Space Apps Ottawa
Participant Information

Space Apps Ottawa 2026

Everything you need for hackathon weekend, including the schedule, location, registration, challenges, and project submissions.

November 13–15, 2026/ Nicol Building, Carleton University · Ottawa + Online
Nov 13–15 · All times EST

Weekend Schedule

All times Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Friday, November 13

7:00 PM Optional Welcome & Kickoff — Nicol Building lobby. Meet organizers, learn about the challenges, ask questions, and find teammates. Recommended for first-time participants.

Saturday, November 14

12:01 AM NASA Challenges Begin — Onsite participation at Nicol Building. Official NASA challenge participants can also participate remotely using instructions provided privately by organizers.
8:00 AM Ottawa Hardware Challenges Begin — Nicol Building, hardware rooms NI 6010 and NI 6011 (6th floor). Onsite participation required.

Sunday, November 15

2:00 PM Optional Presentation Feedback — Onsite participants can present their work in progress and get feedback.
6:00 PM Ottawa Hardware Challenge Judging — Nicol Building lobby. Hardware teams present to local judges.
11:59 PM NASA Project Submission Deadline — Official NASA challenge teams must submit through NASA's platform before 11:59 PM EST.

The Following Week

All week NASA Challenge Local Judging — Ottawa's local judges review NASA challenge projects over the week following the hackathon. We will notify the teams moving on.
Nicol Building

Location & Rooms

Nicol Building, Carleton University

Sprott School of Business
1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario

Exterior Doors

  • Unlocked: 7:00 AM
  • Locked: 7:00 PM

Hardware Challenge Rooms

  • NI 6010 and NI 6011 — 6th Floor

Software Challenge Rooms

  • NI 1020 — 1st Floor
  • NI 3022 — 3rd Floor
  • NI 4022 and NI 4024 — 4th Floor

Nicol Building Lobby

  • Friday welcome session
  • Sunday Hardware Challenge judging

Room change: NI 4010 is unavailable due to exams. Please do not enter this room and keep noise to a minimum nearby.

Carleton Campus Map

Building Access & After-Hours

Exterior building access: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Participants are welcome to remain inside after 7:00 PM to continue working.

Important restrictions:

  • Exterior doors lock at 7:00 PM. If you leave after this time, you may not be able to re-enter.
  • Some internal doors between floors may also lock, limiting movement between rooms and floors.
  • Plan ahead for meals, supplies, personal belongings, and access to teammates.
  • Follow posted building access and safety instructions.
Getting here

Getting Here & Parking

Paid visitor parking is available on the Carleton University campus.

Visitor parking lots and published rates
Lot Published Rates Notes
P2 $5/hour; $20 weekend all-day rate Closest to Nicol. Four-hour restriction may apply.
P4 $20/day on weekends Weekend visitor parking.
P7 $12/day Recommended for all-day parking. Farther from Nicol.
P5A $15/day Additional all-day option.

Rates in CAD, based on Carleton's published 2026 parking information. Verify restrictions and posted signage before parking.

Parking Locations Parking Rates Campus Map

Carleton is accessible via public transit, including O-Train Line 2.

Participants are responsible for their own transportation, parking fees, and fines. Space Apps Ottawa cannot reimburse or validate parking.

On site

Food

Coffee will be provided, but meals and snacks are not included. Please plan accordingly.

Two independent competitions

Choose Your Challenge

NASA · Global competition

NASA International Space Apps Challenge

The official international NASA hackathon.

  • Participate onsite or remotely.
  • Choose from NASA's official 2026 challenges.
  • Teams of up to six registered participants.
  • Every participant must register individually with NASA.
  • Projects must be submitted through NASA's platform.
  • Two Ottawa projects will advance to NASA's Global Judging process.
Register with NASA Explore NASA Challenges Find or Create a Team
Ottawa · Local competition

Ottawa Space Hardware Challenge

Space Rover Origami

This is a separate, locally organized challenge, not part of NASA's official competition or Global Judging process.

Build a compact rover with deployable solar panels that can leave its lander and expand its solar collection area.

Chassis, sensors, motors, Arduino hardware, and building materials are provided.

  • Onsite participation required.
  • No NASA registration required.
  • No NASA project submission required.
  • Hardware rooms: NI 6010 and 6011.
  • Local judging: Sunday, November 15 at 6:00 PM.
Full Hardware Challenge Details
NASA participants only

NASA Registration & Submission

This section applies only to official NASA Space Apps Challenge participants.

Step 1 — Register with NASA

  1. Visit NASA Space Apps 2026.
  2. Create an account or sign in.
  3. Register for the 2026 event.
  4. Select Ottawa, Canada as your local event.
  5. Form or join a team of up to six participants.

Each participant must register individually.

Registration closes November 15. Participants should register before hacking begins Saturday.

Registering for Space Apps Ottawa through Eventbrite does not replace NASA registration.

Step 2 — Build Your Project

Select an official NASA challenge and develop your solution.

Prepare a clear project description, supporting materials, demonstrations where relevant, and references for datasets, code, and resources used.

Projects do not need to be fully completed to be submitted.

Step 3 — Submit Your Project

Deadline: Sunday, November 15, 11:59 PM EST

  1. Sign in to NASA's platform.
  2. Open your team's page.
  3. Select the Project tab.
  4. Complete the project submission requirements.
  5. Submit before the deadline.

Submissions open Saturday, November 14 at 9:00 AM EST.

Start your submission early to avoid last-minute issues.

Important NASA Rules

  • Maximum six registered participants per team.
  • Projects must address an official NASA challenge.
  • Cite datasets, code, resources, and third-party materials.
  • Follow NASA's open-source and intellectual property requirements.
  • Participants under 18 require guardian registration and supervision according to NASA's rules.
Official NASA Rules

What Happens After Submission?

Ottawa's local judges review eligible NASA projects.

Two Ottawa projects will be selected to advance to NASA's Global Judging process.

NASA's published timeline:

  • December 2026: Global Nominees and Finalists announced.
  • January 2027: Global Winners announced.

Watch your registered email and NASA's official website for announcements.

Links

Resources & Support

Ottawa Participant Guide — English Guide du participant — Français NASA Global Challenges NASA Team Formation Guide NASA Participant FAQs

For assistance, speak with an organizer onsite or use the participant communication instructions supplied privately after registration.

Venue Acknowledgment

With thanks to Carleton University's Technology Innovation Management (TIM) Program and Sprott School of Business for hosting Space Apps Ottawa 2026.

Learn About Carleton TIM