The FyCUS team from the University of Seville triumphs in the NASA Space Apps Challenge Hackathon

Students from the University of Seville, from the FyCUS team, win the local competition of the NASA Space Apps Challenge global hackathon.

The multidisciplinary FyCUS team from the University of Seville triumphed in Seville, headquarters of the Spanish Space Agency, with an innovative project based on NASA open data.

A team of six brilliant students from the University of Seville, representing the space technologies association FyCUS, has been proclaimed the local winner of the prestigious NASA International Space Apps Challenge, the world's largest STEAM hackathon. The team, comprised of Ángela Cuéllar Jiménez, Marta Pavón Núñez, Rafael Pérez Salvatierra, Jorge Mallado, Miquel Pozo Font, and Francisco José Osuna Ruiz, stood out among numerous participants during the intense competition held in Seville from October 3 to 5.

The event, which celebrated its third edition in the Andalusian capital, took place in a highly symbolic location: the headquarters of the Spanish Space Agency (AEE). For 48 uninterrupted hours, teams from across the region faced real-life challenges posed by NASA scientists and engineers, with the goal of developing innovative solutions using the vast open data repositories of the US space agency and its international partners.

The winning team is a clear example of the collaboration and academic excellence fostered at the University of Seville, comprised of four students from the Higher Technical School of Engineering (ETSi) and two from the Higher Polytechnic School (EPS). This synergy of knowledge and skills was key to developing a project that impressed the jury of experts with its creativity, technical validity, and potential impact.

The project, titled FENyX, addresses NASA's challenge of designing recycling systems for missions to Mars. The proposed solution consists of an additive biomanufacturing process to produce heat-resistant insulating materials using renewable resources. in situ (ISRU): polymeric waste from the mission, Martian regolith, and specialized microorganisms. Using a biotechnology approach, the team developed a system that transforms the waste into essential building materials for future Martian habitats.

This triumph is not an isolated event, but rather the result of the students' talent and the strong support ecosystem that surrounds them. The team participated on behalf of FyCUS, a space technology laboratory formed by students from the University of Seville. The FyCUS association operates under the auspices and protection of the Higher Technical School of Engineering (ETSi), whose support has been fundamental and indispensable to its consolidation and success.

"It's been an incredibly intense and rewarding experience. Having the opportunity to work with real NASA data to solve a global problem is a dream for any engineering student. This award is the result of teamwork, a passion for space, and long nights of programming. We're very proud of what we've achieved together," said the team spokesperson.

For his part, Sergio Esteban, Deputy Director of Innovation at ETSi, highlights the “immense pride that the institution feels for The achievement of Ángela, Marta, Rafael, Jorge, Miquel, and Francisco José. Their victory in a competitive arena like the NASA Space Apps Challenge is a testament to their talent, dedication, and the excellent training we provide. This success would not be possible without the support structure and innovative environment that ETSi provides. FyCUS is a shining example of what our students can achieve, and we are deeply grateful to them for representing the University of Seville with such distinction. This achievement reaffirms our commitment to continue promoting initiatives that prepare the engineers of the future."

As local winners, the FyCUS team advances to the next phase of the competition, where their project will be evaluated by a global NASA jury alongside winners from hundreds of events around the world, with the possibility of winning one of ten prestigious global prizes.

About FyCUS:

FyCUS (Fulfill Your Cosmos US) is a student association of the University of Seville dedicated to the design, construction, and operation of satellites and other space technologies. Its mission is to provide students with practical and multidisciplinary experience, fostering innovation and contributing to space research. The association operates thanks to the fundamental support of the School of Engineering (ETSi) of the University of Seville.

Web: https://fycus.space | https://etsi.us.es

About the NASA International Space Apps Challenge:

The NASA International Space Apps Challenge is a global hackathon held over 48 hours in cities around the world. It is a NASA initiative that brings together programmers, scientists, designers, storytellers, creators, and technologists to use open data from NASA and its 14 partner space agencies to solve challenges facing humanity on Earth and in space.