFORM: Automated Detection of Hazards

Your challenge is to choose an interesting phenomenon and develop a machine learning model that automatically detects it in satellite data. Then, develop a visual interface— such as a web application or tool— that not only displays the detected phenomenon, but also layers it alongside ancillary data to help researchers and decision-makers better understand the impacts and scope of the phenomenon. Info

3. SUSTAIN: Sleep Shift Scheduling Tool

Your challenge is to develop a tool or application that encompasses these important aspects of sleep, exercise, and nutrition. Info

4. CREATE: Let's Connect!

Your challenge is to design a mechanism to facilitate in-space assembly and docking.  This is a concept design/mechanism architecture challenge rather than a software challenge. How could you help build the shipyards and space hotels of tomorrow? What kind of mechanism will you design? Can your design roughly align and then precisely position two components relative to each other in space? Can it pull two components together, and lock them on contact? Info

5. CONNECT: Can you hear me now?

Your challenge is to design an interactive application to explore the challenge of communicating with astronauts on Mars from Earth. Think about all of the different methods of communication we use here on Earth, including communicating with astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Which of these methods would still be useful on Mars, and which may not be easy to implement? Info