Bhubaneswar, May 23, 2025: 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 Smt. Chithra Arumugam, IAS, 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 Smt. 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, Smt. 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.
Shri 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.
