Research Contract Concluded for Domestic HAPS

To respond to the improved jamming capabilities of neighboring countries and the growing communication needs of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, Japan's Ministry of Defense needs to build a multilayered, highly resilient satellite communications network extending from the stratosphere to low Earth orbit and geostationary orbit.

HAPS, or High Altitude Platform Stations, are communications infrastructure that remain airborne in the stratosphere, and understanding their feasibility and technical challenges for future domestic operations is central to this project.

HAPS is expected to be one means of accelerating communications and ensuring redundancy, particularly on remote islands and in isolated areas, as well as improving units' capability for mobile deployment.

Japan's Ministry of Defense states that, based on the Defense Guidelines for the Space Domain and other policies, it will work with private-sector operators to strengthen defense capabilities in the space domain.

The project is titled "Research Necessary for Domestic HAPS." The contract date is February 24, 2026 (Tuesday), and the counterparty is Space Compass Inc.

This project will examine technical, organizational, and institutional challenges involved in operating HAPS stably while responding to weather conditions over Japan. It will also assess feasibility and identify technical challenges.

Japan's Ministry of Defense states that it will undertake these efforts based on the Defense Guidelines for the Space Domain issued in July 2025 and other policies.