Crowdsourcing is becoming an increasingly important tool for innovation at NASA. It allows NASA to tap into new communities and individuals to generate ideas. Examples of successful crowdsourcing programs include Disk Detective, where over 28,000 volunteers helped analyze telescope data and were credited as co-authors on research papers, and the International Space Apps Challenge, a hackathon where thousands of apps have been developed using NASA data. Crowdsourcing challenges like the Space Poop Challenge generate novel solutions to technical problems from experts in non-space fields. NASA also uses citizen forums to gauge public views on initiatives to inform their work.

1. CROWDSOURCING AS A TOOL FOR INNOVATION
AT NASA
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Dr. Amy Kaminski
Crowdsourcing Week Summit
June 15, 2017

2. Traditional
innovation at
NASA
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• NASA civil servant workforce
• Long history of teaming with
external partners to develop
space projects
– Academic community
– Aerospace industry
– International space agencies

3. Innovation
is evolving
• NASA workforce and traditional
partners continue to play key
roles
• Circle of innovators is expanding
– New commercial participants
– Tapping new communities and
individual members of the public
through crowdsourcing

4. Why the move
toward
crowdsourcing?
• Good ideas can come from
anywhere
• Big data to analyze and apply
• Ubiquitous IT
• U.S.Government support for
open innovation
• Individual champions
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5. Laying the
foundations for
crowdsourcing
• Policies
• Programs and people
– Centennial Challenges
– CoECI/NASATournament Lab
– International SpaceAppsChallenge
– Citizen science community of
practice
• Public connections
– NASA Solve

6. Matching methods
to needs
METHOD GOALS PROJECT EXAMPLE(S)
Crowdsourcing of
scientific research (citizen
science)
Data collection GLOBE/GLOBE Observer; JunoCam;Target Asteroids;
Aurorasaurus
Data analysis Stardust@Home; Disk Detective; Planet Four; Planet Hunters
Challenge/prize
competition
Hackathon
Data application development International Space Apps Challenge; Datanauts
Software/algorithm
development
International Space Station Food IntakeTracker; Asteroid Data
Hunter; Lunar Mapping and Modeling Portal; Planetary Data
Systems Cassini Rings
Hardware prototype development Centennial Challenges; International Space Apps Challenge
Concept/idea for research/technology
advancement
Bioinspired Advanced Exercise Concepts; Mars Space Pioneering:
Achieving Earth Independence; Space Poop Challenge
Engineering/Research Design Measurement of Kevlar Strain; Non-invasive Measurement of
Intracranial Pressure; and Mars Balance Mass Challenge
Citizen input/deliberation Public assessment of NASA
policy/program choices
Asteroid Initiative Citizen Forums

7. Extending Research
Capabilities:
Disk Detective
• WISE telescope data analysis
• 28,000+ volunteers with no
professional training; depth of
knowledge replaced by volume
of participation
• Speeds completion of research –
2.5 million images reviewed since
2014
• “Super users” become part of
research team – named on
published papers
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Finding planetary systems
with help from 28,000 new
colleagues.

8. Enhancing the Value
of Space Data:
International Space
Apps Challenge
• Thousands of apps developed
using NASA/satellite data during
annual worldwide hackathon
• Highlights importance of teams
with disparate expertises
(technical or otherwise)
• Partnerships to build businesses
and commercial applications

9. Generating Ideas for
Technical Solutions:
Space Poop Challenge
2nd PlaceWinner
Team SPUDS
(Physician/Engineer/Dentist -
USA)
Innovative airflow & solid waste
valve designs.
1st PlaceWinner
Dr.Thatcher Cardon (USAF
Flight Surgeon - USA)
Innovative concepts based
on current laparoscopic
surgical techniques.
Included prototypes of
multiple design concepts w/
detailed demos.
3rd PlaceWinner
Hugo Shelley
(Product Designer - UK)
Innovative concept for
compact wipe packaging
& fit securing techniques.
• Collect and route human waste
away from the body while
wearing a spacesuit in
microgravity for up to six days
• $30,000 prize purse
• 20,000 contestants around
world, 5000 ideas submitted
• 3 winners – inspired by
expertises in non-space fields
(medicine, textiles, etc.)

10. Gauging Public
Views:
Asteroid Initiative
Citizen Forums
• Citizens sharing their values
and preferences about asteroid
hazard detection, mitigation,
and exploration
• Informed feedback for NASA
• Participant enjoyment and
satisfaction empowerment for
contribution

11. Questions?