The Japanese subsidiary HAPSMobile, Inc of SoftBank Corp. along with its partner AeroVironment, Inc. announced their new operations center at New Mexico’s Spaceport America on June 11.
The focus of the companies is on the developing of an unmanned solar-powered High-Altitude Platform Station (HAPS). Referred to as a cell-tower in the sky it is designed to improve communications in under-served areas.
Sandy Jones Contractor firm of New Mexico took on the $8 million project consisting of 500 x 4,000 foot of runway, a paved facility of seven acres, an 80×300 foot membrane hangar, and running the entirety of the primary power and necessary communication lines. The completely New Mexican team finished the projects in under for months with 65 local contractors.
“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 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 points to the Governor’s office and state agencies for having given speedy approvals in support of the project allowing for it to be completed with the timeline and budget planned.
Release Courtesy to Spaceport America
