Japanese Consortium Invests USD$100m in Airbus Subsidiary AALTO to Propel HAPS Commercialization

Japanese Consortium Invests USD$100m in Airbus Subsidiary AALTO to Propel HAPS Commercialization

(IN BRIEF) In a strategic move set to redefine connectivity and earth observation services in Japan and across Asia, a consortium of leading Japanese businesses and banks, spearheaded by NTT DOCOMO, Inc. and Space Compass Corporation, commits a substantial USD$100 million investment in Airbus subsidiary AALTO HAPS Limited (AALTO). Facilitated through the consortium’s investment vehicle, HAPS JAPAN Corporation, this investment heralds the initiation of a strategic alliance aimed at accelerating the industrial and commercial roadmap for AALTO’s Zephyr High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS), a solar-powered stratospheric aircraft with transformative capabilities for mobile connectivity and earth observation. Leveraging Airbus’s expertise in earth observation and NTT DOCOMO’s prowess in terrestrial mobile connectivity, AALTO is poised to revolutionize non-terrestrial networks (NTN) in Japan, with Zephyr slated for global deployment by 2026. This strategic partnership underscores Japan’s commitment to expanding coverage, particularly in rural and remote areas, and fortifying its response to natural disasters, cementing AALTO’s position as a global leader in the burgeoning HAPS industry.

(PRESS RELEASE) FARNBOROUGH, 4-Jun-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — In a significant move to bolster the advancement of High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) technology and its commercial applications, a consortium of leading Japanese businesses and banks has pledged a substantial investment of USD$100 million into AALTO HAPS Limited (“AALTO”), a subsidiary of Airbus. This consortium, spearheaded by NTT DOCOMO, Inc. (“NTT DOCOMO”) and Space Compass Corporation (“Space Compass”), includes prominent entities like Mizuho Bank Limited and the Development Bank of Japan Inc.

The investment, facilitated through the consortium’s investment vehicle, HAPS JAPAN Corporation, signifies the commencement of a strategic alliance aimed at accelerating the commercialization of connectivity and earth observation services utilizing HAPS in Japan and across Asia. It also reinforces the industrial and commercial roadmap for AALTO’s services, with targeted launches in Japan and a global entry-into-service anticipated by 2026.

Zephyr, the solar-powered HAPS manufactured and operated by AALTO, holds immense potential with its ability to remain airborne in the stratosphere for extended durations. This transformative technology promises game-changing capabilities in mobile connectivity and earth observation. Leveraging Airbus’s earth observation service, Strat-Observer, Zephyr can cater to a diverse array of monitoring, tracking, sensing, and detection applications, in addition to offering low-latency 5G direct-to-device mobile connectivity services.

NTT DOCOMO, renowned for its terrestrial mobile connectivity expertise, is poised to lead the direct-to-device connectivity sector in collaboration with AALTO. This strategic alignment, combined with advanced earth observation solutions from Airbus Defence and Space, creates a formidable consortium aimed at driving innovation and expanding the reach of non-terrestrial networks (NTN) in Japan and beyond.

The investment also solidifies the longstanding collaboration between AALTO, NTT DOCOMO, and Space Compass, with a shared vision to establish a Space Integrated Computing Network. This collaboration, initiated in 2022, lays the groundwork for deeper engagement in Japan and Asia in the years to come.

While Airbus Defence and Space retains its majority shareholder status in AALTO, the consortium’s investment underscores a shared commitment to harnessing HAPS technology for sustainable connectivity and earth observation solutions. With a strategic blend of technological expertise and global reach, AALTO is poised to capitalize on the vast growth opportunities in connectivity and earth observation markets, while driving substantial value for stakeholders.

As AALTO embarks on its next phase of development, including the launch of customer missions and advancing certification processes, the investment marks a pivotal milestone in realizing the vision of sustainable connectivity and earth observation from the stratosphere.

About NTT DOCOMO

NTT DOCOMO, Japan’s leading mobile operator with over 89 million subscriptions, is one of the world’s foremost contributors to 3G, 4G and 5G mobile network technologies. Beyond core communications services, DOCOMO is challenging new frontiers in collaboration with a growing number of entities (“+d” partners), creating exciting and convenient value-added services that change the way people live and work. Under a medium-term plan toward 2020 and beyond, DOCOMO is pioneering a leading-edge 5G network to facilitate innovative services that will amaze and inspire customers beyond their expectations. https://www.docomo.ne.jp/english/

About Space Compass

Space Compass is a joint venture company between NTT, Japanese Information and Communications Technology (ICT) leader, and SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, Asia’s largest satellite operator. We will launch a Space Integrated Computing Network to aid the realization of a sustainable society. For more information, visit our corporate website, https://space-compass.com/en/

About AALTO

AALTO, a subsidiary of Airbus, is a global leader in connectivity and earth observation services from the stratosphere. Based in Farnborough, UK, the Company designs, manufactures and offers services using its record-breaking Zephyr High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS). Powered by solar energy and operating above 60,000+ feet, Zephyr’s persistence enables continuous flight for months at a time. Its current flight-time record is over 64 days in the stratosphere. As a payload agnostic platform, Zephyr can deliver several applications, including low-latency 5G direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity and high-quality earth observation services. Those solutions will deliver for several markets including mobile greenfield connectivity, disaster management, border protection, and precision agriculture. For further information, please visit www.aaltohaps.com.

About Airbus

Airbus pioneers sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world. The Company constantly innovates to provide efficient and technologically-advanced solutions in aerospace, defence, and connected services. In commercial aircraft, Airbus designs and manufactures modern and fuel-efficient airliners and associated services. Airbus is also a European leader in space systems, defence and security. In helicopters, Airbus provides efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions and services worldwide.

Media Contacts:

Airbus
Beatriz Lozano
External Communications – Airbus Defence and Space
Phone: +34 651 862 435
beatriz.lozano-mendez@airbus.com

NTT DOCOMO
Brand Communication
Phone: +81 3 5156 1366
global_pr@nttdocomo.com

Space Compass
PR team
Phone: +81 3 3669 5415
sc_pr@space-compass.com

AALTO
Theo Davies-Lewis
AALTO Communications
Phone: +44 4840 29567
theo.davies-lewis@aaltohaps.com

SOURCE: Airbus