The STAR.VISION 2026 AI4SDGs Space AI Solution Competition has officially launched, bringing together space agencies and international partners to develop artificial intelligence solutions using satellite data to address sustainable development challenges.
The competition was launched during the 2026 International Astronautical Congress (IAC2026) in Antalya, Türkiye, where STAR.VISION also signed competition partnership agreements with the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB), the Kenya Space Agency (KSA), the Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA), and Oman Lens LLC.
The Opportunity
The AI4SDGs Space AI Solution Competition is open to students and researchers worldwide who are currently affiliated with a university or research institution.
Who can participate?
- Open worldwide to students and researchers
- Teams of 2–5 members
- One team per participant
- One competition track per team
- No age or academic-rank restrictions
Competition Focus Areas
Participants can develop satellite AI solutions across three tracks:
- Sustainable Cities: Use multispectral satellite imagery to extract building footprints and support settlement assessment and urban planning.
- Climate Resilience: Use multispectral imagery to map water bodies and support flood monitoring and disaster response.
- Sustainable Agriculture: Use hyperspectral imagery to monitor crop areas and assess crop health for agricultural monitoring and resource management.
The tracks align with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
Rewards and Recognition
Participants and winning teams will have access to:
- Satellite imagery credits
- Rocket launch viewing opportunities
- Global and regional awards
- Summer camp and training opportunities
Competition Timeline
- 6 October 2026: Competition launch
- 23 October 2026: Registration and first-round submission deadline
- 9 November–18 December 2026: Second round
- 16 January–14 February 2027: Final round
- 15 March 2027: Winners announced
How To Apply
Interested applicants can apply through this link.
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