#Japan #Tokyo #SoftBank Corp #Sceye #HAPS

Stratospheric Connectivity: A New Era in Telecommunications

In a remarkable demonstration of high-altitude technology, Sceye, a pioneering aerospace company from the U.S., and Japan's SoftBank Corp. have completed an impressive stratospheric connectivity test. This initiative is a significant step towards the commercialization of High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS), a technology poised to revolutionize the way we connect and communicate.

The Service Test 1 (ST1) mission took flight on August 9, 2026, from New Mexico, embarking on an extraordinary journey over 15,000 kilometers across the stratosphere to Japan. Covering this distance in just 13 days, the mission showcased not only the durability of Sceye's HAPS but also its capacity to integrate seamlessly with SoftBank's extensive telecommunications network. Upon arrival in Japan, the ST1 mission successfully delivered mobile broadband connectivity to unmodified devices, demonstrating its edge computing and communication capabilities.

The CEO of Sceye, Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen, emphasized the significance of this flight, stating, “This flight marks a defining moment for Sceye and for the commercial potential of HAPS.” He further explained how the successful flight demonstrated the performance necessary to operationalize the stratosphere as a new layer of connectivity infrastructure. This shift towards high-altitude solutions is anticipated to complement terrestrial networks and existing satellite constellations, enabling persistent connectivity on a vast scale.

The use of the stratosphere provides a unique advantage for telecommunications. Positioned at an optimal altitude, Sceye’s HAPS remains close enough to Earth to ensure high-capacity connectivity while offering a wide area of coverage. Unlike traditional satellites, which are often far more costly and complicated to manage, Sceye’s HAPS operates at a fraction of that cost and boasts the ability to maintain its station in the stratosphere efficiently.

SoftBank's involvement in the project represents a crucial investment in this transformative technology. The collaboration aims to extend connectivity during emergencies, bolster disaster response efforts, and support a range of applications in AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), aerial communication, and the upcoming standards of 6G technology. “SoftBank aims to build next-generation communications infrastructure that seamlessly connects the ground, the sky, and space,” stated Junichi Miyakawa, President and CEO of SoftBank Corp, underlining the company’s commitment to integrating innovative technologies.

The ST1 mission introduced the SceyeCELL, a groundbreaking “cell tower in the sky,” designed to deliver mobile broadband directly to standard devices. With the capacity to serve the equivalent area of approximately 500 terrestrial towers when fully scaled, Sceye’s solution is set to redefine connectivity norms. Throughout the ST1 mission, the HAPS not only facilitated various telecommunications services such as text messaging, voice calls, and internet access but also enabled video streaming and conducted emergency communications tests.

Key attributes of the mission included:

• - A successful operation within Japan’s managed airspace for over a week.
• - Maintenance of a station-seeking radius as narrow as 5 kilometers, ensuring consistent connectivity.
• - Achieving altitudes of approximately 16.5 kilometers while completing essential telecommunications tasks.
• - Confirmation of communication performance paralleling classic terrestrial networks alongside reduced interference.

The experiment also featured a server onboard the HAPS that allowed Sceye and SoftBank to process data directly, yielding an average response time of 68 milliseconds. This advancement represents a pivotal moment where a mobile core network along with web server capabilities were installed aboard a HAPS for processing, showcasing the future potential of efficient onboard data handling.

Looking ahead, the ongoing flight of ST1 signals a promising future for Sceye and SoftBank's ambitions to harness the full potential of HAPS in shaping the telecommunications landscape. As the mission continues toward the U.S. over the Pacific Ocean, the partners intend to advance their initiatives further, solidifying a three-dimensional communications network that will enable improvements across various telecommunication sectors.

Founded in 2014, Sceye is dedicated to enhancing stratospheric technology for universal connectivity and environmental monitoring. With a focus on connecting communities and protecting our planet, the company aims to lead innovations that will ensure a more connected future for everyone.