Viasat has announced the launch of its first Space for Good Challenge in India, following a global response of over 9,000 applications. The competition aims to support and encourage young innovators in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Eight finalists from India have been selected after two rounds of evaluation. Their proposals cover areas such as orbital manufacturing hubs, sustainable asteroid mining, electromagnetic satellite propulsion systems, space debris tracking technologies, plasma-based communications, and emergency satellite-based SOS networks. The students come from various well-known institutions including Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, SASTRA University, Nirma University, and Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology.
Gautam Sharma, Managing Director of India at Viasat said: “India is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s top space nations, with a thriving ecosystem of innovators, researchers and private startups driving its momentum. For Viasat, India is a key region, not only because of its growing role in global space technology, but also because of the unmatched talent and creativity of its young people. We see a lot of interest in space among the public and in schools. Through the Viasat: Space for Good Challenge, we are committed to empowering next generation of STEM leaders across the globe with mentorship, resources and opportunities to showcase solutions that can impact the future of sustainable space technology, both for India and the world.”
The 2025 edition builds on last year’s event by running parallel tracks in the United States and United Kingdom alongside India. The program focuses on developing technologies that promote sustainability in outer space with potential benefits for life on Earth.
Participants move through three stages during the challenge. In phase one they submit their initial ideas; phase two involves refining those concepts digitally; phase three consists of delivering a 30-minute presentation before industry experts who assess each proposal based on technical merit as well as design considerations and policy relevance. Each finalist is matched with a Viasat employee mentor based in India who will provide guidance up to six months beyond the finals.
Winners will receive university scholarships to further their education within fields related to space technology.
