SoftBank and Sceye Demonstrate Ground-Based Laser Ranging to HAPS Platform
SoftBank Corp. and Sceye have successfully demonstrated ground-based laser ranging, tracking a stratospheric platform and receiving laser signals in real-time.
SoftBank Corp. successfully tracked Sceye's stratospheric platform in real-time and continuously received reflected laser signals from the ground. This advancement supports future free-space optical (FSO) communications between ground, stratosphere, and space.
The demonstration took place in Moriarty, New Mexico, on September 23, 2026, involving ground teams from both SoftBank and Sceye. The stratospheric platform, a High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS), is an aircraft-like vehicle operating in the stratosphere at an altitude of approximately 20 kilometers.
The experiment tested laser ranging technology, which enables precise determination of distance and position. This capability is significant for the development of future communication networks, particularly in regions lacking robust ground-based infrastructure. It also holds potential for improving communication links with satellites.
SoftBank Corp. is a Japanese multinational conglomerate focused on investments in technology and telecommunications. Sceye is a U.S.-based company specializing in the development of stratospheric platforms. The collaboration leverages SoftBank's expertise in communication systems with Sceye's HAPS technology.