Enrique Gomez Jackson Wins Education Grant for ‘Earthlive’, a Smart Bracelet to Help Locate, Identify, and Save Lives During Natural Disasters

Viasat Inc., a global leader in satellite communications, announced Enrique Gomez Jackson as the winner of its Viasat Beyond: Space for Good 2025 initiative, a groundbreaking STEM innovation challenge for students. 

 

At the competition, Enrique presented his idea for a sustainable, eco-friendly smart bracelet that helps find people during natural disasters. The budget-friendly bracelet utilizes GPS technology to transmit the wearer's location to rescue teams through satellites or cell networks. It also keeps the wearer's encrypted information on an NFC chip, to help families find each other.

 

Enrique wowed a panel of expert judges including Space Ops Director at Space Force Ellie Constantine-Barredo, Space leadership, Business and Policy Ariel Barredo, Viasat’s President of Government Craig Miller, Viasat’s Vice President Strategic Operations of Engineering Kristin Walsh, Professor of Strategic Management at California State University San Marcos Dr. Cata Ratiu, and TSF delegate for LATAM & the Caribbean of Télécoms Sans Frontières Armando Samayoa Cervantes. 

 

Alongside Enrique, who will receive first prize of $15,000, Charles Williams, and Jessamine Stone, won second and third place prizes of $10,000 and $5,000 for their concepts, respectively. Charles’ idea focused on a satellite-guided smart irrigation system, while Jessamine presented a concept developing and utilizing biodegradable materials for spacecraft and satellites.

 

Finalists, outside of the top three including Eileen Phan, Meet Modi, Aayushi Mallik, Joshua Cho, Mahlak Abdullah, and Ayush Banerjee will receive an invitation to participate in three additional Viasat mentor sessions (online) over six months, to provide expertise around career tracks and help the students understand career future in STEM and opportunities they can explore. 

 

The finalists were chosen from thousands of entries from across the US. The competition, which launched this year, invited students at least 18 years old in the US to submit their ideas for space sustainability. The Viasat Beyond: Space for Good 2025 initiative empowers students to devise solutions that harness sustainable space technology for the betterment of life on Earth. By cultivating innovation and sustainability, we are shaping a future where space-based technology has a positive impact on a global scale, whether on land, in the air, or at sea.

 

Enrique Gomez Jackson, winner of the Viasat Beyond: Space competition, said: “Now that I did Viasat: Space for Good, I’m thinking that as a mechanical engineer with a specialization in business there’s a place for me in the industry where I can innovate, create things, and come up with new technologies to make the world better and improve the quality of life for everyone.”

 

Craig Miller, President of Viasat Government, said: "Space is a domain where in some cases humanity's technology and reach have outpaced its wisdom, with some not acting in the best long-term interest of humanity and space. Turning our focus back to how space can improve life on Earth is a noble cause. I'm proud to be a part of this challenge, which is an example of how we can give back and create relationships with students, partners, and governments that will last a lifetime. In doing so, we are creating future leaders, not just for Viasat, but for the rest of the world."

  

Ellie Constantine-Barredo, Space Ops Director at Space Force, competition judge, said:  “The Viasat: Space for Good program is a phenomenal way to bring in students from diverse backgrounds globally, who have innovative ideas that will advance our interests in space. It's critical for us in the industry to take the time to listen to these creative minds and break our own way of thinking to better address the constantly changing space environment. By doing so, we can use space technology for good and ensure we're looking at all opportunities for the future.”

 

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