An Indian team’s satellite internet concept has won a global award at NASA’s 2025 International Space Apps Challenge. The Chennai-based team, Photonics Odyssey, proposed a phased-array satellite internet infrastructure aimed at expanding broadband access to remote areas, earning the Most Inspirational Award.
The project seeks to decrease reliance on ground infrastructure and connect over 700 million people in India who currently do not have broadband access. The members of the winning team include Manish D., M. K., Prasanth G., Rajalingam N., Rashi M., and Sakthi R.
NASA reported that the 2025 hackathon attracted more than 114,000 participants from 551 local events in 167 countries and territories.
Indian American students and participants of Indian origin were also among the award winners, highlighting the significant involvement of the Indian diaspora in global science and technology.
The International Space Apps Challenge, launched in 2012, is NASA’s annual global hackathon aimed at engaging citizens in solving real-world issues through the agency’s open data. It has become one of the largest collaborative platforms for innovation in STEM fields.
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