Join 8th CASSINI Hackathon: EU Space for Defence and Security

Are you interested in space technology? Learn how to utilise it and design a solution to make Europe safer and stronger during the 8th European CASSINI Hackathon. The hackathon will be held simultaneously in 10 countries from 22-24 November 2024, amongst The Netherlands at the Dutch Innovation Factory in Zoetermeer. The organisation is looking for participants (students, entrepreneurs, engineers, designers, and researchers) and mentors & experts to share their knowlegde with the participating teams. Registration is open until 15 November. Security Delta (HSD) is endorsing partner of the event.

What is CASSINI Hackathon?

The CASSINI Hackathons & Mentoring programme, organised by the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) and the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS), is a Europe-wide initiative designed to foster innovation by leveraging space data. It invites students, graduates, researchers, and early-stage teams/startups to work on digital applications using satellite images, positioning services, and space technologies.

The hackathon provides teams with access to space data, tools, and expert mentorship to turn ideas into solutions. Each location will crown one winning team selected by an expert jury, which will then compete in the finals to win exciting prizes, including six months of mentoring from top space business coaches in Europe. The winners of the edition in The Netherland will also receive prizes. First prize: €1,000, second prize: € 500, special opportunity: An interview on Groundstation.space and a pitch slot at the NL Space Campus Network & Drinks event.

This year’s theme: EU space for defence and security

This year’s CASSINI Hackathon will explore the future of defence and security, focusing on how space-based systems can enhance secure communications, disaster response, and navigation services. Participants will tackle one of three exciting challenges:

1. Enhancing Defence & Security with Geospatial Intelligence
2. Unmanned Drone Applications for Defence & Security Operations
3. Orbital Security: Navigating the Collision Frontier

More info about the challenges

Register

To register, visit the dedicated platform and secure your spot by 15 November. Eligible participants must be 18 or older and reside in the EU or a country associated with Horizon Europe. Teams should consist of 3 to 8 members. Whether you’re bringing a team or joining one, this is your opportunity to make an impact with space data.

Wanted: Hackathon Mentors and Experts

To help the teams on their journey to create innovative solutions, the organisation is looking for mentors and experts. As an expert you will can choose to be avalable all weekend or to be appointed a timeslot in which participants can ask questions. Interested? Please contact martijn.seijger@groundstation.space to learn more.

It would be great if HSD partners are willing to share their expertise on topics like: data integregrity and security, cybersecurity of drone operations, AI, defence applications, pattern recognition, information gathering, authentication of earth observation data, improvement of cyber resilience. Meet the pool of current experts here.

Networking Opportunities: Join Our Networking Event on 22 November

On Friday, 22 November, the Province of South Holland and MKB Digiwerkplaats Haaglanden will host an exclusive networking event in Zoetermeer. This session will provide entrepreneurs and tech professionals a chance to explore the business potential of space technologies. Learn how space data can benefit small businesses and meet others ready to take their innovation to the next level.

The networking event will take place at the Dutch Innovation Factory, followed by the official launch of the CASSINI Hackathon.

Organisation 

The CASSINI Hackathon 2024 is organised by the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) and the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) in collaboration with DotSpace Foundation, Groundstation.Space, Royal Haskoning DHV, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Dutch Innovation Factory, NL Space Campus, Security Delta (HSD), Unmanned Valley Valkenburg, Netherlands Space Office, Hogeschool Utrecht, Gemeente Zoetermeer.

HSD is endorsing partner of the event because it's related to our rounded innovation programme Satellite applications for the Ministry of Justice and Security and current programmes Hacking for Defence and Dual Use of Drones.

More info about the Dutch edition of the Cassini Hackathon.