IIT Kharagpur student wins Rs 5 lakh for AI debris shield DRISHTI
· Technology · India Today, Gadgets360
Aerospace engineering student Adeetya Uppal from IIT Kharagpur won the 2026 Viasat Space for Good India Challenge for DRISHTI, an AI-based system that detects threatening space debris and calculates satellite avoidance manoeuvres. The 21-year-old, originally from Navi Mumbai, developed the system to automate collision warnings and protect satellites supporting communication, navigation and disaster response. DRISHTI uses artificial intelligence to monitor dangerous debris, calculate safe evasion trajectories and transmit avoidance commands through Viasat's satellite network. The innovation aims to reduce response times from hours to seconds while preserving satellite fuel and protecting orbital infrastructure. Uppal received Rs 5 lakh in funding to further develop the concept.
Why it matters
The system directly protects the expanding constellation of satellites that underpin India's GPS navigation, telecommunications and disaster response infrastructure from collision with space debris.
Read the original report — India Today
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