Hubble Network’s satellite-powered Bluetooth network is getting a major upgrade. The Seattle-based startup, which aims to provide enterprises with capabilities similar to Apple’s FindMy for consumers, has developed a powerful new phased-array receiver. This technology will enable what Hubble CEO Alex Haro describes as a “true Bluetooth layer around the Earth.” The advanced payload will be carried by two large new satellites from Muon Space, called MuSat XL, set to launch in 2027.
The first two MuSat XL satellites will offer a 12-hour global revisit time and detect Bluetooth Low Energy signals at 30 times lower power than current systems. If successful, this could significantly extend battery life for tracking tags and sensors on Earth. These satellites will serve as the foundation of Hubble’s BLE Finding Network, catering to industries such as logistics, infrastructure, and defense.
In 2024, Hubble made history by becoming the first company to establish a direct Bluetooth connection to a satellite. The startup’s approach is straightforward: customers only need to integrate their device chipsets with a piece of firmware to connect to the Hubble network, eliminating the need for specialized hardware.
The space-based network promises global coverage, including remote areas, and provides a developer-friendly solution for asset tracking without additional infrastructure. Hubble currently operates seven satellites, with plans to expand to 60 by 2028. The long-term goal is to upgrade the entire constellation to larger platform buses for enhanced power and performance.
Hubble’s partnership with Muon Space is key to its ambitious timeline. Muon’s ability to scale manufacturing quickly, supported by a recent $146 million funding round, will help meet this goal. Muon Space’s San Jose production facility is being expanded to produce over 500 spacecraft annually by 2027.
Hubble is the first customer for Muon’s 500-kilogram MuSat XL platform, which offers multi-kilowatt power, optical crosslinks, high-volume downlink, and near real-time communications for time-sensitive missions. The collaboration also reflects Muon’s push for more defense contracts, as the XL platform aligns with the Space Development Agency’s missile defense constellation plans.
Muon operates on a space-as-a-service model, designing, building, and operating satellites with its vertically integrated Halo stack. This allows companies like Hubble to focus on payload development while Muon handles satellite architecture and operations.