Imagine being able to track any Bluetooth-enabled device, anywhere on the planet — even the middle of the ocean or remote mountains — using just a tiny chip and a satellite in low Earth orbit. That’s what Seattle-based startup Hubble Network is building, and their newest upgrade makes that idea a whole lot more real.
Here’s what’s happening.
A New Kind of Bluetooth Network, From Space
Hubble Network is turning heads in the satellite industry, and for good reason: their goal is to create a “true Bluetooth layer around the Earth.” Not just hotspots in cities. Not just signal towers on highways. We’re talking full, global coverage — from satellites.
Pretty wild, right?
Photo by Milad Fakurian on Unsplash
Back in 2024, Hubble made headlines after it became the first company to connect a standard Bluetooth chip directly to a satellite. That connection didn’t require specialized hardware — just an updated piece of firmware on the device’s existing Bluetooth chipset. It was a breakthrough moment that opened up space-to-Earth Bluetooth in a way that’s never been done before.
And now, Hubble is getting ready to scale that vision in a big way.
The Upgrade: Two New Satellites, Massive Performance Gains
Teaming up with Muon Space, another fast-rising space-tech firm out of San Jose, Hubble’s next big leap involves launching two powerful new satellites in 2027. These aren’t your average cubesats. Called MuSat XL, they’re much larger — around 500 kilograms — and they come packing some serious tech.
These MuSat XL spacecraft will carry a next-gen phased-array Bluetooth receiver built by Hubble. According to CEO Alex Haro, this new payload can detect Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signals at 30 times lower power than what’s possible today. That has two huge implications:
- Devices will need far less battery power to “ping” the satellite.
- Those devices could last significantly longer — which is a big deal for sensors and trackers that are hard to access or replace.
Plus, with just the first two satellites, Hubble expects to achieve a 12-hour global revisit time. That means no matter where your device is on the planet, it could make contact with the network at least twice a day.
What This Means for Businesses
Unlike consumer platforms like Apple’s Find My network, Hubble is building this for enterprise use. Think logistics, infrastructure, and even defense — sectors where real-time tracking in hard-to-reach places could change how supply chains, fleets, and missions are managed.
Here’s what makes it attractive:
- Companies don’t need to install towers or ground stations.
- Devices don’t need bulky satellite modems — just basic Bluetooth chips and Hubble’s firmware.
- Coverage is global, not just in cellular zones.
So, a transport company could put a BLE tracker on every shipping container and know where it is, day and night, no matter where in the world it’s floating.
Scaling Fast, Thanks to Muon’s Manufacturing Push
Hubble wants to grow its satellite constellation from seven spacecraft today to 60 by 2028. To get there, it’s relying on Muon Space’s scalable approach.
Muon isn’t just building Hubble’s satellites — it’s building an entire space-as-a-service platform. They design, assemble, and operate satellites for clients using an integrated stack called Halo. That lets partners like Hubble focus on their specific tech (in this case, Bluetooth payloads), while Muon handles launch readiness and satellite operations.
And they’re scaling fast. By 2027, Muon aims to produce over 500 spacecraft a year at its new San Jose facility. Hubble is Muon’s first customer using the MuSat XL platform, and both companies see this as just the beginning.
Zooming Out: Why This All Matters
Space tech is often flashy, but sometimes the biggest impact comes from the quiet, behind-the-scenes innovations. Hubble isn’t launching rockets or streaming HD images from orbit. They’re doing something less visible — but potentially more powerful — by linking the most basic wireless tech we all use (Bluetooth) to the vastness of space.
It’s not just about better tracking or longer battery life. It’s about making our world more connected, in places we never thought possible.
So next time you open your Bluetooth settings, remember this: We might soon live on a planet where that little symbol talks to the stars.
Keywords: Bluetooth satellite, Hubble Network, Muon Space, BLE tracking, global connectivity, space-based Bluetooth, asset tracking, low Earth orbit, satellite manufacturing, Bluetooth Low Energy, phased-array receiver.
