Snapstronaut

An interactive platform for astronauts to combat isolation in space, share task photos on a communal feed, and track the ISS location to connect with Earth, fostering connection and support.

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Inspiration

Our inspiration for Snapstronaut came from recognizing the challenges faced by astronauts on long-duration space missions. While we continue to push the boundaries of exploration, the mental and emotional toll of isolation in space remains a big issue. The vast distances, prolonged absence from loved ones, and confined environment can increase feelings of loneliness, stress, and even depression.

We believe that as we venture into space, we must also support the well-being of those do so. Snapstronaut is built on the idea that meaningful connection can bridge even the greatest distances, helping astronauts stay grounded and feel a sense of belonging. By fostering community and creating shared experiences, we hope to make space exploration not just sustainable for the mind, but also the the body.

What it does

Snapstronaut is an interactive platform designed to help astronauts combat loneliness, isolation, and stress in space. By fostering community through shared tasks and real-time ISS tracking, Snapstronaut connects astronauts to each other and to loved ones on Earth.

Key features include:

1. Photo Feed & Task List: Astronauts complete daily connective, mindfullness, and wellness tasks and share photos, contributing to a community feed where they can see and interact with others' posts.

3. Planetary Tracker: Shows the ISS’s current location and notifies astronauts when it will pass over specific areas on Earth, allowing them to connect with loved ones based on their geographic location.

4. Leaderboard: The friendly team leaderboard adds a fun, competitive element with points being gained after uploading picture of completing tasks.

5. User Authentification: Allows users to create their own personalized accounts and a dashboard to track their tasks and progresses. Teams are formed/joined by astronaunts through team name during signup.

How we built it

It built using a combination of technologies to ensure a responsive, scalable, and secure experience for astronauts.

Frontend Technologies:

  • Frameworks: React and JavaScript for a dynamic, interactive frontend.
  • Styling: HTML, CSS, and Tailwind CSS to create a modern, user-friendly design.

Backend & Web Services:

  • Python Flask: Used for backend API services and logic.
  • AWS & Terraform: EC2 instance to host both backend and frontend, with Terraform for automated infrastructure provisioning.
  • S3 Buckets: Secure photo storage, with links in the database for easy access.
  • PostgreSQL (AWS RDS): Manages and organizes user data and task tracking information.

Data Processing & Mapping:

  • Leaflet.js & Open-source API: Leaflet.js displays the ISS location, updated every five seconds using an open-source API to map the ISS’s latitude and longitude on Earth.

Authentication & Security:

  • JWT (JSON Web Tokens) & CORS: Used to manage secure data transactions and ensure smooth frontend-backend interactions.

Challenges we ran into

Some challenges we faced included:

  • Merge conflicts and dependency issues: During development, we encountered several merge conflicts with dependencies that took time to resolve, especially when integrating new libraries.
  • Permission issues with S3 buckets: We had to navigate permission issues to ensure secure yet accessible photo storage for users.
  • Deployment and CORS/JWT conflicts: Configuring secure, seamless interactions between the frontend and backend required us to troubleshoot CORS and JWT conflicts.
  • ISS tracking data: Finding reliable data for the ISS’s location was challenging, but we overcame it by using an open-source API that updates the ISS’s location every five seconds, allowing us to keep the map feature accurate and engaging.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We’re proud of creating an app that could meaningfully support astronauts' mental health during their time in space. The platform's combination of interactive tasks, a community feed, and real-time ISS tracking creates a unique space where astronauts can feel connected to Earth and to each other. Our app tackles a real, high-stakes problem with a practical and fun solution, promoting well-being for astronauts in challenging environments

What we learned

Throughout this project, we gained a lot of knowledge:

  • Terraform and AWS: Setting up infrastructure with Terraform and navigating AWS services like EC2, S3, and RDS was a new challenge that enhanced our backend skills.
  • Front-end engagement: We learned about creating an engaging, interactive user experience that feels intuitive and friendly, even in a high-stress environment.
  • Real-time tracking with Leaflet.js: Implementing Leaflet.js and handling real-time updates with ISS location data introduced us to new ways of visualizing geolocation data.

What's next for Snapstronaut

Our next steps for Snapstronaut include:

  • Enhanced Task Library: Expanding the task library with more personalized challenges and activities to increase astronaut engagement.
  • Mental Health Analytics: Implementing analytics to help astronauts track their well-being over time and connect with Earth-based support if needed.

By continuing to refine and expand Snapstronaut, we aim to make a meaningful impact on the well-being of those undertaking critical work in space.

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