Storytelling challenge ("Abandoned but Not Forgotten"): a few rule questions

[divyasrikca-rgb]

1. Team size: May one person participate alone, as a team of one?
2. Video length: Is there a maximum length for the demo video? May I link a longer full film from the project page?
3. AI watermark: My animation is AI-generated and frames real NASA photos. Every frame shows "Animation: AI-generated with Claude · Photos: NASA". Is that acceptable?
4. NASA branding: I generated no logos, flags or mission identifiers, but some real NASA photos I show contain them (for example the flag on the Moon). Is showing unaltered or cropped NASA photos acceptable?
5. Other images: May I use NASA artist's concepts and one ESA image, labelled and credited?
6. NASA data: For storytelling, does citing facts, mission records and images from the listed NASA resources meet the "at least one NASA data source" requirement?
7. Audio: May I use a few seconds of the Voyager Golden Record greetings or sounds with credit, and licensed stock music that is not AI-generated?

Regards,
Divya

[chancyshah]

Hi, please find the clarifications below, based on the 2026 NASA Space Apps Challenge guidelines.

1. Team size

For eligibility for Global Judging, teams participating in the Universal Event must have a minimum of two (2) participants and a maximum of six (6) participants. Therefore, an individual working alone would not meet the minimum team-size requirement for Global Judging. Please ensure all team members are registered for the same Universal Event.
For more information, please check: https://www.spaceappschallenge.org/resources/participant-faqs/

2. Video length

The project demonstration must be either a video of no more than 30 seconds or a presentation of no more than seven slides (including title and closing slides).

You may include a link to a longer documentary or full-length film on your project page as supplementary material. However, it cannot replace the required short demonstration video or presentation.

3. AI/SI watermark

AI-generated content is permitted in the 2026 Challenge. However, all uses of AI must be clearly disclosed.

For AI-generated images and videos, a visible watermark indicating that the content is AI-generated is mandatory. Your proposed watermark, "Animation: AI-generated with Claude · Photos: NASA", is appropriate, provided it remains clearly visible in the AI-generated portions of the animation.

Please also describe how AI tools were used in your project submission.

4. NASA branding and imagery

AI-generated content must not use, contain, or modify NASA branding or design elements, including NASA logos, flags, and mission identifiers. Therefore, using unaltered NASA photographs, including photographs that naturally contain historical mission imagery or national flags, is generally acceptable.

5. Other images (NASA artist's concepts and ESA images)

NASA artist's concepts may be used, subject to the applicable image and media usage guidelines and proper attribution.

ESA imagery may also be used for educational, editorial, and informational purposes, provided the specific image's copyright and licensing conditions permit it. Please include the appropriate ESA copyright credit and check whether the image has any third-party ownership restrictions.

6. NASA data requirement

For eligibility for Global Awards, your project must incorporate at least one NASA data source listed in the Resources section of the specific 2026 challenge you have selected.

Simply citing NASA facts, mission records, or photographs does not automatically satisfy this requirement. The project should demonstrate meaningful engagement with at least one qualifying NASA data source.

You may use additional NASA resources, mission information, and Space Agency Partner resources to strengthen your storytelling, but ensure that the required NASA data source is explicitly identified and its use is demonstrated in your project.

7. Audio and music

You may use licensed stock music, provided the licence permits its use in your project and public submission.

Regarding the Voyager Golden Record greetings, NASA's website provides access to the recordings and their historical context. However, the availability of audio on NASA's website does not automatically mean that every recording is copyright-free. Some NASA audiovisual materials contain third-party copyrighted content.

Therefore, please verify the usage rights for the specific recording before incorporating it into your video. Proper attribution alone does not replace permission where permission is required.

I hope these clarifications help you finalise your submission. Please ensure that all third-party assets are appropriately credited and that the required demonstration and NASA data requirements are met.

[prarthanaadak-afk]

Hello ma'am 👋🏻
I've an issue that is I'm solo participating in this universal event..
Unfortunately I haven't found any team members

[kinato33]

you could've just added your friend and worked alone if you wanted, or added another account of yours although working with a mate is the perfect choice at least let your friend help you with organizing the field and writing the projects details and summary and make the demon while you work on the project
@prarthanaadak-afk @divyasrikca-rgb