Welcome to the Aerospace Jam 2025-26 season:
Mars Payload Return!
Mars Payload Return!
This site contains the full rules, scoring criteria, and laws for the 2025-2026 Aerospace Jam, where Wisconsin high school teams compete by designing and building drones for a simulated NASA mission to Mars. Along with detailed competition guidelines, you'll find a collection of useful guides, tutorials, and code snippets to assist you throughout your drone-building journey. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced participant, these resources are designed to help you succeed in this exciting challenge. If you encounter any issues, please try asking for help on the Aerospace Jam Discord, or contact Henry Martin.
If you're new to the Aerospace Jam, you should read the Introduction first.
If you're considering joining the Aerospace Jam, you should read the Laws and Rules first to ensure that you're able to compete.
Season Dates
Competition
April 10, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Notebook/Codebase Deadline
April 1, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum team size?
Teams can have a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 10 student members, plus one adult mentor (teacher or parent).
Are there any restrictions on the hardware we can use?
For the core sensor kit, you must use the parts we provide. We do this to ensure a level playing field for all teams. If any of your provided parts are not working, we will provide replacements, but you must use the official parts. For all other non-sensor and challenge-related aspects of your drone, you are free to use any hardware you like, as long as it complies with the safety and size constraints in the documentation.
What is the registration fee?
There is none! Aerospace Jam is 100% for all teams and mentors involved, and is fully funded by the WSGC and generous industry grants, as well as our partners.
Can multiple teams share a mentor?
Yes! A single adult mentor can have up to 5 teams under them, to accommodate high schools or community organizations with lots of students.