A Filipino-made integrated public policy information portal measuring the impact of the coronavirus pandemic won at the recently concluded NASA Space Apps COVID-19 Challenge.
Developed by data analysts from Team CirroLytix, G.I.D.E.O.N. (Global Impact Detection from Emitted Light, Onset of COVID-19, and Nitrogen Dioxide) uses news feeds, Google mobility data, and coronavirus cases revealing the multi-dimensional impact of lockdown and other interventions.
G.I.D.E.O.N. won in the best use of data, the solution that best makes space data accessible or leverages it to a unique application. The Filipino team is composed of data analysts Nick Tobia, Helen Mary Barrameda, Kristel Joyce Zapata, Theresa Rosario Tan, and Miguel Oscar Castelo.
Night lights from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) and nitrogen dioxide levels from Sentinel-5P show current impacts and forecast effects of lockdown.
Google’s community mobility reports, global infection data from Johns Hopkins University, and nitrogen dioxide data reveal pollution levels produced by human activity, and monitor which countries keep air quality under control as they bounce back from lockdown.
G.I.D.E.O.N. is one of the six global winners selected by NASA, European Space Agency (ESA), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) of France, and Canadian Space Agency (CSA). It also one of the three teams that will have special access to the Euro Data Cube environment.
In addition to global winner CirroLytix, two Pinoy teams also made it as global finalists at the special edition of NASA’s annual Space Apps Challenge held virtually on May 30-31.
Inspired by social isolation experienced by astronauts in space, Snail Space is an app that provides a “safe space” by providing mental care and comfort during times of social isolation brought by COVID-19 pandemic.
Sentinellium, on the other hand, leverages user data sent through SMS and chat, and space assets like population density, urbanization, and aerosol to provide a more accurate prediction of developing epidemics.
The next annual Space Apps Challenge is scheduled on October 2-4 in a virtual format. Registration opens on August 15, go to https://2020.spaceappschallenge.org/locations/manila.