NDU's NASA Space App, the Successor to the Lebanese Rocket Society

The NASA International Space Apps Challenge Beirut edition is a vibrant, grassroots community-driven event that revives and extends the spirit of Lebanon’s pioneering 1960s space ambitions — like the Lebanese Rocket Society’s Cedar rockets — through education, innovation, and collaboration rather than government-led rocketry.

Theme: Learn, Launch, Lead
Host: Primarily hosted by the American University of Science & Technology (AUST), with strong collaboration from institutions like Lebanese American University (LAU) in Byblos, Notre Dame University (NDU), Haigazian University, and over 16 academic, private, and nonprofit partners.

It is part of the world’s largest annual global hackathon, partnering with NASA and 14 international space agencies. Participants use real NASA and global space agency open data to solve challenges related to Earth, space exploration, climate, technology, and more.
Scale and Impact in Lebanon:
Over 300+ high school and university students from across Lebanon participated.
Thousands of applicants competed for limited spots.
Teams developed 20+ open-source projects.
A record 5 Lebanese teams were nominated for Global Judging — the highest number ever for the Beirut edition.

The event welcomes coders, artists, storytellers, scientists, engineers, designers, and enthusiasts of all backgrounds. It emphasizes skill-building, teamwork, and applying space data to real-world problems.As a Community Successor to the 1960s Space Industry DreamWhile the 1960s Lebanese Rocket Society was a small academic-military effort that briefly put Lebanon on the space map before geopolitical and internal challenges ended it, the NASA Space Apps Beirut represents a sustainable, inclusive, and modern evolution:Decentralized & Community-Led: Driven by universities, students, and volunteers instead of top-down state programs.
Focus on Talent & Innovation: Builds a new generation of STEM talent in a country with a historically educated diaspora and entrepreneurial spirit.
Global Connectivity: Links Lebanese youth directly to NASA and international space efforts, creating visibility and opportunities that the 1960s program lacked.
Resilience in Tough Times: Held amid Lebanon’s ongoing economic and political challenges, it showcases national pride and unity through science — echoing the unifying national excitement the Cedar rockets once generated.

In essence, Space Apps Beirut keeps the “Cedar” flame alive: turning Lebanon’s youthful curiosity and scientific potential into tangible projects, open-source contributions, and global recognition. It’s not building physical rockets, but it is launching ideas, careers, and a persistent space-minded community that could one day support a real aerospace ecosystem in the country. For the latest or to get involved in future editions, check the official page or follow @spaceappsbeirut on social media.