Astro Code 2026 IEEE AAU CS preparations
Along with the IEEE Student Branch at Amman Arab University and other local IEEE societies, the CS community at AAU are going to be supervising and organizing the Astro Code 2026 competition.
Set to be held at AAU's dorm on June 8th 2026, the technology-engineering hackathon will feature a multitude of extra activities to look forward to (including drone show, space culture night, "How to Present Your Project" session, and more).
- Main event:
The Astro Code competition is a national hackathon that focuses on creating a multidisciplinary platform for over 250 students from 15+ Jordanian universities to tackle real national space challenges through applied solutions.
The competition aims to address Jordan’s priority space challenges by advancing space science and applications, transforming these challenges into practical and innovative solutions led by university students across the country.
Astro Code 2026 is built on a fully collaborative model among participating IEEE technical societies, each contributing its expertise by defining track specific challenges, leading specialized training programs, supervising participating teams, and supporting the competition’s organization and administration. This collective effort creates a comprehensive framework that bridges academic knowledge with practical implementation, fostering innovation, teamwork, and research aligned with Jordan’s future in space and
advanced technologies.
- Side activities:
Astro Code is set to feature lots of engaging activities in addition to the main hackathon.
These include:
- Opening Ceremony & Panel Discussion:
A professional panel discussion on space and space technologies, featuring representatives from: -- Dr.Ammar sakaji – President The Jordanian Astronomical Society.
- Dr.Hana Sabat - Director of Scientific Affairs &Training Of Regional Center for Space Science and Technology Education for Western Asia.
- Prof. Ahmad Bani Younes – Head Of Pacecraft Platform for Astronautics and Celestial Emulation Labratory In San Diego State University. - Student Debate Session:
A structured student debate between a team defending the engineering and mechanical perspective. And a team defending the technology and software perspective.
The debate will be conducted by students from different IEEE student societies. - Astronomical Observation & Space Culture Night:
The evening will feature the following:
- Astronomical observation using optical telescopes.
- Advanced telescopes utilizing AI-based object recognition to identify celestial objects and planets.
- Activities aimed at promoting space culture and awareness among participants. - Aerial Drone & UAV Show:
A live aerial demonstration using drones and fixed-wing UAVs. As well as showcasing aerospace applications and unmanned systems technology as part of the competition activities.
- Astro Code and IEEE AAU:
Astro Code 2025 was the first pilot edition of the competition and proved to be a highly successful platform for multidisciplinary space and technology problem-solving. Over 25 teams participated in 20+ challenges across 8 specialized tracks, working intensively over two days. The event highlighted excellence, creativity, and teamwork, with top awards recognizing both performance and innovative ideas.
The success of this edition validated the concept and demonstrated the event’s potential, laying a strong foundation for expanding Astro Code 2026 into a large-scale national competition.
- CS contribution:
The competition consists of five main tracks, each containing 2–3 challenges. Teams can choose one challenge to participate in.
Each track is supervised by a Track Advisor, who oversees the track’s challenges, guides student teams, and provides support during the hackathon. And the CS will be advising (Track 3: Space Software & Law Applications).
The track will focus mostly on software and technical solutions, the community's specialty. And will include the following ideas:
- Software systems for space.
- law implementation.
- Space operations regulation.
- Software Development.
- Compliance systems.
- Pre-Competition Specialized Training:
As part of Astro Code 2026, a series of specialized pre-competition trainings will be offered to prepare students for the challenges of each competition track. Each training is supervised by the corresponding IEEE technical society, providing expert guidance and practical skill development.
And once again, the CS team will be supervising the "Web and Application Development & Digital Systems" training session. Which will cover the following:
- Perspective on designing & developing web applications and systems related to Jordan’s technological infrastructure.
- Practical software solutions.
- Hands on exercises tailored to the Space Software & Law Applications track.
- Timeline & schedule:
- Day 1 (June 8th 2026):
- Opening Ceremony: 9:00 AM
- Competition starts immediately after the opening.
- End Of Opening Ceremony: 12:00 PM
- Drone Show 8:00 PM
- Space Culture Night 10:00 PM
- Day 2 (June 9th 2026):
- Competition ends: 12:00 PM
- How to Present Your Project session: 12:00 – 1:00 PM
- Judging starts: 1:00 PM
- Lunch break: 2:30 PM
- Judging ends: 3:00 PM
- Closing Ceremony & Awards: 4:00 PM
- Sponsors / Support:
-
- IEEE AAU communities respectively: IEEE CIS AAU, IEEE CS AAU, IEEE RAS AAU, IEEE AESS AA (organization/ preparation/ coordination/ supervision/ training).
- IEEE EMBS (organization/ preparation/ coordination/ supervision/ training).
- IEEE AAU Student Branch (organization/ preparation/ coordination/ funding)
- Amman Arab University (venue and facilities)
- [potential F&B sponsors].
- Conclusion:
The Astro Code 2026 is looking up to be an absolute bombshell of an event and will likely be one of IEEE Jordan Section's hugest splashes yet!
The CS community at AAU is also working very hard into insuring the competition goes perfectly, and all our officers are already preparing all the necessary requirements and making sure everything is accounted for.
Our community's big role in Astro Code this year will not go unnoticed, and will inshallah put the CS chapter on the map as one of the most ambitious and involved of the Section's.
Date and Time
Location
Hosts
Registration
-
Add Event to Calendar
- Moubis, Jordan St.
- Amman, Jordan
- Jordan 11119
- Building: Amman Arab University building I
- Click here for Map
- Starts 19 May 2026 09:00 PM UTC
- Ends 06 June 2026 09:00 PM UTC
- No Admission Charge
Sami Al-Tamimi
Secretary – IEEE Computer Society, Amman Arab University Student Branch