Sceye and SoftBank Test Stratospheric Connectivity Across the Pacific

The ST1 mission reached Japanese airspace on September 2, 2026, operating at an altitude of approximately 16.5 kilometers. By deploying the SceyeCELL platform, the companies demonstrated that a single stratospheric craft could theoretically replace 500 terrestrial towers, providing voice, data, and emergency messaging services. The trial also verified the platform's ability to act as an edge computing node, processing data onboard to cut latency by 40% compared to traditional cloud-based routing.

Beyond basic connectivity, the project integrated drone communication and emergency alert systems, highlighting the potential for HAPS in disaster response. The craft maintained a station-keeping radius of just 5 kilometers for over a week, demonstrating the precision required for stable commercial service. This flight follows Sceye's previous endurance testing near Brazil and serves as a blueprint for SoftBank’s goal of creating a three-dimensional communications network that spans ground, sky, and space.