A Telangana student has brought pride to the state by securing third place in the prestigious Viasat Space for Good India Challenge 2025 with an innovative orbital settlements project. This accomplishment highlights the state’s growing presence in national STEM competitions and showcases how local talent is shaping India’s space future.
Third Place Win for Telangana at Viasat Space for Good
Arunteja Jarupula, an 18-year-old student from IIT Kanpur originally from Telangana, earned the third prize for the concept named “STELLAR”—a visionary proposal to create orbital settlements functioning as manufacturing hubs in space. The project is designed to support sustainable resource utilization and establish India as a future leader in off-Earth manufacturing and technology.
About the Viasat Space for Good India Challenge
The competition invites university students to use space technology in solving real-world problems, and it received over 9,000 applications nationally in 2025. This year’s finals featured young innovators presenting concepts in satellite propulsion, plasma communication, asteroid resource mining, and orbital settlements.
Telangana’s Youth as Science Leaders
Arunteja’s achievement marks another milestone for Telangana in the space and innovation domain, underlining the state’s reputation for nurturing top STEM talent. Notably, the winners benefit from cash awards and mentorship from leading figures in India’s space sector, preparing to carry forward groundbreaking research and tech-based initiatives.
For Hyderabadstories readers, Arunteja’s orbital settlements concept is not just a winning idea—it’s a sign of Telangana’s role in shaping the future of space, science, and sustainable innovation.
