by Well done on a fantastic idea.
Based in Carlsbad Global satellite communications provider Viasat Inc. declared Enrique Gomez Jackson the victor of its nationwide STEM innovation challenge, Viasat Beyond: Space for Good 2025.
Gomez Jackson won the $15,000 first prize for his concept of a smart, sustainable wristband that aids in people’s whereabouts in the event of a natural disaster. In order to facilitate family reunions, the bracelet keeps encrypted data on an NFC chip and uses GPS to send the wearer’s location over satellites or cellular networks.
Charles Williams ($10,000) came in second with a satellite-guided smart irrigation system, and Jessamine Stone ($5,000) came in third with a concept that used biodegradable materials in satellites and spacecraft. Over the course of six months, the other finalists—Mahlak Abdullah, Ayush Banerjee, Joshua Cho, Aayushi Mallik, Meet Modi, and Eileen Phan—will participate in three more online mentorship sessions with Viasat.
According to Gomez Jackson, this program demonstrated to me that, as a mechanical engineer with a focus on business, I can find a position in the field where I can develop new technologies, invent, and manufacture things that will improve the world.
Refocusing our attention on how space may enhance life on Earth is a commendable goal, according to Craig Miller, President of Viasat Government. Being a part of this challenge makes me proud since we are developing future leaders for the world, not simply Viasat.
Get neighborhood news in your inbox. It’s free and enlightening.
Become one of the 20,000+ individuals who receive breaking news alerts and the Times of San Diego in their inbox every day at 8 a.m.
Weekly updates from San Diego communities have also been provided! You acknowledge and agree to the terms by clicking “Sign Up.” Choose from the options below.
“The Space for Good program is a fantastic way to bring in students from diverse backgrounds with innovative ideas that will advance our interests in space,” said Ellie Constantine-Barredo, director of space operations for Viasat and a judge in the competition. To deal with the ever-evolving space environment, it is imperative that we in the industry pay attention to these innovative ideas and challenge our own paradigms.
