The Hubble Network has set an ambitious goal of creating a global satellite network capable of connecting to all Bluetooth devices.
Hubble Network, a Seattle-based startup, has announced its grand ambition to build a global satellite network that can link with every Bluetooth device. Recently, they demonstrated that this goal is achievable, despite initial skepticism from experts. In the near future, Hubble Network plans to expand its network to enhance both the capability and frequency of satellite flights.
Accordingly, the company has just announced a breakthrough: for the first time in history, a Bluetooth connection has been established directly with space. This marks a significant step towards realizing the goal of creating a global satellite network that any Bluetooth-enabled device can access.
Earlier this year, Hubble launched its first two satellites into orbit through SpaceX’s Transporter-10 shared flight mission, which departed from Vandenberg Space Force Base on the central coast of California. Since then, the company has successfully received signals from a simple 3.5mm Bluetooth chip from a distance of 600 km.
Hubble Network’s global satellite network capable of linking with all Bluetooth devices.
Despite facing skepticism, particularly regarding the challenges that Bluetooth devices often encounter when connecting to nearby devices, Hubble Network has demonstrated that such criticisms are unfounded. Alex Haro, co-founder and CEO of Hubble Network, emphasized: “Proving the ability to send signals from Bluetooth chips and receive them from space at a distance of 600 km has ushered in a new era with countless possibilities.”
According to the company, connecting any common Bluetooth device to Hubble’s satellite network via a software update, even without mobile signal, can provide global coverage with 20 times lower power consumption and 50 times lower operational costs. This opens up unlimited development potential for applications utilizing existing sensors, achieving energy savings and low costs without the need for special space hardware.
Hubble was founded in 2021 by Haro, co-founder of Life360, along with Ben Wild, founder of Iotera, and John Kim, an aerospace engineer. Initially, when the idea of connecting Bluetooth chips to satellites was proposed, Haro dismissed it as too crazy, especially based on his previous experience trying to develop a GPS watch for children. However, tackling this challenge eventually became too enticing, particularly as traditional networks and current satellites often fall short, struggling with poor coverage in remote areas, excessive energy consumption, and high operational costs globally.
