#United States #SoftBank #Sceye #HAPS #Moriarty

Introduction

Sceye, a pioneering company in aerospace technology, has announced the successful return of its stratospheric platform to the United States after an unprecedented journey to Japan. This mission, known as Service Test 1 (ST1), has set a historical benchmark in high-altitude connectivity solutions.

The Journey

Launched on August 9, 2026, from Moriarty, New Mexico, the platform embarked on a remarkable stratospheric voyage covering nearly 30,000 kilometers. This 30-day mission involved operations in the stratosphere over Japan, where Sceye collaborated with SoftBank Corp.

During the stay in Japan, Sceye's team successfully demonstrated a range of capabilities including broadband connectivity to unmodified devices, communications from drones, and edge computing solutions from the stratosphere. These accomplishments underlie the viability and readiness of Sceye's technology for commercial deployment.

Innovations and Collaborations

This flight, realized in partnership with SoftBank Corp. — a leading telecommunications and IT service provider — marked Sceye's first entry into the Asian market. Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen, Sceye's founder and CEO, expressed his excitement about the mission stating, "Our flight of ST1 is not only innovative but historic. It proved that our systems are ready to provide connectivity services from the stratosphere, which will play a crucial role in future communication technologies like 6G."

Demonstrating Connectivity

Sceye's stratospheric platform operates as an unmanned free balloon, which allows it to maintain consistent altitude while delivering expansive coverage. This setup translates to an efficiency far surpassing traditional ground-based towers. ST1 transported a custom-built system known as SceyeCELL — a metaphorical 'mobile tower in the sky' — designed to directly relay mobile broadband services down to the earth.

In the optimal environment of the stratosphere, Sceye's platform is capable of providing communication capabilities akin to those of terrestrial networks, significantly reducing radio interference and enhancing signal quality.

During its operational period in Japan, Sceye's platform maintained a position with minimal deviation, achieving operations within a radius of just five kilometers from its target area. It successfully completed various communication tests, including emergency call systems, text messaging, video streaming, and internet access, showcasing its capabilities in diverse telecommunications scenarios.

Outstanding Performance Metrics

• - Altitudinal Operations: Sceye operated the platform at altitudes between 16.5 to 17 kilometers.
• - Response Times: The onboard server processed data with an impressive average response time of 68 milliseconds, drastically reducing latency compared to traditional cloud processing methods.
• - Continuity: The platform operated consistently over its targeted location for a total of more than seven days, verifying the potential for persistent, permanent connectivity solutions.

Future Impact

Sceye's mission not only reinforces the company's leadership in High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) but also indicates a new era of infrastructural development in non-terrestrial domains. The full-spectrum capabilities demonstrated during this test provide a promising outlook for future disaster management, climate monitoring, and enhanced connectivity, enabling smarter community solutions.

This significant milestone in the aviation and telecom industries heralds great advancements not just for Sceye, but for global connectivity as a whole, positioning the stratosphere as a new frontier for communication infrastructure. Sceye is poised to leverage this experience as it moves toward full-scale service deployment.

About Sceye

Founded in 2014, Sceye, pronounced