“Galactic Problem Solver”— NASA’s Recognition for Aryyama Kumar Jana’s Solar Irradiance Tracking

As the 2023 season of NASA’s Space Apps Challenge is set to be held on 7-8 October 2023, we recall one of the most successful and innovative talents that surfaced in its 10-year milestone season two years ago.

In a remarkable triumph of innovation and problem-solving, the 'App Ninjas' team from Arizona claimed the prestigious title of Local People's Choice Winner at the 2021 NASA Space Apps Challenge, the world's largest annual global hackathon. Under the exceptional leadership of Aryyama Kumar Jana, this achievement underscored their outstanding dedication to addressing pressing global issues through technology.

Aryyama Kumar Jana is now a Software Development Engineer at Amazon. As a member of the Device Economics team at Amazon, he works on optimizing and automating decisions in the Devices business using science and technology, including machine learning.

The 2021 NASA Space Apps Challenge marked a significant milestone as it celebrated its 10th year. The event, known as one of the most prestigious hackathons worldwide, attracted brilliant minds from around the globe. Recently, the event gained added significance through partnerships with nine renowned space agencies, expanding its reach and impact.

Aryyama’s exemplary leadership and technical prowess distinguished him in a formidable field of participants. Their mission was to create a mobile application that could demystify NASA's extensive solar and meteorological data parameters, making them accessible to the general public. During Aryyama’s time at ASU, his startup idea was selected by ASU Venture Devils, the startup incubator for ASU.

The 'App Ninjas' team excelled in this mission. Their mobile application is a masterpiece of user-centric design, offering easily understandable graphical representations of weekly average "available sunshine" or solar irradiance for the past year, tailored precisely to the user's location. This invaluable tool empowers homeowners to make informed decisions about solar panel purchases and simplifies the monitoring of existing systems.

What set Aryyama and the 'App Ninjas' apart is their forward-thinking approach. The application's adaptability allowed users to customize parameters, including the ability to adjust temporal resolutions and time periods, providing highly specialized results. This innovation promises to revolutionize the way individuals engage with solar energy data.

But the innovation doesn't stop there. Aryyama and the visionary 'App Ninjas' team have ambitious plans for the app's future. They envision adding user-defined buttons to display additional POWER parameters such as temperature, humidity, and wind, enhancing its versatility and value for renewable energy enthusiasts and sustainability advocates.

In a groundbreaking move, the 'App Ninjas' has introduced the concept of integrating users' measurements, enabling comparisons and supplementations with NASA parameters. This transformative feature could democratize access to solar energy data and further advance global sustainability efforts.

Aryyama’s recognition as a 'Galactic Problem Solver' underscored his exceptional contributions to the team's success. This prestigious award signifies his outstanding problem-solving abilities and visionary leadership, making him a true standout in the world of innovation.

The 2021 NASA Space Apps Challenge in Arizona was an exhilarating journey where Aryyama and the 'App Ninjas' showcased their creativity and problem-solving skills. Winning the Local People's Choice award in such a competitive environment underscores their ingenuity and commitment to making a positive impact on the world.

This victory cemented Aryyama’s and the 'App Ninjas' place as trailblazers in innovation, not only in Arizona but on a global stage. Their mobile application signifies a meaningful step towards a sustainable future, leaving an imprint of excellence in the renewable energy technology landscape.