Sceye
Sceye is a material science and aerospace company that develops solar- and battery-powered stratospheric airships (HAPS) to deliver direct-to-cellphone broadband connectivity and real-time Earth observation services to telecom operators, government agencies, and environmental monitoring customers globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersMoriarty, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Sceye does
Sceye is a material science and aerospace company headquartered in Moriarty, New Mexico, founded in 2014 by Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen. The company designs and operates High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS): solar- and battery-powered, helium-filled stratospheric airships (the SE2 vehicle) that fly between 60,000 and 65,000 feet for extended durations. Its proprietary stack combines a graphene-based hull fabric (claimed 5x stronger and 1,500x more gas-tight than alternatives), 425 Wh/kg lithium-sulphur batteries that close the day-night power loop, lamination-optimized solar cells (53% lighter), and an integrated avionics/sensor suite. This platform hosts two primary service lines: (i) Sceye Connectivity Services — direct-to-cellphone broadband and network backhaul delivered via the proprietary SceyeCELL stratospheric telecom antenna with 2-D beamforming and motion compensation; and (ii) Sceye Earth Observation Services — real-time methane, wildfire, maritime, and environmental monitoring using hyperspectral, infrared, optical, and radar payloads.
Sceye is pre-commercial but has assembled an anchor ecosystem of strategic and government customers, including SoftBank Corp. (exclusive Japan LTA-HAPS licensee and pre-commercial flight customer for 2026), Mawarid Holding Company (Saudi-based Series C lead, $525M pre-money valuation), América Móvil (Series B lead, Latin America focus), NASA (Space Act Agreement and $850K SBIR co-award with Spectral Sciences), USGS (CRADA), the U.S. EPA, and the New Mexico Environment Department. Revenue mechanics are not publicly disclosed; the implied model is a mix of managed-services contracts with telecom operators and government agencies for pre-commercial flights, government grants/SBIR funding, and future recurring subscription or data-product revenue from continuous Earth observation. Pricing is project- and quote-based, with go-to-market executed through enterprise field sales and exclusive regional licensing rather than self-serve channels.
Recent operational milestones validate the commercial roadmap: the first full diurnal stratospheric flight on renewable energy (August 2024), the first real-time methane detection from the stratosphere (2024–25), a record 12-day, 6,400-mile Endurance Program flight with 88+ hours of station-keeping (April 2026), and the launch of the SceyeCELL telecom antenna (February 2026). The company holds 51–100 employees, is privately held with founder/CEO Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen at the helm, and operates a wholly owned Swiss subsidiary (Sceye Tech GMBH, Zug). Headcount and customer count remain thin relative to commercial scale, and revenue has not yet been disclosed, but the combination of technical validation, tier-1 anchor customers, and aligned regulatory positioning (NASA-led high-altitude air traffic management work) supports a credible path from pre-commercial demonstrations to recurring service revenue beginning in 2026–2027.
Sceye firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sceye
- Legal name
- Sceye inc
- Website
- https://sceye.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Sceye is a material science and aerospace company that develops solar- and battery-powered stratospheric airships (HAPS) to deliver direct-to-cellphone broadband connectivity and real-time Earth observation services to telecom operators, government agencies, and environmental monitoring customers globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sceye industry classification
Industry- Product category
- High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) / Stratospheric Aerospace Infrastructure
- NAICS
- Satellite Telecommunications (51741)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Satellite Network Operations & Capacity Services (NOC, Capacity Leasing, Managed Payload Services) (HDAIAJAI)
Keywords
Where Sceye is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Moriarty
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Sceye business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Strategic investment (Series C funding): Series C funding round (first tranche) received from SoftBank Corp. as part of a broader round led by Mawarid Holding Company at a $525 million pre-money valuation. Capital supports R&D, flight programs, and entry into commercial operations.
- Pre-commercial HAPS services (telecommunications): Pre-commercial HAPS telecommunications services in Japan beginning 2026 with SoftBank Corp., under exclusive licensing arrangement for disaster recovery, emergency connectivity, and remote-area coverage. Pre-commercial test flights planned with full commercial operations targeted for 2027.
- Government / NASA SBIR funding: NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award of $850,000 jointly with Spectral Sciences, Inc. to develop real-time environmental and sustainable resource monitoring systems from the stratosphere.
- Future connectivity service / data monetization: Future revenue model based on direct-to-cell broadband connectivity (replacing terrestrial infrastructure at lower cost) and sale of persistent environmental monitoring / Earth observation data products for climate monitoring, methane detection, wildfire detection, vegetation dynamics, and natural resource management.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Sceye product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sceye designs, manufactures, and operates High-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) — solar- and battery-powered, helium-filled stratospheric airships that operate continuously at 60,000–65,000 feet. The company sells its HAPS platform together with connectivity services (direct-to-cell broadband and network backhaul via the SceyeCELL antenna) and Earth observation services (wildfire, methane, maritime, and environmental monitoring) to telecom operators, government agencies, and commercial partners.
Product overview
Sceye operates a single integrated stratospheric platform-plus-services architecture built around its solar- and battery-powered HAPS airship (the SE2 vehicle and successor platforms). The HAPS Platform is the foundational core product that operates at 60,000–65,000 ft for months to a year and hosts two principal service offerings: Sceye Connectivity Services (high-speed direct-to-cellphone broadband and backhaul enabled by the SceyeCELL stratospheric telecom antenna) and Sceye Earth Observation Services (real-time wildfire, methane, maritime, and environmental monitoring). Layered onto these is the Sceye × Spectral Sciences real-time environmental monitoring system, which adds hyperspectral sensing for pixel-level Earth observation. Together the platform, SceyeCELL, and the Spectral Sciences payload suite form a complete "stratospheric infrastructure" stack positioned between terrestrial networks and satellites.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SceyeCELL: First-of-its-kind custom-built stratospheric telecom antenna (a "cell tower in the sky") designed to bring high-speed connectivity at scale from the stratosphere, integrating cellular functionality, advanced beamforming, and real-time motion compensation for long-duration operations above 60,000 feet.
- SceyeCam
Products and services
- Sceye HAPS Platform (SE2 vehicle) Lighter-than-air, solar- and battery-powered stratospheric airship (current vehicle designated SE2) designed to operate continuously at 60,000–65,000 feet for months to a year. Built from a graphene-based hull fabric, 425 Wh/kg lithium-sulphur batteries, and 53%-lighter laminated flexible solar cells. Station-keeping radius demonstrated as low as ~1 km. Sold as the foundational platform underlying Sceye's connectivity and observation service offerings.
- SceyeCELL Stratospheric Telecom Antenna First-of-its-kind custom-built stratospheric antenna integrating full cellular functionality, real-time 2-D beamforming, and motion compensation for long-duration operation at -70°C above 60,000 feet. One platform provides coverage equivalent to 500 ground towers with stronger signal performance than LEO satellites. Designed for direct-to-cell broadband, emergency/disaster-response connectivity, and backhaul into terrestrial operator networks.
- Sceye Connectivity Services Direct-to-cellphone broadband and network backhaul connectivity delivered from the stratosphere using Sceye's HAPS-mounted SceyeCELL antenna. Designed for telecom operators to extend reach into rural, remote, mountainous, island, and disaster-affected areas at lower cost than ground or satellite alternatives. Targeted use cases include disaster recovery (earthquakes, storms), 6G-era NTN infrastructure, and rural/mobile broadband coverage for the ~2.5 billion unconnected people globally.
- Sceye Earth Observation Services Persistent, real-time Earth observation delivered from the stratosphere using hyperspectral, infrared, optical, and radar payloads on the HAPS platform. Applications include forest fire/land protection, wildfire risk modeling and pre-fire baseline mapping, maritime awareness (dark-vessel detection), industrial emissions monitoring (methane and greenhouse gases), vegetation dynamics, and natural resource management. Delivers continuous wide-area coverage replacing intermittent satellite revisit cycles.
Companies that use Sceye
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Sceye technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability8 records
Feature7 records
Sceye partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered technology / r&d tooling partner, industry partner on nasa initiative, major technology co-development partner, flagship strategic partner / exclusive japan licensee, prestige / recognition partner, major government partner and government partner.
- Luminary Cloudtechnology / r&d tooling partnerSceye is actively using Luminary's Physics AI platform (adopting NVIDIA GeoTransolver architecture) to accelerate design exploration for its next-generation stratospheric airship, achieving up to 10x greater prediction accuracy for CFD applications.
- Aerostarindustry partner on nasa initiativeCo-participant with NASA on developing a high-altitude air traffic management system for aircraft operating at 50,000 feet or higher. Enables real-time data sharing and conflict detection among operators during simulations that will inform future operations and regulations.
- Spectral Sciences, Inc.major technology co-development partnerJoint recipient of $850,000 NASA SBIR award to develop and launch a real-time environmental and sustainable resource monitoring system from the stratosphere. Pairs Sceye's long-duration HAPS with Spectral Sciences' advanced hyperspectral imaging sensors for pixel-level monitoring of wildfires, methane leaks, vegetation dynamics, volcanic plume events, geology, and resource optimization.
- SoftBank Corp.flagship strategic partner / exclusive japan licenseeStrategic investment as part of first tranche of Sceye's Series C funding (reported at $15 million). SoftBank gained exclusive rights to use Sceye's lighter-than-air HAPS platform in Japan, with pre-commercial HAPS services planned for 2026 (originally targeted for 2029, accelerated). SoftBank is also purchasing a HAPS pre-commercial Japan flight in 2026. Target use cases: disaster recovery (e.g., earthquakes), connectivity for mountainous regions and remote islands, 6G-era NTN infrastructure.
- The Explorers Clubprestige / recognition partnerSceye carried Explorers Club Flag #210 on the first-ever full diurnal stratospheric flight in 2024 — a historic 2024 Flag Expedition. The Flag was retired at The Explorers Club Annual Dinner (ECAD) in April 2025.
- NASAmajor government partnerSpace Act Agreement with NASA and cooperating R&D agreement with USGS. Joint purpose: enhance climate and environmental imaging, monitoring, and data collection from the stratosphere, including methane 'super emitter' detection, wildfire activity monitoring, storms, earthquakes, and extreme weather. Followed by $850,000 NASA SBIR award (with Spectral Sciences) in November 2025 and collaboration on high-altitude air traffic management.
- United States Geological Survey (USGS)major government partnerCooperating research and development agreement (CRADA) with Sceye to enhance climate and environmental imaging, monitoring, and data collection from the stratosphere using advanced hyperspectral imaging. Targets methane super-emitters, wildfire activity, storms, earthquakes, and other extreme weather events.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA)major government partnerFive-year program partnership to detect methane emissions across New Mexico. Together with New Mexico Environment Department, enabled the world's first real-time methane detection missions from the stratosphere in 2024, identifying super-emitters and smaller previously undetectable leaks in the Permian Basin.
- New Mexico Environment Department (NMED)government partnerCo-partner with U.S. EPA on five-year methane emissions detection program; co-led the world's first real-time methane detection missions from the stratosphere in 2024 over the Permian Basin.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Sceye competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Loon (Alphabet): Alphabet's now-shuttered Loon was the most prominent LTA stratospheric connectivity platform, using high-altitude balloons to deliver direct-to-smartphone broadband. While Loon wound down in 2021, it is the closest historical analogue to Sceye's lighter-than-air HAPS connectivity model, having proven commercial demand but struggled with unit economics.
- Airbus Defence and Space (Zephyr): Airbus Zephyr is a solar-powered, fixed-wing high-altitude pseudo-satellite (HAPS) designed for persistent stratospheric connectivity and Earth observation. It is the most direct competitor in the HAPS category, with Tier-1 aerospace backing and longer operational heritage than Sceye, though it competes in connectivity and ISR use cases against Sceye's lighter-than-air platform.
- BAE Systems (PHASA-35): BAE Systems' PHASA-35 is a solar-electric HAPS UAV designed for long-endurance stratospheric flight. It competes directly with Sceye in the high-altitude platform category with deep aerospace/defense backing, focusing on surveillance and connectivity payloads at altitudes comparable to Sceye's 60,000-65,000 ft operating envelope.
- Thales Alenia Space (Stratobus): Thales Alenia Space's Stratobus is a stratospheric autonomous airship concept designed for telecommunications, Earth observation, and surveillance applications. It is a direct LTA HAPS competitor to Sceye with established aerospace prime backing, targeting overlapping use cases including persistent connectivity and environmental monitoring.
- Raven Aerostar: Raven Aerostar designs and manufactures stratospheric balloon platforms (Thunderhead) for persistent communications and surveillance. It is both a competitor and a partner (Sceye is co-developing high-altitude air traffic management with NASA and Aerostar). Aerostar's lighter-than-air balloons target similar connectivity and ISR use cases.
- GHGSat: GHGSat operates a constellation of satellites dedicated to greenhouse gas and methane emissions monitoring, directly competing with Sceye's stratospheric methane detection service. It is the closest pure-play competitor in the methane emissions monitoring vertical and has established commercial traction with oil & gas and government customers.
Emerging players
- World View Enterprises: World View develops stratospheric balloon platforms for Earth observation and space tourism. Its remote sensing business competes with Sceye's Earth observation services in stratospheric-based persistent monitoring, though at a smaller operational scale and with different platform economics.
- AST SpaceMobile: AST SpaceMobile is building a space-based direct-to-cell broadband network targeting the same unconnected-population market Sceye addresses from the stratosphere. It is an emerging satellite-based competitor with major telecom operator partnerships (including Vodafone, AT&T) overlapping Sceye's target customer base.
Broad incumbents
- SpaceX Starlink: SpaceX's Starlink is the dominant LEO satellite broadband constellation providing global direct-to-cell and broadband connectivity. It is the primary indirect competitor to Sceye's connectivity services, particularly for rural and unconnected population use cases, with rapidly falling per-bit costs and proven global scale.
- Planet Labs: Planet Labs operates the largest commercial Earth observation satellite constellation, providing daily global imagery for agriculture, forestry, and climate monitoring. It is a broader incumbent in the persistent Earth observation market that Sceye's stratospheric platform also targets, with established commercial scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Sceye social profiles
Digital presenceSceye financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sceye leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Sceye subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Sceye funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sceye M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sceye
What does Sceye do?
Sceye designs, manufactures, and operates High-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) — solar- and battery-powered, helium-filled stratospheric airships that operate continuously at 60,000–65,000 feet. The company sells its HAPS platform together with connectivity services (direct-to-cell broadband and network backhaul via the SceyeCELL antenna) and Earth observation services (wildfire, methane, maritime, and environmental monitoring) to telecom operators, government agencies, and commercial partners.
Is Sceye a public or private company?
Sceye is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Sceye founded?
Sceye was founded in 2014. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Sceye based?
Sceye is headquartered in Moriarty, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sceye make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Strategic investment (Series C funding) is the primary driver. The others are pre-commercial HAPS services (telecommunications), government / NASA SBIR funding and future connectivity service / data monetization.
Who are Sceye's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Loon (Alphabet), Airbus Defence and Space (Zephyr), BAE Systems (PHASA-35), Thales Alenia Space (Stratobus), Raven Aerostar and GHGSat. Emerging players are World View Enterprises and AST SpaceMobile. Broad incumbents are SpaceX Starlink and Planet Labs.
Does Sceye have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sceye.
What industry is Sceye in?
Sceye's product category is High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) / Stratospheric Aerospace Infrastructure. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIAJAI, Satellite Network Operations & Capacity Services (NOC, Capacity Leasing, Managed Payload Services). Its NAICS code is 51741 and its SIC code is 3812.