Malaysia will join a worldwide community of developers, scientists, designers, students and technology innovators when NASA Space Apps Challenge Kuala Lumpur 2026 takes place online on 14 and 15 November 2026.
The 48-hour event is part of the annual NASA Space Apps Challenge. Participants will transform open data from NASA and its Space Agency Partners into working prototypes, interactive tools, games, visualisations and software applications.
Under the 2026 global theme, “The Next Frontier”, participants will address 14 challenges covering artificial intelligence, astronaut’s health, earth observation, satellite data, software development, agriculture, disaster response, space exploration, human missions, astrophysics and digital education.
The free event is open to participants of all ages, skill levels, and professional backgrounds. Age restrictions may apply to local events. Participants may enter individually or form teams of up to five members.
A Technology-Focused Challenge from Orbit to Application
The 2026 challenge portfolio reflects how space data and space-engineering research can be applied beyond traditional astronomy. Participants will work with satellite observations, scientific datasets, mission information and digital tools to create applications for environmental monitoring, agriculture, health, public safety, education and future space missions.
Teams can build an Earth-system trend detection tool that identifies and visualises significant environmental changes over time. Another challenge asks participants to use radar data from the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar mission to track changes such as wildfires, wetland loss, earthquakes, farming activity and glacier movement.
The Field Shift challenge focuses on agricultural technology. Participants will combine NASA Earth observations with soil information, crop characteristics and farmer priorities to explore crop-rotation strategies that could help farms adapt to changing temperatures, rainfall and water availability.
The Harmonization of MODIS and VIIRS Hot Spots challenge asks teams to combine active-fire records from different satellite instruments into a web application. The proposed tool could help emergency responders, scientists and land managers examine historical fire patterns, unusual conditions and periods of increased risk.
Other challenges cover Martian mapping, lunar landing-site planning, public access to SPHEREx sky data, microgravity fire research and the design of complete space missions.
Health Technology Included Among the 14 Challenges
Health is addressed directly through Create Health Monitoring Software for Astronauts on Space Missions. Participants will develop software to help astronauts monitor health indicators and respond to risks associated with radiation, isolation, confinement, altered gravity and long-duration missions.
The challenge also provides a technology pathway for exploring remote monitoring, human performance and healthcare delivery in isolated environments.
The health connection reflects a longer history of technology transfer from space programmes to healthcare. Space agencies developed remote monitoring systems to track astronauts’ cardiovascular health, sleep, exercise and medication. Similar models are now used to support patients with heart failure, diabetes, chronic lung disease and post-operative recovery in their homes.
Other space-derived technologies with applications on Earth include wearable vital-sign sensors, remote-guided ultrasound, digital medical imaging, air filtration, water purification, radiation monitoring, portable laboratory devices and advanced prosthetics.
Space research has also contributed to understanding bone loss, muscle wasting, immune changes, sleep disruption, balance disorders and the effects of isolation. These findings support research into osteoporosis, rehabilitation, falls prevention, neurological care and long-term illness.
PP Health Malaysia (PPHM) is the Official Media Partner for NASA Space Apps Kuala Lumpur 2026. Together with its research arm, Centre for Health Intelligence & Media Evidence (CHIME), PPHM will participate in and support the event. PPHM will also present a Special Health Tech Award to the team that develops the best health-focused application using NASA data.
From Hackathon Prototype to Commercial Technology
This year’s local event is organised by STREEAMD Mind® Global, with its co-organising partner, Socralytics.
Dr Yogeswaran Tamil Selvam of STREEAMD Global has served as the NASA Space Apps Challenge Kuala Lumpur Local Lead since 2023. With 25 years of experience in the aviation industry, he is a flight simulator engineer specialising in the Airbus A320, Airbus A330 and Boeing 737-800.
“NASA Space Apps Challenge connects young innovators with NASA’s open data and real-world challenges, fostering global collaboration and technological innovation,” said Dr Yogeswaran.
“Through STREEAMD Mind’s Eight Pillars (fo8p) — Science, Technology, Research, Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Art, Mathematics and Design — we strive to nurture multidisciplinary thinkers, creative problem-solvers and future-ready talent who will strengthen Malaysia’s technology ecosystem and develop solutions with global impact.”
Tony Yap, Founder of Socralytics and co-organising partner, said the challenge gives participants an opportunity to turn space and Earth data into practical solutions for both commercial and non-commercials applications.
“The NASA Space Apps Challenge offers a unique opportunity to transform the extensive data available from space and Earth into practical solutions for real-world challenges, including business, tech, AI and healthcare,” said Tony Yap. “By encouraging creative problem-solving with NASA’s open data, participants can develop innovations that benefit communities and improve lives.”
Tony Yap was among the Malaysian winners of the 2023 NASA Space Apps Challenge Kuala Lumpur. His project, centred on modular AI for space travel, was selected as a Global Nominee and subsequently awarded an Honourable Mention from the NASA International Space Apps Challenge Global Organising Team under NASA’s Earth Science Division.
The technology Tony developed through the project has since progressed into Sentiome AI™ Tech, which is being developed for commercial applications, including an AI chatbot and AI technology-building platform. Its development illustrates how hackathon ideas can progress beyond competition submissions into commercially relevant technology with broader commercial and social values.
Michael Woo, Founder of YP&Co and ADGE Accounting, the event’s business advisory sponsor, highlighted the importance of sound commercial planning for technology teams.
“A strong technology solution requires a strong business foundation,” said Woo. “Teams developing products based on NASA, space-agencies or any other technology should consider incorporation, accounting, taxation and cash-flow planning from the outset. Maintaining reliable records, understanding applicable tax obligations, and separating personal and company finances can help prevent costly issues later while giving founders and investors clearer information for investment and growth decisions.”
Organised by STREEAMD Mind® Global with Socralytics
The local event is organised by STREEAMD Mind® Global, with its co-organising partner, Socralytics.
The event will be led by Dr. Yogeswaran Tamil Selvam, who has served as the NASA Space Apps Kuala Lumpur local host leader since 2023. Socralytics, represented by its founder, Tony Yap, serves as the co-organising partner, Technical Lead and Training Partner. It also serves as the Technology Supplier, Digital Platform Provider and Technology Tools Sponsor. Socralytics will support participant training, digital access, technical coordination, platform delivery and the technology tools used during the virtual hackathon.
Approved by the Ministry of Education Malaysia
NASA Space Apps Kuala Lumpur 2026 is an approved programme of the Ministry of Education Malaysia, under reference KPM.600-12/1/4 Jld.84(66).
The programme incorporates the National Digital Education Policy and the National Space Policy Action Plan, Malaysia Space Exploration 2030 (MSE2030).
Its focus on open data, coding, artificial intelligence, data visualisation, scientific research, design and collaborative problem-solving supports Malaysia’s efforts to strengthen digital learning and future technology capabilities.
The event is open to participants across Peninsular Malaysia, including Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Selangor, Terengganu, the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.
The organisers are working towards 8,000 verified participants.
From Local Participation to Global Recognition
Participants will submit projects online by 11:59 p.m. on 15 November 2026. Local judging will take place from 16 to 21 November.
The top nine local projects will be recognised as National Champions and may be submitted as Global Nominees. Global projects are reviewed by experts from NASA and participating Space Agency Partners.
Global award categories include Best Use of Technology, Best Use of Data, Best Use of Science, Galactic Impact, Best Mission Concept, Local Impact, Global Connection and Art & Technology.
All eligible participants will receive an e-certificate. Local winners will receive certificates of achievement.
NASA Space Apps has recorded more than 487,000 registrations, over 3,400 local events, participation from more than 190 countries and territories, and collaboration with 17 Space Agency Partners across its history.
Registration and event schedule
Registration remains open until 13 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. local time.
The virtual hackathon will run from 8:00 a.m. on 14 November until 11:59 p.m. on 15 November 2026. Participation categories are available for ages 10-12, 13-17 and 18-30.
National winners will be announced on 25 November, followed by the global nominees announcement on 30 November. Global finalists and honourable mentions are scheduled for 17 December, with the Global Top 10 Winners announcement scheduled for 27 January 2027.
Participants can register by creating a NASA Space Apps account, selecting the Kuala Lumpur local event and joining or forming a team of up to five members.
Registration information is available at:
https://klspacechallenge.by.pixelsium.com/
Participants are encouraged to share their preparations and projects using #nasaspaceappskualalumpur26.
About NASA Space Apps Kuala Lumpur 2026
NASA Space Apps Kuala Lumpur 2026 is a virtual local event under the 2026 NASA Space Apps Challenge. It is organised by STREEAMD Mind® Global, with its co-organising partner, Socralytics.
The programme is approved by the Ministry of Education Malaysia under reference KPM.600-12/1/4 Jld.84(66) and incorporates the National Digital Education Policy and the National Space Policy Action Plan, Malaysia Space Exploration 2030.
PP Health Malaysia (PPHM) is the official media partner. Socralytics is the co-organising partner, Technical Lead, Training Partner, Technology Supplier, Digital Platform Provider and Technology Tools Sponsor. The event is supported and powered by various supporting and sponsoring partners including SMILES, School Space Squad, Digital Pro House, Pixelsium, Parsimoni, YP&Co, ADGE Accounting, Harry, L, PR by Expergent and others.
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