Airbus Zephyr HAPS taking flight in Asia for NTT DOCOMO, Space Compass

The Airbus Zephyr HAPS (High Altitude Platform Station) is at the centre of an attempt to commercialise connectivity and earth observation services using HAPS, both in Japan and across Asia.

A consortium of Japanese businesses – led by NTT DOCOMO and Space Compass Corporation Inc – are investing $100m in the Japanese company AALTO HAPS, which builds and operates the stratospheric Zephyr platform. The consortium says it will also “support the industrial and commercial roadmap for AALTO’s services, targeting launch in Japan and a global entry-into-service in 2026”.

“NTT DOCOMO continues to improve network quality and has been focused on establishing new technology frontiers that enhance access to connectivity services,” said Takaaki Sato, Chief Technology Officer of NTT DOCOMO.

“Working with our partners Space Compass, AALTO and Airbus, we are excited by the potential of HAPS-based NTN (non-terrestrial networks) solutions. This technology brings together unique cutting-edge engineering with economics that are aligned to expand coverage to rural and remote areas, and support our collective response to natural disasters.”

For its part, Airbus highlighted its development of the Zephyr platform.

“After a decade of stewardship by Airbus Defence and Space, Zephyr has established itself as a leading HAPS platform in the world,” said Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space (also Chair of the AALTO Board of Directors). “Zephyr plays a key role in the space and defence ecosystem, addressing commercial and government sectors from the stratosphere. With the creation of a dedicated HAPS Services Business in 2022, AALTO has been propelled to a global leadership position in the industry.”

“Airbus Defence and Space has enhanced its partnership with NTT, NTT DOCOMO and SKY Perfect JSAT, while demonstrating the breath of its portfolio capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region. AALTO now has an excellent investor to help drive its ambitious growth plans over the coming years,” he added.

The investment will be made through the Japanese consortium’s investment vehicle, HAPS JAPAN Corporation, and also involves the Mizuho Bank and the Development Bank of Japan.

Airbus Zephyr

The Zephyr system was originally designed by QinetiQ, a commercial subsidiary of the UK’s Ministry of Defence, but was sold to Airbus Defence and Space in 2013.

Flying above 60,000 ft, Zephyr operates in the stratosphere, above weather and conventional air traffic. Airbus claims it as the only fixed-wing HAPS to have demonstrated day and night longevity in the stratosphere. It relies on solar energy, with secondary batteries charged in daylight to power overnight flight.

The system provides imagery and live video via the Airbus’ Strat-Observer service. Alternatively, it can be used as a “tower in the sky” to support direct-to-device connectivity.

See also: ESA selects Airbus to build the space weather satellite Vigil