Viasat announced on Apr. 2 the next phase of its Space for Good Challenge, focusing on empowering students to address space sustainability and related issues through innovation. The program will return to India and launch for the first time in Australia, highlighting Viasat’s commitment to fostering talent in the Asia-Pacific region.
The initiative aims to engage university students in developing solutions that address challenges such as orbital debris mitigation and leveraging satellite connectivity for social and environmental impact. Participants will progress through three stages: concept articulation, digital refinement, and a final pitch evaluated by industry experts.
Gautam Sharma, Managing Director at Viasat India, said, “Bringing ‘Viasat: Space for Good’ back to India for a second year reflects our deep commitment to this dynamic technology landscape. The innovation we witnessed from students last year was truly exceptional, and we look forward to seeing how this year’s participants build on our mission of digital inclusion to develop meaningful, sustainable space-solutions for India and the world.”
Carlin Charteris, Regional Vice President at Viasat Australia, commented on Australia’s inaugural participation: “We are proud to introduce the Space for Good Challenge to Australia for the first time. Given Australia’s unique geography and the vital role satellite technology plays in areas such as telecommunications, critical infrastructure, remote community connectivity and natural disaster resilience and defence, this initiative offers an important platform for university students to showcase their ingenuity. We look forward to seeing how they contribute to shaping a more sustainable and forward-looking space economy for Australia.”
Rebecca Grattan, Chief People and Culture Officer at Viasat added: “Space technology touches nearly every aspect of our daily lives—from how we travel, communicate, and ensure safety. By expanding the challenge to Australia and returning to India, we are reinforcing our commitment to developing talent and advancing solutions that deliver meaningful space-based impact on a global scale across land, in the air or at sea.”
Looking ahead, Viasat plans future editions of the challenge in regions including the United States as well as United Kingdom & Ireland by 2027. Winners will receive monetary prizes along with mentorship from Viasat experts.
