Two teams from Princess Sumaya University for Technology won first and second place in the local edition of the  NASA Space Apps Challenge 2024, organized by Al Hussein Technical University. The event saw participation from over 50 teams from universities and schools across Jordan.

The two-day challenge focused on finding solutions to 20 challenges we face on Earth and in space. Participants addressed topics such as challenges related to Earth, supporting astronauts, and improving space travel. Teams selected a specific problem and presented innovative solutions to a panel of experts in the field.

The FitMinds team won first place, consisting of Yousef Jarbou, Anas Ariqat, Mohammad Doleh, Sana Morad, and Layan Qaddoumi. Their project focused on designing a device to treat muscle atrophy experienced by astronauts in zero-gravity environments.

The Vectors team, which included Sandra Shawish, Aya Dweikat, Ahmad Hammad, Sanad Hajarat, Omar Horani, and Omar Mustafa, won second place. Their solution addressed energy waste during data transmission from space to Earth by accurately detecting seismic waves and transmitting only useful data to minimize energy loss.

University President Prof. Wejdan Abu Elhaija congratulated the winning teams for their remarkable achievement on the first day of the 2024/2025 academic year, which highlights the university’s excellence in innovation and technology and demonstrates the students’ ability to provide creative solutions to global and space challenges.

Prof. Abu Elhaija noted that this success aligns with the university’s ongoing development, supported by HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, whose vision guides the university toward excellence and international recognition. Abu Elhaija also commended the students for their commitment to representing Princess Sumaya University for Technology at all levels and praised the collaborative spirit between the King Hussein School of Computing Sciences and the King Abdullah II School of Engineering.

Yousef Jarbou, President of the IEEE Club and a member of the first-place winning team, noted that the teams winning first place in this year’s local challenge at Jordan University of Science and Technology, Yarmouk University, and Al-Hussein Technical University will be directly eligible to participate in the international challenge in mid-November, bypassing the regional stage.