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Key Points

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia praised young innovators for their contributions to India's growing space sector. He specifically highlighted how these entrepreneurs are bringing space technology closer to everyday applications like agriculture and education. The Viasat Space for Good India Challenge 2025 crowned Mayank Golechha as national winner for his fuel-free satellite propulsion project. Other winners included Bhoomi Raiyani and Arunteja Jarupula with innovative space settlement and plasma technology concepts.

Key Points: Jyotiraditya Scindia Hails Young Innovators in India Space Sector

  • Scindia congratulated winners of Viasat Space for Good India Challenge 2025
  • Mayank Golechha from BITS Pilani won with fuel-free satellite propulsion project
  • Bhoomi Raiyani and Arunteja Jarupula secured second and third prizes respectively
  • Competition jury included experts from IN-SPACe, Indian Space Association, and Skyroot Aerospace
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Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia hails young innovators for their contributions to India's space sector boom

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia praises young innovators at Viasat Space Challenge 2025, celebrating projects that bring space technology closer to agriculture and education.

"You, the budding entrepreneurs with your wonderful ideas and platforms, are bringing space much closer to us through agriculture, education and more. - Jyotiraditya Scindia"

New Delhi October 5

Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M Scindia lauded the efforts of young innovators leveraging space technology for real-world impact, saying "space -- the final frontier -- is now within mankind's reach" as he congratulated winners of the Viasat: Space for Good India Challenge 2025.

In a video message to participants of the challenge, Scindia said, "You, the budding entrepreneurs with your wonderful ideas and platforms, are bringing space much closer to us through agriculture, education and more. Congratulations to all participants, and may you move from strength to strength and lead India's flag as we move on to become a developed nation."

The innovation challenge, launched by global satellite communications leader Viasat Inc., crowned Mayank Golechha from BITS Pilani as the national winner for his project 'MagnoSat', which proposes the use of superconducting electromagnetic rings in various orbits to accelerate satellites without the need for traditional fuel. He bagged a cash prize of Rs 4 lakh.

The second prize of Rs 2.5 lakh went to Bhoomi Raiyani from Nirma University for her project 'Plasma Pathways'. In comparison, Arunteja Jarupula from IIT Kanpur secured the third spot and won Rs 1 lakh for his concept 'STELLAR', focused on orbital space settlements serving as manufacturing hubs.

Expressing gratitude, winner Mayank Golechha said the recognition reinforced his belief in the transformative potential of space technology. "This opportunity has encouraged me to push the boundaries of creativity and technical skills. I hope my project inspires others to explore innovative ideas that build a better future for our planet and humanity," he said.

Gautam Sharma, Managing Director of Viasat India, said the competition showcased the "incredible ingenuity and passion" of Indian youth. "The challenge is a testament to India's vibrant innovation ecosystem and the role of space technology in solving real-world challenges," he noted.

Anil Kumar Bhardwaj, DDG (Satellite Engineering), Department of Telecommunications, called it a "happy time" for innovators, citing strong industry and government support. "The ecosystem is vibrant, funds are available, and the government is ready to back India-centric solutions that transform connectivity," he said.

The competition's jury included leading experts from IN-SPACe, the Ministry of Communications, the Indian Space Association, Skyroot Aerospace, and Viasat. Apart from the top three, five other finalists will receive mentorship through additional sessions over six months to explore career opportunities in the STEM and space sectors.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Rohit P
Great to see Bhoomi Raiyani representing women in STEM! We need more female scientists in our space program. Her Plasma Pathways project shows that innovation knows no gender barriers. More power to her! 👩‍🔬
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Arjun K
While I appreciate the enthusiasm, I hope these projects actually get implemented and don't just remain competition winners. We've seen many such initiatives that never see the light of day. The real test is commercial application.
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Sarah B
The mentorship program for finalists is a brilliant idea! Six months of guidance from industry experts can really help these young minds refine their ideas. This is how we build a sustainable innovation ecosystem.
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Karthik V
BITS Pilani, Nirma University, IIT Kanpur - our educational institutions are truly producing world-class talent! The future of Indian space technology looks bright with such brilliant minds leading the way. 🎓✨
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Michael C
Arunteja's orbital space settlements concept is fascinating! Manufacturing hubs in space could revolutionize how we think about industrial production. This is the kind of forward-thinking that will put India on the global space map.

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