Young Innovators Urged to Push Boundaries at NASA Space Apps Challenge 2025
Dr. Abraham Varughese, Director of the Naval Science and Technology Laboratory (NSTL), called on participants to expand the frontiers of imagination and innovation to address the challenges of modern science and technology.
Delivering the keynote at the NASA International Space Apps Challenge 2025, organized by Dr. Lankapalli Bullayya College of Engineering (Autonomous) in association with Prajna Resources Private Limited, Dr. Varughese highlighted the role of young minds in shaping the future through research and creative problem-solving.
“Innovation begins with curiosity and courage,” he said, stressing the need for sustainable solutions for Earth and space. Platforms like the NASA International Space Apps Challenge bridge the gap between knowledge and application, fostering collaboration and global innovation.
The global hackathon, held under the theme “Learn, Launch, Lead,” encourages participants to apply NASA’s open-source data to tackle challenges in space science and technology, promoting creativity and problem-solving.
The DLBCE management, faculty, and students thanked Dr. G. Madhukumar for his visionary leadership, Prof. Dr. Deepak Chowdary for his encouragement, and Dr. G. S. K. Chakravarthy for his support and presence at the event. The program was coordinated by Mr. D. Bhujanga Rao and the organizing committee, ensuring smooth conduct.
Globally, the NASA International Space Apps Challenge, organized by NASA with 14 international space agency partners including ISRO, ESA, JAXA, and the Canadian Space Agency, brings together innovators from over 185 countries to develop solutions using NASA’s open data.
Over 300 students from Visakhapatnam colleges participated in the 48-hour innovation challenge, working on projects addressing scientific, environmental, and space-related issues. The hackathon continues to inspire participants to explore, discover, and contribute to global innovation for a sustainable future.