SoftBank + Spaceport

June 18, 2020 – HAPSMobile, Inc., a subsidiary of Japan’s telecommunications operator SoftBank Corp., and its partner AeroVironment, Inc. announced new operations center at Spaceport America in New Mexico on June 11.

The companies are developing an unmanned solar-powered High-Altitude Platform Station (HAPS).The stratospheric telecommunications platform, a so-called cell-tower in the sky, is designed to provide better communications to under-served areas, including rural communities

New Mexico-based construction firm Sandy Jones Contractor was tasked to build the $8 million project at Spaceport America. The project consisted of a 500 x 4,000 foot earthen runway, a seven-acre paved facility, an 80 x 300-foot membrane hangar, and running all the primary power and communication lines needed for the company.

The New Mexico team was able to turn the entire project around in less than four months, employing all local contractors – 65 in total.

“This was one of the largest projects ever built in Sierra County,” said Jones. “Not only did we only use New Mexico workers, all the materials were sourced locally as well. This was a huge boost to our local economy – especially when we’ve been hit so hard with the COVID-19 pandemic. What people don’t understand about the Spaceport, is that this is just one of the several projects currently underway there.”

“This project alone will generate $500,000 in gross receipts tax, and that is huge in this time when our local economy is struggling.”

Jones credits the support his company received from the Governor’s office and various state agencies in having the approvals done in a timely fashion so the project could be completed on time and on budget.