What is SpaceHack?

An innovation competition that brings together teams of ideators and innovators to solve problems facings our galaxy.

Who is it for?

Are you excited by space, space technologies, innovation and entrepreneurship?

We're looking for Researchers, University Students, Professionals, Entreprenuers, Enthusiasts and anyone else with an interest in space!

Why participate?

For the exceptional collaborative atmosphere, the access to industry leading mentors and connections, industry experts, lean innovation workshops and the chance to win!

Interested? Sign Up!

Step 1:

Register your team

(teams can be up to 5 people)

1. TEAM REGISTRATION

Step 2:

Register yourself

(select your team from the dropdown, if you don't have a team choose: 'NO TEAM YET')

2. INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION

SpaceHack 2023 Recap

Theme: Cybersecurity

Challenge Statement:

How might we contribute to the safety and success of current and future space endeavours? What novel solutions on the interface of space-tech and cybersecurity can you propose with the potential to be turned into a viable high growth business with global (intergalactic) potential?

Focus Areas:

Teams were then provided with six focus areas for guidance, five of which addressed a unique aspect of space cybersecurity and the sixth was a wildcard open challenge. Competitors could choose to address any one of these areas or a combination of them.

Secure Satellite Communication

As more and more satellites are launched into orbit, the need for secure satellite communication becomes increasingly important. This is because satellites are vulnerable to a variety of cyberattacks, such as hacking, spoofing, and jamming. Teams could develop new methods to secure satellite communication, such as using quantum cryptography or developing new encryption algorithms.

Cybersecurity for Autonomous Spacecraft

Autonomous spacecrafts are becoming increasingly common, as they are able to perform tasks without human intervention. However, autonomous spacecraft are also vulnerable to cyberattacks, as they rely on computers and networks to operate. Teams could develop new methods to secure autonomous spacecraft, such as using artificial intelligence to detect and prevent cyberattacks.

Space Situational Awareness

Space situational awareness is the ability to track and identify objects in space. This is important for preventing collisions between spacecraft and for detecting and responding to cyberattacks. Teams could develop new methods to improve space situational awareness, such as using new sensors or developing new algorithms for tracking objects in space.

Cyber-Defence for Space

Cyberwarfare is the use of cyberattacks to achieve military objectives. As space becomes increasingly important for military operations, the risk of cyberwarfare in space also increases. Teams could develop new methods to defend against cyberwarfare in space, such as developing new ways to detect and respond to cyberattacks or developing new ways to secure space assets.

Cybersecurity for Space Exploration

As we venture further into space, the need for cybersecurity becomes more important. This is because space exploration missions are increasingly reliant on computers and networks. Develop new methods to secure space exploration missions, such as developing new ways to protect astronauts from cyberattacks or developing new ways to secure data collected during space exploration missions.

Wildcard: Groundbreaking Solutions on the Interface of Space-Tech and Cybersecurity

Whether it's securing data centres on space stations, protecting telemetry during rocket launches, building cybersecurity in space artificial intelligence engines, or ensuring the integrity of scientific research in space, this challenge is about creating a novel, robust cybersecurity approaches that can be used in a wide range of thinkable scenarios and applications.

2023 SpaceHack Judges

Dr. Christopher Capon

CEO, Nominal Systems

Prof. Anna Moore

Director, ANU Institute for Space

Prof. Ed Kruzins

Acting Director, UNSW Canberra Space

2023 SpaceHack Mentors

The Mentors came from different fields within the space industry, venture capital, research and governance and they offer a unique mix or expecriences, expertise and connections that they make generously available to the participant teams.

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A MENTOR FOR 2024

Dr. Daisy Hu

Business Development Manager, CSIRO

Chris Jenkins

Research Analyst, Twynam Funds Management

Dr. Doris Grosse

Research Fellow, ANU

Dr. Craig Benson

Chief Innovation Officer, Skycraft

Dr. Andrew Sutton

Engineer, Lyte AI

Dr. Lily Qiao

Lecturer in Space Systems Engineering, UNSW Canberra

Rabbia Saleem

Research Associate, UNSW Canberra

Dr. Janith Weerasinghe

Postdoctoral Fellow, ANU

Cam Ritchie

Innovation Partner, Design + Industry

Dr. Hamed Aboutorab

Postdoctral Research Fellow in Cybersecurity, CSU

Davina Mansfield

Chief Operating Officer, Viden

Timothy Lynar

Senior Lecturer, UNSW Canberra

Sayed Amir Hoseini

Postdoc, UNSW

Rosanne Brand

Partner, PWC

Ben Richardson

CEO/CTO, Founder, Aerospace Engineer, Equinox Ventures

2023 Sponsor

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A 2025 SPONSOR OR SUPPORTER

Previous Supporters

Download SpaceHack Reports

2021

2022

2023

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is behind SpaceHack?

SpaceHack 2023 is an initiative by the Canberra Innovation Network

Do I have to register as a team?

Yes, you apply to register as a team. To participate in SpaceHack you must be in a registered team of between 3 and 5 people. We will allow a five person team as an absolute maximum.

How much time do I have to commit?

SpaceHack will run over two-days with mandatory sessions throughout Tuesday 17 Ocober and Wednesday 18 October 2023. The times will be between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm.

I am already working on a an idea. May I use that?

Teams are more than welcome to compete in the hackathon with an existing idea that they are already working on, but will need to be willing to learn and grow their proposed solution.
The workshops and mentor sessions are designed to push teams to test and refine their solution to develop a compelling final pitch for the judges. During a hackathon, ideas may pivot or shift based on customer and mentor feedback which is all a part of the process!

Who owns the ideas?

All submissions to the hackathon remain the intellectual property of the individuals or organisations who developed them. The organisers claim no ownership of nor repsonsibility for the IP generated during the hackathons. It is up to the teams to deal with IP issues.

Is this an in person event?

Yes. All of the sessions will be run in-person at the Canberra Innovation Network, Level 5, 1 Moore Street, Canberra, ACT.

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the ACT, the Ngunnawal people. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.

Location

Level 5, 1 Moore St
Canberra, 2601, ACT
Australia

Open from 9:00 AM TO 5:00 PM
on WORKING DAYS

enquiries@cbrin.com.au

Phone

+61-2-6162-1149

Web

SPACEHACK 2025