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.