Viasat: Space for Good India Challenge 2026
Viasat Inc.
📌About the Event
The Viasat: Space for Good India Challenge 2026 is a national STEM innovation competition inviting university students in India to develop practical applications of satellite and space technology that can improve life on Earth. Participants can propose solutions related to connectivity, disaster response, space sustainability, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure and other real-world challenges. The competition progresses from an online written concept submission to a digital presentation and concludes with an in-person grand final in New Delhi.
ℹ️ Event Details
- Type: STEM, space technology and innovation challenge
- Mode of conduct: Hybrid
- Phase 1: Online written concept submission
- Phase 2: Online digital submission
- Phase 3: Mentoring and final preparation
- Grand finale: In-person presentation in New Delhi
- Participation format: Individual participation only; teams or group entries are not permitted.
- Competition duration: Approximately 22 weeks across three phases.
- Main objective: Develop an original application of satellite or space technology that produces a measurable benefit for people, communities or the environment on Earth.
- Official registration and submission platform: HeroX’s Viasat Space for Good India 2026 challenge page.
📅 Important Dates
- Phase 1 submission deadline: 19 July 2026, 11:59 PM IST
- Phase 1 evaluation: 20–31 July 2026
- Phase 2 begins: 3 August 2026
- Phase 2 submission deadline: 23 August 2026, 11:59 PM IST
- Phase 2 evaluation: 24 August–4 September 2026
- Finalist–mentor matching: 9 September 2026
- Finalists’ travel and finals programme: Expected to take place between 24 and 28 October 2026
🎯 Eligibility & Rules
- Eligibility:
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old when entering the competition.
- Applicants must be enrolled at an accredited university or higher-education institution in India.
- Undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students are eligible.
- Students from all academic disciplines and years of study may participate.
- Participants must have internet access for the online phases.
- Finalists may be asked to provide proof of university enrolment.
- Students must participate individually.
- Each applicant may submit only one entry.
- Finalists from previous editions of the Space for Good competition are not eligible to participate in the 2026 India edition.
- Employees, contractors and immediate family members of Viasat or HeroX are not eligible.
🏆 Benefits for the Participants
- First prize: ₹5,00,000
- Second prize: ₹3,75,000
- Third prize: ₹2,75,000
- Total cash prize pool: ₹11,50,000
- All six finalists will receive:
- Mentoring from a Viasat professional
- Travel to and from New Delhi arranged and paid for by Viasat
- Four nights of hotel accommodation during Finals Week
- Ground-travel support as determined by Viasat
- Viasat-branded merchandise
- An opportunity to present before space and technology industry experts.