You probably have a Bluetooth device that you use with your smartphone, such as headphones, speaker, smart watch or similar. The problem is that the operating range is short, a few tens of meters, or so we thought. Hubble Networka technology startup, managed to connect to a Satellite 600 kilometers across Bluetooth.
The Bluetooth of our mobile phone has an operating range of between 20 and 50 meters in the presence of obstacles (such as a wall). Theoretically, in open spaces it can be something more, although the distances are usually quite short. Indeed, it is a technology designed for transfers over short distances.
Spatial communication via Bluetooth
Hubble Network, a small startup, sought an alternative for connecting and communicating with satellites. They didn’t want to develop new technology, but rather use existing technology that everyone has. The company chose to use Bluetooth and was the first to connect to a satellite 600 kilometers away using this mechanism.
To connect to the satellite, they emphasized that a simple update he firmware From the device Terrestrial Bluetooth. The idea of the Hubble Network is to develop a network of satellites that communicate using this technology.
The company currently has two satellites in orbit equipped with 3.5mm Bluetooth chips. During testing, they communicated with Earth using this technology. This means significantly increasing the connectivity capacity of this currently quite limited technology. Plus, they didn’t have to develop any special chip, they just updated the firmware of the device and that’s it.
I suppose any smartphone in the world could connect to a satellite with a simple update. To receive these signals, the satellites mount a phased array antenna patented by the company. This system works as if it were a magnifying glass for Bluetooth signals in both directions.
These satellites must take into account the Doppler effect which modulates their radio frequencies. This effect occurs due to the high flight speeds when in orbit. The company appears to have resolved this and other issues, which is an important step.
The idea of this orbital network is to be able to be used in the IoT segment with Bluetooth technology, making it cheaper and less energy intensive, as well as improving accessibility to these networks.
It could be used for endless things, like monitoring oil bases from a base of operations hundreds of miles away, managing wind turbines, controlling remote supply networks, and more. Even for the home segment, allowing you to connect to CCTV cameras without having to depend on WiFi or internet connection on your mobile.
Initial phase of the project
As we mentioned, the company only has two satellites in orbit. It plans to launch two more, which will be deployed on two different SpaceX missions before February 2025. Additionally, Hubble Network already has several customers in the beta phase.
The alpha constellation will not be completed until the first quarter of 2026 and will consist of 32 satellites. Such a constellation should allow connectivity for 2 to 3 hours per day. The end goal is to generate a complete and uninterrupted connection network enabling the connection of “one billion devices” as explained in the first fundraising phase.
We are in the first phase of the project, but it looks really impressive. The company seems to have developed great technological advances and great success. We’ll see how things develop, but it looks like they’re on the right track.
