Latest news with #HAPS
Asahi Shimbun
19-07-2025
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
Softbank to begin trial runs of ‘base stations in the sky' in 2026
Softbank Corp. said it will start trial tests of the High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) system in Japan in 2026. (Provided by Softbank Corp.) Telecom giant Softbank Corp. announced it will begin trials of a telecommunications system that operates closer to Earth than satellites. The High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) sends radio waves to the ground surface from an altitude of 20 kilometers. Trials of the 'base stations in the sky' are set to begin in Japan in 2026 with full-fledged telecommunications services eyed in 2027 or later. Each HAPS measures 65 meters and relies on the buoyancy of helium gas to remain airborne. The airships will be manufactured by Sceye Inc., a U.S. maker of aerospace parts. The HAPS system can deliver radio waves to a broad ground-surface area measuring 200 km across, which makes it ideal when restoring communications in times of disaster and providing network access to hard-to-reach areas such as mountainous regions. The system can also be used to communicate with drones. The HAPS vehicles are closer to the ground surface than satellites, such as those of the Starlink constellation operated by Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) of the United States. They can be used to provide voice calls, internet access and other services in much the same way that terrestrial networks do. HAPS services will be able to deliver radio waves within hours of a disaster occurring, Softbank officials said. 'We want to restore communications in a disaster in the three stages of immediate response by satellites, HAPS services to be made available within several hours, and finally, ground-based station services,' a Softbank official said.
CNBC
18-07-2025
- Business
- CNBC
Buy this high-flying battery maker as drone demand is set to surge, William Blair says
A rise in demand for drones could be a boon for Amprius Technologies stock, according to William Blair. The firm upgraded Amprius stock to outperform from market perform in a Friday note, albeit without a price target. Shares have surged more than 187% so far in 2025. The company develops and manufactures lithium-ion batteries that are used in drones and high-altitude pseudo satellites (HAPS). Analyst Jed Dorsheimer said that the stock will be a beneficiary of the Trump administration's emphasis and focus on drones for defense, as a result of its customers being key players in building the drones. AMPX YTD mountain Amprius Technologies stock in 2025. "This administration has made domestic drone production a strategic goal," the analyst said. President Donald Trump's " Unleashing American Drone Dominance " executive order in June has been a key catalyst for the industry, Dorsheimer said. "The stock has run up significantly from the drone executive order; however, our view is that Amprius is at the beginning of converting evaluations into large purchase orders, supported by the increased focus on drones, and momentum will continue in the shares," Dorsheimer said. The analyst also said Amprius' manufacturing capacity in South Korea and potentially in Europe could be ways to sidestep tariff concerns, especially since the company has a large production network that's reliant on China. "As of now, the performance advantage has outweighed any China related qualms for customers, but Western-friendly regions will eliminate any forward concerns, especially for military customers," the analyst said.
Sustainability Times
04-07-2025
- Business
- Sustainability Times
'We Built Internet at 60,000 Feet': This Flying Tech Marvel Is Reconnecting Disaster Zones Faster Than Ever Before
IN A NUTSHELL 🚀 Sceye leads the way in innovative High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) for global connectivity. leads the way in innovative (HAPS) for global connectivity. 🌐 Positioned in the stratosphere , HAPS offers reliable internet access even in remote or disaster-hit areas. , HAPS offers reliable internet access even in remote or disaster-hit areas. 🔋 Powered by solar arrays and lithium-sulfur batteries, these platforms can operate continuously for extended periods. and lithium-sulfur batteries, these platforms can operate continuously for extended periods. 📡 The partnership with SoftBank underscores HAPS's role in future telecommunications, complementing terrestrial and satellite networks. In the rapidly evolving world of telecommunications, innovation is the key to bridging gaps and addressing the challenges of connectivity. One of the most promising advancements in this field is the development of High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS). These platforms, operating from the stratosphere, have the potential to revolutionize how we maintain communication during emergencies and in remote areas. Companies like Sceye are pioneering this technology, offering a glimpse into a future where connectivity is ubiquitous, even in the most challenging environments. As we delve into the specifics of this groundbreaking technology, it becomes clear that the implications are vast and transformative. Revolutionizing Connectivity with High-Altitude Platforms The aerospace company, Sceye, is at the forefront of transforming communication through their High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS). These platforms are designed to operate from the stratosphere, approximately 11.4 to 12.3 miles above the Earth's surface. The strategic placement in the stratosphere allows for a combination of proximity and broad coverage, overcoming the limitations faced by both terrestrial and satellite networks. By utilizing helium for buoyancy, these platforms can remain airborne for extended periods, ranging from several months to a full year. This extended operational time is powered by solar arrays, which charge high-density lithium-sulfur batteries, ensuring continuous operation both day and night. The onboard electronics, including advanced computers and sensors, provide diligent monitoring and power management, making these platforms incredibly resilient and reliable. 'America's First Nuclear Reactor in 50 Years': This Ultra-Compact Power Source Will Deliver Electricity Where No Grid Can Reach One of the standout features of Sceye's HAPS is its ability to hold its position in the face of challenging wind conditions. This stability is crucial for applications such as proactive wildfire monitoring and other environmental management tasks. The platform's durability is further enhanced by its design, which is 1,500 times more gas-tight and resistant to UV and ozone exposure than previous models. The Role of HAPS in the 6G Era As the world transitions towards the era of 6G internet, the demand for robust and scalable telecommunications infrastructure has never been greater. SoftBank, a global telecommunications giant, has recognized the transformative potential of HAPS and has invested in Sceye's vision. This partnership underscores the belief that HAPS will be a core component of future telecommunications architecture, complementing existing terrestrial and satellite networks. 'I Built a Laser from Hell': YouTuber Unleashes World's Strongest Handheld Beam That Instantly Melts Metal and Ignites Anything SoftBank sees HAPS as a solution that not only expands network coverage to hard-to-reach areas but also plays a critical role in restoring communications during large-scale disasters. The advantages of HAPS are clear: faster speeds, greater capacity, lower latency, and flexibility that surpass traditional satellite communications. With these capabilities, HAPS is poised to support emerging technologies such as drones and UAVs, which are integral to the 6G vision. At SoftBank's 39th Annual General Meeting, Junichi Miyakawa, President & CEO, emphasized the importance of HAPS in the expanding telecommunications landscape, stating that they are taking the lead in making this core infrastructure a reality. 'They Gave the Drone an Elephant Trunk': Flexible Robot Arm Grabs, Bends, and Slips Into Tightest Spaces With Shocking Precision SoftBank and Sceye: A Strategic Partnership The collaboration between SoftBank and Sceye signifies a strategic move to harness the potential of HAPS in enhancing global connectivity. This partnership is not just about financial investment; it is a convergence of expertise and vision to address some of the world's most pressing communication challenges. SoftBank's commitment to advancing HAPS technology is evident in their plans to pilot a pre-commercial HAPS flight in Japan by 2026. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to develop a comprehensive telecommunications infrastructure capable of supporting both current and emerging needs. SoftBank is also working on its own HAPS platform, a heavier-than-air, fixed-wing aircraft, which aims to offer future commercial services. This dual approach of combining Sceye's stratospheric platforms with their own innovations positions SoftBank as a leader in shaping the future of global connectivity. Implications for Disaster Management and Remote Connectivity The potential applications of HAPS extend beyond just enhancing internet connectivity. In times of crisis, such as natural disasters, maintaining communication lines can be a matter of life and death. HAPS offers a lifeline in such scenarios, providing a resilient and reliable means of restoring communications when traditional networks are compromised. Additionally, HAPS can significantly improve internet access in remote and challenging environments, such as mountainous regions and isolated islands. By bypassing the limitations of terrestrial networks, these platforms can deliver consistent and high-quality internet services to areas previously considered unreachable. This capability has profound implications for both disaster management and efforts to bridge the digital divide. As we look to the future, the question remains: how will the integration of HAPS into our global communication networks reshape our approach to connectivity and crisis management? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (21)
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Operation Sindoor triggers India's space shield push with 52 defence satellites by 2029
Defence satellites : India is accelerating its space-based surveillance capabilities with the ₹26,968-crore Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) programme, aiming to launch 52 dedicated defence satellites by 2029, potentially sooner. This initiative, spurred by Operation Sindoor, seeks to enhance surveillance over China, Pakistan, and the Indian Ocean Region. The IAF is also pursuing high-altitude platform system (HAPS) aircraft for extended ISR missions. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads India is set to fast-track the launch of 52 dedicated defence satellites following Operation Sindoor , which underlined the importance of 'deep' and 'persistent' surveillance over enemy territory, ToI reported. A comprehensive military space doctrine is also being finalised to support this expanded ₹26,968-crore Phase 3 of the Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) programme, which was cleared by the Prime Minister-led Cabinet Committee on Security in October last year, includes the launch of 52 satellites — 21 to be built and launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and 31 by three private Indian companies. The Defence Space Agency (DSA), which functions under the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) of the Ministry of Defence, is leading the first satellite under this phase is expected to be launched by April next year, and the entire constellation is scheduled to be deployed before the end of 2029. A source told TOI that work is underway to 'compress these timelines' to launch the satellites faster into both low Earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary orbit. 'The three private companies that have got the contracts have been told to speed up building of the satellites,' the source said.'The aim of SBS-3 is to cover much larger areas of China and Pakistan, as well as the Indian Ocean Region, with shorter revisit times (interval between two consecutive surveillance sweeps of the same location) and much better resolution. The space doctrine is also being fine-tuned,' the source this space initiative, the Indian Air Force is pushing for three high-altitude platform system (HAPS) aircraft. These unmanned aerial vehicles, or 'pseudo-satellites', can operate in the stratosphere for extended periods, conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The pursuit of HAPS by the IAF had previously been reported by Operation Sindoor, which saw high-intensity conflict with Pakistan from May 7 to 10, India relied on domestic satellites like Cartosat and also used commercial foreign satellites to track enemy military movement. 'We need to shorten our OODA (observe, orient, decide and act) loop. The faster India gets the 52-satellite constellation up in space the better,' another source told satellite ambitions also have a defensive dimension. China is rapidly building up anti-space capabilities. These include direct ascent anti-satellite missiles, co-orbital satellites, electronic warfare systems and high-powered directed energy weapons such as lasers that could deny or degrade another country's access to comparison to China's military space progress, the scale is stark. China's military satellite fleet has grown from just 36 in 2010 to over 1,000 in 2024, including 360 satellites dedicated to ISR at a seminar earlier this month, IDS chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit said there was an urgent need to expand India's 'surveillance envelope' and highlighted how critical 'real-time situational awareness' is during military operations. 'We must detect, identify and track potential threats not when they approach our borders, but when they are still in their staging areas, airfields and bases, deep within an adversary's territory,' he also pointed to China's decision in April 2023 to create a PLA Aerospace Force, calling it a sign of Beijing's recognition of space as the 'ultimate high ground' in modern warfare. 'Their satellites have recently demonstrated sophisticated 'dogfighting' manoeuvres in LEO, practising tactics designed to track and potentially disable adversary space assets. They have evolved from a 'kill chain' to a 'kill mesh' — an integrated network that seamlessly interweaves ISR satellites with weapon systems,' said Air Marshal Dixit.
Yomiuri Shimbun
27-06-2025
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan's SoftBank to Trial ‘Flying Base Stations' From 2026; System to Initially be Used to Support Disaster Response, Areas with Weak Signal
SoftBank Corp. announced Thursday that it would begin trials of High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) stratospheric telecommunications services in Japan in 2026. HAPS, which is referred to as 'base stations in the sky,' is a telecommunication platform comprised of communication devices such as antennas for mobile phone base stations, which are loaded on aircraft that fly in the stratosphere at an altitude of 20 kilometers. SoftBank will invest about ¥2.2 billion in the U.S.-based company Sceye Inc., which develops lighter-than-air airship-type HAPS aircraft buoyed by helium and will begin using Sceye's platform. The technology will be utilized for restoring communications during large-scale disasters. HAPS are powered by solar panels and batteries, can remain airborne for extended periods and are able to cover a wider area than ground-based base stations. SoftBank will procure one Sceye aircraft of 65 meters long and begin test operations in Japan. The pre-commercial service will be limited to select users to accumulate operational data. Commercial services for general users are expected to begin after 2027, being used for disaster response and in areas where ground-based base station signals cannot be picked up, such as on remote islands.
