The top 30 winners of the 19th edition of the Young Astronomer Talent Search (YATS) have embarked on an educational exposure visit to the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota Range in Andhra Pradesh. The visit will continue from May 26 to May 29, 2026.

Flag-Off Ceremony at Pathani Samanta Planetarium

The educational tour was officially flagged off by Odisha Science and Technology Minister Shri Krushna Chandra Patra at the Pathani Samanta Planetarium in Bhubaneswar. He highlighted that this is the first time YATS winners are visiting ISRO’s Sriharikota facility, calling it a significant opportunity for young minds to explore space science.

Students Selected from Massive Participation

This year’s YATS competition witnessed participation from over 76,700 students across Odisha through both offline and online modes. The top 30 winners were selected through a rigorous evaluation process focused on scientific aptitude, curiosity, and understanding of astronomy and space science.

Exposure to ISRO’s Space Missions and Technology

During the visit, students will explore key facilities at SDSC-SHAR, including launch vehicle systems, satellite technologies, and mission tracking operations. The tour aims to provide first-hand experience of India’s space research ecosystem.

Government and Tata Steel Officials Attend Ceremony

The flag-off event was attended by senior officials including Additional Chief Secretary Smt. Chithra Arumugam, Additional Secretary Smt. Sibani Mohanty, and Tata Steel representatives. Officials encouraged students to pursue careers in space science and innovation.

Inspiring Future Space Scientists from Odisha

Speaking at the event, officials emphasized that such exposure visits will inspire students to contribute to India’s future space missions. The initiative continues to nurture scientific temperament among young learners across the state.

YATS: A Legacy of Scientific Outreach

With the theme “Stargazer Today, Gagannaut Tomorrow,” YATS 2025–26 aims to ignite curiosity in astronomy and space science. Since its inception in 2007, the programme has engaged over 5.4 lakh students and facilitated more than 260 ISRO visits, making it one of India’s leading science outreach initiatives.