Winners will receive a £7,500 education grant per person with
further funding for second and third places*
LONDON, Oct. 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Viasat, Inc.
(NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, has
launched its 'Viasat Beyond: Space' competition to support the next
generation of UK engineers, artists, space lovers, and
scientists.
Students in years 12 and 13 (or their equivalent in Scotland) from schools around the UK will work
individually or in groups of up to three and submit their creative
ideas to support a safe and sustainable UK space sector. During the
final stage of the competition, students will be mentored by Viasat
staff with a variety of backgrounds and with diverse specialisms to
help build both their ideas and speaking skills – before finalists
pitch to a panel of expert judges.
The competition is open for students to register from
today, during World Space Week 2023. All entrants must complete
the registration process and submit their responses to the first
assignment in writing between Nov. 6,
2023 and Jan. 7, 2024 by
11:59 p.m. (GMT). A shortlist of 30
individual participants/teams will then compete in a digital round,
before the final five pitch their ideas at Viasat's new
international headquarters in London in April
2024.
Each of the five finalists will receive a range of prizes,
including an opportunity to participate in a Viasat sustainable
space experience week, meeting international colleagues working or
with experience in STEM. The top three will also be awarded
education grants: £7,500 each for first place, £3,570 each for
second place, and £1,875 each for third place.
Students will be invited to build their submissions around the
theme of developing a safe and sustainable space UK space sector.
This means students will be able to pitch policy or research
topics, technology ideas with prototypes, or commercial or design
solutions that could help protect the space environment.
Viasat is working with education specialists Springpod to
develop the competition, with a special focus on promoting entries
from students from all backgrounds. The competition comes after
Viasat's expansion in the UK following its acquisition of UK-based
satellite firm Inmarsat in May 2023.
The combined company is now a leader in satellite communications
with a global footprint, with its international headquarters set to
open in London in 2024.
"Space is a global commons that we all rely on, so it's
incredibly important we use that shared resource in an equitable
and sustainable way," John Reeves,
Managing Director of Global Affairs at Viasat, said. "This
competition is about engaging, training, and captivating the next
generation of space champions - so they can help the UK lead the
way in protecting and growing a sustainable space economy."
"This competition provides an incredible opportunity for
students to get hands-on experience and mentorship from industry
experts at Viasat," said Sam Hyams,
CEO of Springpod. "We are committed to making this an inclusive
program that is accessible to all students regardless of
background. By tapping into the creativity and passion of these
young people, we hope to uncover innovative solutions that will
drive a more sustainable and prosperous space industry in the UK
and beyond. We encourage all eligible students to apply and look
forward to seeing the exciting ideas they bring to the table."
About Viasat
Viasat is a global communications
company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be
connected. With offices in 24 countries around the world, our
mission shapes how consumers, businesses, governments, and
militaries around the world communicate and connect. Viasat is
developing the ultimate global communications network to power
high-quality, reliable, secure, affordable, fast connections to
positively impact people's lives anywhere they are—on the ground,
in the air, or at sea, while building a sustainable future in
space. On May 30, 2023, Viasat
completed its acquisition of Inmarsat, combining the teams,
technologies, and resources of the two companies to create a new
global communications partner. Learn more at www.viasat.com, the
Viasat News Room, or follow us on
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X or YouTube.
About the competition
Terms and conditions for the
competition are available in Springpod's Hub at
https://viasat.springpod.com/. However, below is an overview of
what the available prizes are based on students' placement
following the final pitch to a panel of expert judges (the "Final")
and comprise:
First place
- For each of the students winning first place in the
Final, Viasat will pay directly to each winner £7,500 no later
than 17 May, 2024.
- Viasat Sustainable Space Experience Week will take place
8 July 2024 – 11 July 2024 in London and will consist of an experiential
learning week at Viasat's headquarters in London, where participants can expect to learn
and participate in a range of space-related experiences, get to
know engineers who are at the top of their field, and get a
behind-the-scenes look at one of the world's largest space
communications companies. All ordinary expenses comprising required
transport, lodging, meals, and other programme-related expenses of
the winning participant/teams will be fully paid by Viasat. To
participate, winners must confirm their participation no later than
24 May 2024. Unlike the finalist
event, student participants will not be required to be accompanied
by a parent/teacher chaperone.
Second place
- For each of the students winning second place in the
Final, Viasat will pay directly to each winner £3,750 no later
than 17 May, 2024.
- Viasat Sustainable Space Experience Week will take place
8 July 2024 – 11 July 2024 in London and will consist of experiential
learning week at Viasat's headquarters in London, where participants can expect to learn
and participate in a range of space-related experiences, get to
know engineers who are at the top of their field, and get a
behind-the-scenes look at one of the world's largest space
communications companies. All ordinary expenses comprising required
transport, lodging, meals, and other programme-related expenses of
the winning participant/teams will be fully paid by Viasat. To
participate, winners must confirm their participation no later than
24 May 2024. Unlike the finalist
event, student participants will not be required to be accompanied
by a parent/teacher chaperone.
Third place
- For each of the students winning third place in the
Final, Viasat will pay directly to each winner £1,875 no later
than 17 May, 2024.
- Viasat Sustainable Space Experience Week will take place
8 July 2024 – 11 July 2024 in London and will consist of experiential
learning week at Viasat's headquarters in London, where participants can expect to learn
and participate in a range of space-related experiences, get to
know engineers who are at the top of their field, and get a
behind-the-scenes look at one of the world's largest space
communications companies. All ordinary expenses comprising required
transport, lodging, meals, and other programme-related expenses of
the winning participant/teams will be fully paid by Viasat. To
participate, winners must confirm their participation no later than
24 May 2024. Unlike the finalist
event, student participants will not be required to be accompanied
by a parent/teacher chaperone.
Forward—Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are
subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of
1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward —
looking statements include, among others, statements that refer to:
Readers are cautioned that actual results could differ materially
from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors
that could cause actual results to differ include: date and
timelines of Viasat's new international headquarters opening.
View original
content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/viasat-launches-competition-to-find-the-uks-next-generation-of-space-experts-301947236.html