New Delhi: Viasat Inc., a global leader in satellite communications, has officially launched the India edition of the Viasat Space for Good Challenge 2025, a pioneering global STEM innovation competition.
The initiative, which has already achieved success in the United States and United Kingdom, is being hosted in partnership with BSNL and government agencies. The India finals are scheduled to take place in New Delhi on September 26, bringing together university-level students from leading academic institutions.
The Viasat Space for Good Challenge 2025 attracted more than 9,000 applications globally and is making its India debut this year. Following multiple screening phases, eight finalists from across the country have been selected to present groundbreaking ideas in sustainable space technology.
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Their projects include orbital manufacturing hubs, asteroid resource mining, electromagnetic satellite propulsion, intelligent space debris tracking systems, plasma-based communication, and satellite-enabled emergency SOS networks.
Gautam Sharma, Managing Director of Viasat India, stated: “India is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s leading space nations. For Viasat, India represents not just a key market but also a hub of unmatched creativity and talent among young people.
The Viasat Space for Good Challenge 2025 is aimed at equipping the next generation of STEM leaders with resources, mentorship, and opportunities to deliver solutions that advance sustainable space technology for the future.”
The India finalists of Viasat Space for Good Challenge 2025 represent institutions including Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), SASTRA University, Nirma University, and Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology.
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Structured across three global tracks – the US, UK, and India – the 2025 challenge emphasizes the development of sustainable space technologies that enhance life on Earth.
Viasat Space for Good Challenge 2025: Participants undergo three phases:
- Phase 1: Submission of initial concepts
- Phase 2: Digital entries with refined proposals
- Phase 3 (Finals): 30-minute pitches evaluated by industry leaders on technical, design, policy, and implementation criteria.
In India, each finalist team is paired with a Viasat mentor to guide them through the competition and beyond, with mentorship continuing for six months post-event.
Winners will be awarded university scholarships to further strengthen their contributions to the global space technology ecosystem.
