The ST1 mission reached Japanese airspace on September 1, 2026, operating at an altitude of approximately 16.5 kilometers. During the test, the craft maintained a station-seeking radius as tight as 5 kilometers while integrating with SoftBank Corp.’s core network. This allowed for standard mobile functions, including voice calls, video streaming, and emergency alert messaging, demonstrating a potential alternative to terrestrial infrastructure.

Beyond basic connectivity, the flight achieved a technical breakthrough by hosting a server directly on the platform. This onboard processing yielded a 68-millisecond round-trip response time, cutting communication latency by over 40% compared to traditional cloud-based processing. The test confirmed that a single Sceye unit could theoretically provide coverage equivalent to 500 terrestrial base stations. Both companies view this as a critical step toward integrating stratospheric platforms into global 6G and AI-driven communication networks, positioning the technology as a scalable tool for disaster response and rural connectivity.