Viasat Announces Six Finalists for Viasat: Space for Good India STEM Challenge Finals in New Delhi

NEW DELHI, India — October 21, 2026 — Viasat Inc., a global leader in satellite communications, today announced the six finalists competing in the grand finals of the second annual Viasat: Space for Good India Challenge 2026. Organized in strategic partnership with the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), the flagship STEM competition brings together exceptional university talent from across India.  From AI-powered orbital debris avoidance and satellite-enabled disaster warning networks to crop health monitoring from space and emergency communications platforms designed for natural disasters, the finalists’ concepts showcase the transformative potential of innovation and are among the solutions that will be evaluated during the upcoming Viasat: Space for Good India Challenge finals. Meet the finalists here.

 

As India accelerates its rise as a global technology and space innovation hub, the country is uniquely positioned to shape the next generation of STEM-led solutions. India’s higher education system now serves more than 43 million students, while the nation has emerged as one of the world's largest producers of STEM talent. At the same time, India's space economy is projected to grow from approximately $8.4 billion today to nearly $44 billion over the coming decade, creating unprecedented opportunities for students, researchers, entrepreneurs and innovators.

 

More than a competition, Viasat: Space for Good demonstrates how connectivity becomes capability when paired with access to technology, mentorship and industry collaboration. Through the program, students gain opportunities to develop real-world solutions using the same satellite-enabled technologies that support governments, airlines, maritime operators and communities around the world. The result is a platform where ambitious ideas can evolve into practical innovations capable of creating lasting impact. 

Following a rigorous, multi-month evaluation process, six student visionaries have been selected to present their concepts live in New Delhi before a panel of prominent space industry leaders, government representatives, and satellite technology experts. Their concepts demonstrate how the next-generation of innovators is already addressing some of India's most pressing challenges while helping define the future of space-enabled services. 

 

Connectivity meets capability

 

Now in its second year in India, Viasat: Space for Good demonstrates that connectivity is far more than a commodity. By providing students with hands-on tools, real-world space technology, and dedicated mentorship from Viasat engineers, the program reflects Viasat’s core mission: connecting the unconnected and solving critical global problems.  

 

“India’s universities are producing extraordinary talent at a time when the nation is becoming a global force in technology, innovation, and space,” said Gautam Sharma, Managing Director at Viasat India. “Viasat: Space for Good is built on a simple belief: connectivity becomes capability when it is placed in the hands of people who are determined to solve meaningful problems. Through this program we are providing students access to technology, mentorship and real industry engagement, helping transform ideas into solutions that can improve lives. Just as importantly, we are bringing together universities, government organizations, industry partners and communities, because no single organization solves global challenges alone. These finalists are proving that the next generation of leaders in STEM and space innovation is already shaping India’s future today."

 

The top three winners of the 2026 India Finals will receive cash prizes to further develop their innovations and scale their impact. For more information about the program and upcoming initiatives, visit www.viasat.com/VSFG.