11th CASSINI Hackathon: Space for Water
24-26 April 2026
Ready to tackle global challenges and make a real impact?
We’re seeking innovators passionate about creating solutions for water protection and fair distribution. No space experience needed—just choose a challenge, use EU space tech, and compete for cash prizes up to 9,000€ (1st: 5,000€, 2nd: 3,000€, 3rd: 1,000€) plus 6 months of mentoring. Be sure to review the Rules of Contest before applying. Follow the steps below to join:
Challenge #
Securing equitable and efficient access to water
Access to safe, clean, and reliable water is fundamental to life, health, and sustainable development. However, growing water scarcity, often intensified by climate change, uneven distribution, and inefficient management are putting increasing pressure on communities, economies, and ecosystems.
This challenge invites participants to develop products, devices, or services that leverage European space data, information, and signals from Copernicus and Galileo to improve the management and efficiency of water use, promote conservation, and ensure equitable access for all.
Challenge #
Tracking and preventing water pollution
Water is a vital resource for all life, yet it faces growing threats from chemical, plastic, biological, and industrial pollution. Increasing pressures from agriculture, industry, and urbanization endanger ecosystems, human health, and the long-term availability of clean water. Coastal and marine environments are particularly vulnerable, with maritime pollution posing additional risks to biodiversity, fisheries, and public safety.
This challenge invites participants to develop products, devices, or services that leverage European space data, information, and signals from Copernicus and Galileo to monitor water pollution, track contamination sources, and enable timely interventions that protect aquatic environments and public health.
Challenge #
Disaster risk monitoring
Extreme water events such as droughts, floods, and torrential rains are becoming more frequent and severe, posing serious threats to food production, ecosystems, and human livelihoods worldwide. Tracking changes in soil moisture, groundwater levels, precipitation, and vegetation health is essential to anticipate these disturbances and reduce their impacts.
This challenge invites participants to develop products, devices, or services that leverage European space data, information, and signals from Copernicus and Galileo, to monitor extreme water-related events, provide early warnings, and support resilient adaptation strategies.
The hackathon locations
The 11th CASSINI Hackathon takes place simultaneously across 10 different locations on 24-26 April 2026. Discover the locations below!
Organised by:
Pioneers
Vienna, Austria
Organised by:
Mozaika
Sofia, Bulgaria
Organised by:
Design Terminal
Budapest, Hungary
Organised by:
Consorzio Hypatia
Rome, Italy
Organised by:
Groundstation dotSPACE
Noordwijk, Netherlands
Organised by:
G+D Netcetera
Skopje, North Macedonia
Organised by:
Oxidane
Kristiansand, Norway
Organised by
ARAW
Wroclaw, Poland
Organised by:
Romanian Space Initiative
Bucharest, Romania
Organised by:
Knowledge Innovation Market
Barcelona, Spain
Earth observation
Copernicus
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
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.
EGNOS
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
IRIS2
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...
GOVSATCOM
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
EU SST
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...
The hackathon locations
The 11th CASSINI Hackathon takes place simultaneously across 10 different locations on 24-26 April 2026. Discover the locations below!