- Hubble Network is upgrading its satellite hardware to detect Bluetooth signals using 30x less power, launching in 2027.
- The new phased-array receiver will fly on two MuSat XL satellites built by Muon Space, a fast-scaling aerospace startup.
- Enterprises will be able to connect devices to the satellite network with a simple firmware update, no new hardware needed.
- Hubble aims to operate 60 satellites by 2028, forming a Bluetooth Low Energy network covering the entire planet.
Hubble Network, the Seattle-based space tech startup, is preparing for a significant leap forward in its effort to bring Bluetooth connectivity to every corner of the planet.
The company announced it is upgrading its satellite hardware with a powerful new phased-array receiver, paving the way for what it calls a “true Bluetooth layer around the Earth.”
This upgrade will ride aboard two large MuSat XL satellites, built by up-and-coming aerospace firm Muon Space, and is set to launch in 2027.
If successful, this innovation could revolutionize global asset tracking for enterprises across logistics, infrastructure, defense, and more.
Unlocking Global Bluetooth with Lower Power
What makes this leap so significant is not just global reach, it’s efficiency. The new phased-array receivers onboard the MuSat XL satellites will be able to detect Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signals at 30 times lower power than current satellite systems.
This would allow BLE-enabled devices, think smart sensors, logistics tags, and industrial monitors, to connect directly with satellites without draining their batteries. Longer-lasting batteries mean fewer replacements and lower costs, particularly in remote or hard-to-access locations.
According to Hubble, these two satellites will provide a 12-hour global revisit time and form the backbone of what it calls the BLE Finding Network, targeted specifically at enterprise use cases.
A Game-Changing Business Model
Hubble first made history in 2024 when it became the first company to establish a Bluetooth connection directly between a satellite and a standard device on Earth. That breakthrough allowed the company to offer satellite-powered tracking without requiring customers to buy specialized or bulky hardware.
Instead, all that’s needed is a firmware integration into existing Bluetooth chipsets—turning ordinary devices into satellite-connected trackers. It’s a developer-friendly, infrastructure-light solution with wide appeal to industries that rely on asset visibility but lack connectivity in remote locations.
Currently, Hubble operates seven satellites in orbit, with a roadmap to deploy a total of 60 by 2028. CEO Alex Haro confirmed that the company plans to transition the entire fleet to the more powerful MuSat XL platform, citing both performance gains and scalability.
Partnering with Muon Space for Scalable Growth
Hubble’s choice to partner with Muon Space is a strategic one. Founded just four years ago, Muon is quickly becoming a serious player in the satellite industry. Its MuSat XL platform is a 500-kilogram-class spacecraft capable of delivering multi-kilowatt power to payloads, high-volume data downlinks, optical crosslinks, and near real-time communication, features ideal for both commercial and government applications.
With a fresh $146 million funding round secured, Muon is building out a new production facility in San Jose capable of manufacturing over 500 satellites annually by 2027. That scale is crucial for Hubble’s ambitions, and Haro notes that Muon’s ability to scale fast was a key reason for the partnership.
Space-as-a-Service: Letting Startups Focus on Payloads
One of the key enablers behind this collaboration is Muon’s vertically integrated approach, known as “space-as-a-service.” Under this model, Muon designs, builds, and operates the satellites, while customers, such as Hubble, focus solely on developing their specific payloads, in this case, the BLE network.
This division of labor reduces complexity and cost, especially for companies not interested in building satellite hardware themselves. It’s a model that’s growing in popularity, as more startups seek space-based capabilities without the need to manage spacecraft from end to end.
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