SpaceDex
Collect and develop geotagged information about local ties to space and aviation to incorporate within geo-based games/web applications/tools. Many apps and programs exist that allow users to input information about a location that corresponds to the real world. Public information and historical space events could be added to the location within the program. While exploring a new region, users can learning new facts about how the community played a role in new scientific discoveries or innovations in aviation or spaceflight.
Many of us are interested and passionate about significant space and aviation events that took place in mankind history, but admit it, the traditional way of learning about them – either from encyclopedia or visiting museums – is indeed very boring.
What if there is a mobile phone app for you to learn about these space and aviation events in a new way – without having to read books and visiting museums anymore – but learn about them while you are playing a geo-tagging game like SpaceDex.
How does it work?
The app basically allows the users to unlock a series of linked space events (for example, the Space Race during the Cold War) which took place in several geographical locations, by physically being at those locations. Given with an interactive world map, users will be getting hints on the nearest location that has been geo-tagged with historical or significant space events.
By solving the hints one-by-one and successfully travel to locations with the correct GPS coordinates, users will be able to unlock items in their inventory – the Space Dex – and at the same time learn more about the geo-tagged space events.
At the profile page, the current gameplay progress of various “chapters” of events will be displayed. Users can pause and resume their adventure anytime they want.
One important feature of the app is the crowdsourcing feature. People will not want to just stick with the historical events forever – the latest scientific discoveries and milestones are even much cooler. If the users discover any new space events, discoveries or milestones that are valid (to be verified), they can geo-tag that particular event to contribute to the database.
It is an undeniable fact that people from certain countries – especially developing countries – will have difficulties in enjoying the app because there is simply no significant space event that took place in their country. With the virtual mode feature, users can virtually play the games by traversing the map with the search bar that appears in the virtual mode.
An additional feature of SpaceDex is the Leaderboard feature, which serves as a social motivation for users to get involved. By exploring existing geo-tagged events or contributing new geo-tagged events, points will be rewarded to users. It is possible to award the leader on the global Leaderboard with amazing prizes e.g. a sponsored trip to NASA.
Possible Future Developments:
The current prototype is far from perfect. Here are some possible developments that could be implemented in the near future:
- Expanding the pre-defined database of geo-tagged space events.
- Integrating the app with existing social media platform to optimize the crowdsourcing feature.
- Expand the geo-tagged database type to other domains in science and technology, for example particle physics, astronomy, and biotechnology.
NASA Centers and Facilities (includes links to visitor centers): http://www.nasa.gov/about/sites/index.html
NASA History: http://history.nasa.gov/ and http://www.nasa.gov/topics/history/index.html
