Inspiring future scientists: YATS 2025 winners from Odisha tour ISRO centres

Bhubaneswar: The top 30 student winners of the 18th edition of the Young Astronomer Talent Search (YATS), a flagship initiative by Tata Steel in collaboration with Pathani Samanta Planetarium, operating under Science and Technology Department of Government of Odisha, have embarked on an educational exposure visit to the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) and U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Bengaluru.

The visit is scheduled from May 24 to May 28, 2025.

The journey was officially flagged off by Chithra Arumugam, Principal Secretary, Science and Technology Department, Government of Odisha and Chairperson, Pathani Samanta Planetarium, at a ceremony held at the Pathani Samanta Planetarium in Bhubaneswar. The winning students were selected from a competition from 30 district of Odisha.

Also present on the occasion were Urmiprava Maharana, Director, Pathani Samanta Planetarium and Deputy Secretary, Science and Technology Department and Sarvesh Kumar, Chief, Corporate Communications, Tata Steel.

Congratulating the winners who were chosen out of 71,000 participants, Chithra Arumugam said, ‘I am delighted that more number of students than the previous year are having the opportunity to visit ISRO facilities this year. This initiative not only celebrates the legacy of Pathani Samanta but also ignites the scientific curiosity of young minds. It has been truly inspiring for students who dream of becoming the next Sunita Williams.

Sarvesh Kumar, Chief – Corporate Communication, Tata Steel, added, “We believe in creating platforms that inspire and empower future scientists. Through YATS, we hope to provide meaningful exposure that can shape career aspirations and broaden perspectives.”

The students, accompanied by their teachers and officials from Tata Steel and Director of Pathani Samanta Planetarium, will visit the premier space research facilities, – ISTRAC and URSC. These visits will offer them first-hand insights into India’s space missions, satellite development and tracking technologies. Themed

“Will Space be Your Next Travel Destination?”, the 2024-25 edition of YATS aimed to ignite imagination and enhance awareness about space exploration. Since its inception in 2007, YATS has engaged over 4.7 lakh students, with more than 230 winners having visited ISRO centres.

YATS remains one of India’s most impactful science outreach initiatives, fostering scientific temperament and inspiring the next generation of astronomers and scientists across Odisha.