​Each year the NASA Space Apps Challenge mobilizes 100k+ builders on open planetary and Earth-observation datasets. In October, 200 NYC participants prototyped real services—from satellite-driven alerts to interactive visualizations. This panel brings organizers and practitioners together to unpack what it takes to turn raw space data into reliable, human-scale applications: sourcing and cleaning datasets, picking the right runtimes and storage, designing for users, and measuring what works. You’ll leave with repo starters, instrumentation tips, and a path to ship your own open-data app in January.

​Light refreshments provided by Datadog.

​Doors open at 6pm - Refreshments

​Panel starts at 7pm

​Panelists:

​Micah Acinapura
Software Engineer, OpenSpace – American Museum of Natural History

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Micah Acinapura is a lead developer on OpenSpace, the AMNH’s open-source platform that powers immersive astronomy and Earth visualizations. From bridging multidimensional NASA datasets to co-creating planetarium narratives, Micah blends scientific rigor with playful, real-time exploration tools used in live shows and public exhibits. He sheds light on the creative engineering behind translating cosmic data into human-scale experiences. Expect him to speak to the intersection of large-scale data, real-time rendering, and mission-driven design for public science platforms.

​Nate Cooper
Founder & Managing Partner, SWARM

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Nate helps organizations design smarter workflows and digital systems that align people, process, and technology. At SWARM, he guides teams to integrate AI and automation through user-centered design—so innovation actually improves how teams work together.

​Jaiden Price
Digital Strategy Analyst

​Jaiden partners with Fortune 500 C-Suite at Adobe's Digital Strategy Group to drive personalized, data-driven digital transformation. She co-creates with Adobe's product team to run a beta program for Adobe's most visionary customers and partners. Outside of work, she enjoys public speaking and has spoken at Grace Hopper Conference, Harvard WECode, Columbia University, NYU x NASA Space Apps!

​Alex Burg
Senior Engineer, Bryce Space and Technology

​Alex is a Senior Engineer at Bryce Space and Technology contributing to NASA's human spaceflight exploration architectures and capabilities. Expertise spans start-up ventures, space exploration technologies, systems analysis, and fostering advancements in engineering physics.

​Thanks to our community supporters Datadog & SWARM

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