Goan Girl shines at the NASA Space Apps Challenge
Eleanor da Fonseca from Colvale, Goa who is pursuing her Bachelor Honours degree in Computer Science at the Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand has recently won New Zealand’s first ever Space Apps Challenge. The android mobile app developed by her and three other team members allows users to share their sightings of the International space station. The mobile app lets the user to follow the International Space Station’s (ISS) real time position on a map. One can even take pictures and share the pictures with friends via social networking sites. The coolest part of the app is that it sends notifications to users so they know when the ISS is visible in their geographic region. The notification prompts users to start their app and view the ISS. There is also an augmented reality camera that lets users find the space station via a compass.
Speaking to Herald, Eleanor mentioned that Technology makes her to think “Out of the Box” and pushes her to explore new advancements in technology. She has a great interest in science and wishes to explore the possibilities of developing software that has an impact in robotics, data visualization and computer vision. Besides applying her mind and skills in the field of IT, Eleanor loves music, dance and is passionate about animals. While in Auckland, she has volunteered at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. We wish this young achiever all the best to a bright future.