SES Americom has launched a competition for college studens designed to identify commercially viable ideas and concepts that show promise of advancing communications satellite technology and services, the company announced

The Clarke Challenge, named for Sir Arthur C. Clarke, will award $50,000 to the winning college or university student or team that best defines a feasible technical or applications concept that advances the existing state of the satellite communications industry. Clarke is recognized as the first person to propose the idea of communications satellites in geosynchronous orbit.

“The Clarke Challenge sets the stage for an exciting and vibrant competition among the best minds in academia today,” Edward Horowitz, president and CEO of SES Americom, said in a statement. “Through the Clarke Challenge, we hope to draw out the most imaginative ideas, while at the same time, putting a spotlight on the growth potential of our industry.”