Rocket fuel for
developers.
Sri Lanka's 24-hour space hackathon in Colombo. Organized by SEDS Sri Lanka && SEDS SLIIT.
COUNTDOWN TO LAUNCH
January 15, 2027 • 18:00 SLST (Colombo, Sri Lanka / UTC+5:30)
Registration Open
Team Formation
Hackathon Liftoff
WHAT IS APOGEE
Not a lecture. Not a career fair. A 24-hour space hackathon in Colombo.
Apogee is 24 hours. One weekend in Colombo. Teams of Sri Lankan students building real space-tech projects: satellites, flight software, rover control systems, orbital mechanics tools, whatever you ship.
It starts with a full week of pre-hackathon preparation, technical workshops, and mentor check-ins leading directly into several intense hardware and software challenges.
No fluff talks. No "networking sessions." You show up, you build, you demo. Organized by SEDS Sri Lanka & SEDS SLIIT.
Why Apogee
Built by students, for students across Sri Lanka. No corporate fluff.
Built by students, for students
Not a corporate promo wearing a NASA logo.
Real mentors
Working engineers and satellite researchers, not recruiters.
Real prizes
Rs. 500,000+ total prize pool in cash and cloud credits.
First of its kind
The only independent student space hackathon in Sri Lanka.
Tracks
5 core challenge areas. Hardware prototypes, software systems, or deep research models.
Propulsion
Design something that gets mass from A to B in space, efficiently.
Mission Software
Build reliable flight software, ground station control, or live satellite telemetry dashboards.
Satellite Systems
Create small-satellite payloads, communications arrays, or constellation controllers.
Space Biology
Life support systems, automated bio-payload experiments, or radiation-shielding analysis.
Open Orbit
Have a wild space idea that doesn't fit the classic tracks? If it flies, orbits, or analyzes the cosmos, bring it.
TIMELINE
24 hours. Orbital gravity assists & planet slingshot checkpoints.
Doors Open & Registration
Team formation, badge collection, networking, and pre-event dinner.
Opening Ceremony & Briefing
Official challenge reveal, mentor introduction, and hackathon kickoff.
Midpoint Check-in
Technical review with space-tech mentors, project health check, and lunch.
Code Freeze & Submissions
Repositories locked, dev submission portal closes, final pitch prep.
Live Demos & Judging
Teams present live prototypes to the judging panel in 5-minute sprints.
Prize Ceremony & Closing
Rs. 500,000+ awarded, keynotes, closing ceremony, and photo session.
Doors Open & Registration
Opening Ceremony & Briefing
Midpoint Check-in
Code Freeze & Submissions
Live Demos & Judging
Prize Ceremony & Closing
MENTORS
People who actually build this stuff. Working engineers and satellite researchers.
![[Name]](/_next/image?url=%2Fmentors%2Fperson-1.png&w=3840&q=75)
[Name]
Designed CubeSat attitude determination for 40+ micro-satellites.
![[Name]](/_next/image?url=%2Fmentors%2Fperson-2.png&w=3840&q=75)
[Name]
Built autonomous launch telemetry and ground-station software.
![[Name]](/_next/image?url=%2Fmentors%2Fperson-3.png&w=3840&q=75)
[Name]
Engineered high-altitude balloon payload communication systems.
![[Name]](/_next/image?url=%2Fmentors%2Fperson-5.png&w=3840&q=75)
[Name]
Developed mission trajectory simulation engines.
Prizes
Worth showing up for. Rs. 500,000+ total prize pool in cash and cloud credits.
Cash prize + space lab incubator spot
Cash prize + $2,500 cloud credits
Cash prize + hardware kits
Best orbital software tool
FAQ
Short, direct answers to common questions. Answered like a person, not a policy document.
Do I need a team?
No. Solo entries welcome, or form a team at the event.
What if I've never built anything space-related?
Good. That's the point.
Is it free?
Yes. 100% free for all Sri Lankan students. Food and drinks provided.
Who owns what I build?
You do. 100% student owned.
Where is it held?
Colombo, Sri Lanka.
ORGANIZERS
A joint collaboration between SEDS Sri Lanka and SEDS SLIIT.
PARTNERS
Backed by leading research institutes, universities, and industry supporters.
Arthur C. Clarke Institute
Sri Lanka's national space applications & satellite research centre.
SLIIT
Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology campus & research labs.
Industry & Cloud
Providing cloud infrastructure credits, developer tools & prize pool backing.