University of Otago and Methane Mavericks Win Grand Prizes at Space for Planet Earth Challenge
Auckland, New Zealand — 16 March 2024
The team “Methane Mavericks” from Newham, Australia, and the University of Otago team from Dunedin, New Zealand, have been awarded the Grand Prizes in the Space for Planet Earth Challenge, an innovative competition focused on leveraging space technologies to address environmental issues.
Cristhian Delgado Fajardo and his team from the University of Otago clinched the top prize at the University level for their project “Satellite-based AI Emulators for Efficient Monitoring of Agricultural Methane Emissions in New Zealand.” Their ground-breaking work aims to enhance the monitoring and management of methane emissions from agricultural activities in New Zealand using satellite data and artificial intelligence.
In the high school category, Olivia Hedge and Khoa Anh Do of Methane Mavericks from Newham, Australia, won the Grand Prize for their project “Using Sentinel Data to Identify and Prioritize Small-scale Emissions for MethaneSat.” Their innovative approach utilizes satellite data to detect and prioritize small-scale methane emissions, contributing to the development of more effective mitigation strategies.
Six teams from New Zealand, Australia, and the Philippines competed in the Challenge finals, presenting their projects to a panel of esteemed judges from various space agencies, research institutions, and organizations. The winners were awarded cash prizes of $25,000 NZD and $8,000 NZD for the University and high school categories, respectively, along with valuable mentorship opportunities from SpaceBase.
“We are truly impressed by the calibre of work presented by these young innovators,” said Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom, CEO of SpaceBase. “Their projects demonstrate the immense potential of space technologies in addressing pressing environmental challenges, and we are confident that their research will create a lasting impact in the region.”
The Space for Planet Earth Challenge was organized by SpaceBase, a forward-thinking organization that leverages incentive prizes and space technologies to catalyse innovation and solve complex problems. The Challenge was made possible through the support of various sponsors and partners, including the Pacific Fund, K1W1, Orbica, AWS, US Embassy in New Zealand, Biome Trust, Rich Bodo through the Gift Trust, Australian Space Agency, New Zealand Space Agency, Auckland Space Institute, Callaghan Innovation, Outset Ventures, Auckland Unlimited, and Auckland Aerospace.
For more information about the Challenge and the winning projects, please visit spacebase.co/challenges.
About SpaceBase Limited:
SpaceBase Limited is a New Zealand-based space education and consulting social enterprise with a mission to democratise access to space for everyone. SpaceBase is creating equal opportunities to leverage space technologies to solve problems on Earth by catalysing space ecosystems in developing and emerging countries, starting in New Zealand. Since its incorporation in 2017, the organization has collaborated with economic development agencies, local and national governments, and advocacy groups to deliver over 150 educational presentations and workshops, three Pacific and nationwide space and aerospace competitions, and has helped birth space communities and organizations locally and globally.
Six Teams from New Zealand, Australia, and the Philippines Advance to Finals of Space for Planet Earth Challenge
Auckland, New Zealand – 6 March 2024 – Teams from New Zealand, Australia, and the Philippines have secured their spots in the finals of the prestigious Space for Planet Earth Challenge. These finalists from both the University/Startup and High School categories will compete in an online pitch competition on March 15th, presenting their innovative solutions that leverage space data to address the critical issue of methane emissions and climate change.
The grand prize winners from each category will receive substantial cash prizes of up to $25,000 NZD and mentorship opportunities from SpaceBase Limited.
The Challenge finalists include:
High School Level
- Methane Mavericks – Kyneton High School & Maryborough Education Centre, Newham, Australia
- Cashmere Space Club – Cashmere High School, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Usbong Me – University of the Philippines High School, Iloilo, Philippines
University/Startup Level
- University of Otago – Dunedin, New Zealand
- Project AIM: Rizal Technological, Caraga State, and Adamson Universities – Metro Manila and Butuan Cities, Philippines
- Interstellar Exploration Institute and Macquarie University – Sydney, Australia
The finalists participated in a three-month online research incubator organized by SpaceBase, where they received comprehensive training on the problem areas, relevant technologies, and the innovation process. After completing the rigorous incubator program on 25 February, the teams submitted their final challenge applications, which were evaluated by a panel of industry and academic experts from the United States, Australia, the Philippines, New Caledonia, and New Zealand.
“I am very impressed with the calibre this year. Every team has been impressive in one way or another,” said Nicholas Metherall, Challenge judge and Space Challenge Grand Prize Winner 2021-22.
“The Challenge showcases the remarkable talent and dedication of young minds in tackling Earth’s climate challenges. Their innovative solutions and enthusiasm are vital for a sustainable future, highlighting youth’s crucial role in addressing global environmental issue,” said Prof. Rafael Kargren upon judging the challenge.
The Challenge Final Pitch and Awards Ceremony will be held online on 15 March from 5:30-7:30 pm NZT. The event will feature welcome addresses from distinguished guests, including the Hon. Judith Collins, New Zealand Minister of Space; Peter Vedder, Senior Director at MethaneSat; Anne Rouault, Science Attaché at the French Embassy in New Zealand; and Host Amy Armstrong from the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and Edmund Hillary Fellow. Representatives from the Australian and New Zealand Space Agencies will present the coveted prizes.
For more information about the Challenge and the Finalists, please visit spacebase.co/challenges. RSVP for the event at spacebase.co/events.
The Space for Planet Earth Challenge is made possible through partnerships and sponsorships facilitated by SpaceBase Limited. Sponsors include the Pacific Fund, K1W1, Orbica, AWS, U.S. Embassy in New Zealand, Biome Trust, Rich Bodo through the Gift Trust, Australian Space Agency, New Zealand Space Agency, Auckland Space Institute, Callaghan Innovation, Outset Ventures, Auckland Unlimited, and Auckland Aerospace.
About SpaceBase Limited:
SpaceBase Limited is a New Zealand-based space education and consulting social enterprise with a mission to democratize access to space for everyone. SpaceBase is creating equal opportunities to leverage space technologies to solve problems on Earth by catalysing space ecosystems in developing and emerging countries, starting in New Zealand. Since its incorporation in 2017, the organization has collaborated with economic development agencies, local and national governments, and advocacy groups to deliver over 150 educational presentations and workshops, three Pacific and nationwide space and aerospace competitions, and has helped birth space communities and organizations locally and globally.
SpaceBase “Space for Planet Earth Challenge 2023” seeks applicants from the Pacific region leveraging space technologies to address climate change.
Auckland, NEW ZEALAND, [18 May 2023]
The “Space for Planet Earth Challenge” officially kicks off today and invites students and innovators from New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, and the Pacific Islands to participate. The Challenge seeks innovative ideas to combat climate change in the region.
Auckland based organiser SpaceBase is calling applicants to specifically use satellite data, in combination with other data sources, to help develop scientific methods to identify target areas of methane emissions around the world.
“SpaceBase leverages incentive prizes and space-based technologies to solve grand challenges on Earth”, said CEO and Co-founder Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom. “We hope the solutions created will further R&D as well as spark products and services in the realm of methane identification and monitoring in the region.” Methane contributes about a third of global warming worldwide and traps heat 25 times more than CO2.
The competition is open to two categories: high school level and university/start-up level. Qualified teams will be invited to participate in a three month incubator programme that will include learning about remote sensing and data analysis, as well as design thinking and prototyping. Shortlisted teams after the incubator will be invited to pitch their ideas during the final event hosted in Auckland in March 2024.
The grand prize winners and finalists will win cash prizes up to $25,000 NZD, mentorships, and more. Proposals to participate in the incubator programme can be submitted online between 18 May and 31 August. Full Challenge applications are due 25 February 2024.
The Challenge is sponsored through organizations like K1W1 Ventures, Callaghan Innovations, and the Auckland Space Institute. Our partners include the Government of New Caledonia, and the Australian and Philippine Space Agencies. See full list of sponsors and partners on the SpaceBase website.
For more information on submitting a proposal and other details, go to: https://spacebase.co/challenges/space-challenge-2023 or contact info@spacebase.co
Teams “Yadrava na Vanua” from Fiji and “Not Basic” from New Zealand win the Grand Prizes for Space Challenge
Christchurch—18 February 2022.
Yadrava na Vanua (Environment Watch) from Suva, Fiji won the Grand Prize today for the Space for Planet Earth Challenge.
Their project focused on integrating satellite data on land cover types across Fiji with ground truth measurements, and refining the carbon sequestration data with machine learning analysis of high resolution satellite images from Planet to generate international standard levels of measurements, reporting, and verification of carbon stocks.
Separately, “Not Basic” from Newlands College, Wellington, New Zealand, won the Grand Prize at the High School level. Their work featured using machine learning analysis of satellite data to predict the conditions leading to coral bleaching as detected within the Allen Coral Atlas with Planet satellite data.
Six teams from New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji competed in demo sessions with a panel of judges, then a Pitch presentation to a live online audience. The winners are awarded cash prizes of $30,000 and $10,000 each, satellite data from company Planet, and mentorship from SpaceBase. Additionally the High School team will receive scholarships from the US Based MMAARS Academy to attend their Level 1 Virtual Mars Programme.
“The presentations that I’ve seen were so amazing…and I was blown away by the ideas and the ability that they’ve shown…Planet is so proud to be part of this competition,” Dr. Tanya Harrison, Director of Strategic Innovation for Planet and a Finals Judge for the competition, said at the event.
The winners were selected by judges from Planet, the U.S. Embassy to New Zealand, Pacific GIS and Remote Sensing Council, Rocket Lab, Callaghan Innovation, ChristchurchNZ, Callaghan Innovation, and Consegna.cloud.
The awards were presented by the NZ Space Agency and the U.S. Embassy.
“I’ve been extremely impressed with the sophistication of the solutions that have been developed, by the approach of looking for different data sources to incorporate into those solutions, to reaching out to other organisations, establishing partnerships to make this more effective, and the quality of the presentations,” said Dimitri Geidelberg, Principal Advisor to the Agency.
The Challenge was the brainchild of SpaceBase founders who leverage incentive prizes and space technologies to catalyse innovation while solving tough problems in the region. “Already, we see the Challenge as pushing the teams to accelerate their research and create opportunities they may not otherwise have been able to realise.” said Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom, CEO of SpaceBase. “We think this is only the beginning for these climate change focused innovations, and we hope to continue to support these teams in their progress over the coming months and years.”
For more information about the Challenge and the Winners, go to spaceforearth.org
The Challenge is made possible by a partnership between SpaceBase Limited and Planet. Sponsors include the U.S. Embassy in New Zealand, K1W1, NZ Space Agency, ChristchurchNZ, Consegna.cloud, Clare Foundation, Greenlight Ventures, Namaste Foundation, Engineering Dreams, MMAARS Academy, and Christchurch City Council.
SpaceBase Limited is a New Zealand based education and consulting social enterprise, whose mission is to democratise access to space for everyone. SpaceBase is creating equal opportunity to leverage space technologies to solve problems on Earth, by catalysing space ecosystems in developing and emerging countries, starting in New Zealand. Since its incorporation in 2017, it has collaborated with economic development agencies, local governments, and advocacy groups to deliver over 100 educational presentations and workshops; two national space and aerospace competitions, as well as helping birth space communities and organisations locally and globally. SpaceBase created a platform for the NZ Aerospace Directory and a free course, Catalysing a Space Industry in Your Region, for anyone interested in creating a local space industry. SpaceBase is also the NZ Ambassador for the International Space University.