Sceye to Test 200-Foot HAPS Over Japan for SoftBank 5G as August Launch Nears
Updated
Updated · MIT Technology Review · Jun 24
Sceye to Test 200-Foot HAPS Over Japan for SoftBank 5G as August Launch Nears
1 articles · Updated · MIT Technology Review · Jun 24
Summary
As early as August, Sceye plans to fly its roughly 200-foot helium craft from the US Southwest to Japan, where it will station the vehicle 18 kilometers above the ocean to support SoftBank’s 5G network.
The test will use a custom antenna to beam data directly to devices, aiming to show that high-altitude platform stations can extend coverage from the stratosphere with less energy than low-orbit satellites require.
Sceye says the platform must balance ultra-light construction with enough strength, solar generation and battery storage to keep an electric fan running continuously and hold position against stratospheric winds.
A spring flight stayed aloft for 12 days, reached the coast of Brazil and remained parked for more than 88 hours, building on a 2024 test that proved the craft could maneuver back into place.
The Japan trial is part of a broader HAPS push by companies including Airbus unit Aalto, which see stratospheric craft serving disaster connectivity, Earth observation and eventually dense urban communications.
SoftBank has partnered with Sceye to advance High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) technology in Japan, supporting its Ubiquitous Transformation (UTX) vision for always-connected communications. By integrating non-terrestrial networks like satellites and HAPS with existing ground-based mobile networks, SoftBank aims to create a seamless and resilient communication infrastructure. This initiative focuses on providing essential backup during disasters that disrupt traditional networks and extending coverage to remote areas. The Sceye-SoftBank collaboration marks a major step toward bridging connectivity gaps and ensuring reliable communication across Japan, especially in times of crisis.