The princle behind the app is very simple.
It works on Near Feild Communication (NFC) . The phone when comes in contact or a range of 4 cm with the Card Reader machines at Metro Station, comminucates with the machine and exchanges some data like Station Code, Journey Start Time. The data being shared is encrypted with a unique key, each time a contact takes place. Then this information is decrypted at the Exit Gate of another Metro station and then distance between the two stations is calculated using the Station Code (pre defined). What happens next is the update in the current balance.
SpaceApps is a NASA incubator innovation program.