MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - Muon Space, a provider of end-to-end space systems specializing in mission-optimized satellite constellations, has introduced its most capable satellite platform, MuSat XL, a high-performance 500 kg-class spacecraft designed for the most demanding next-generation low Earth orbit (LEO) missions. Muon also announced its first customer for the XL Platform: Hubble Network, a Seattle-based space-tech pioneer building the world's first satellite-powered Bluetooth network.
The XL Platform delivers a dramatically expanded capability tier to the flight-proven Halo stack – delivering more power, agility, and integration flexibility while preserving the speed, scalability and cost-effectiveness needed for constellation deployment. Optimized for Earth observation (EO) and telecommunications missions supporting commercial and national security customers that require multi-payload operations, extreme data throughput, high-performance intersatellite networking, and cutting-edge attitude control and pointing, the XL Platform sets a new industry benchmark for mission performance and value.
Jonny Dyer, CEO of Muon Space, said, "XL is more than a bigger bus – it's a true enabler for customers pushing the boundaries of what's possible in orbit, like Hubble. Their transformative BLE technology represents the future of space-based services and we are ecstatic to enable their mission with the XL Platform and our Halo stack."
In 2024, Hubble became the first company to establish a Bluetooth connection directly to a satellite, fueling global IoT growth. Using MuSat XL, it will deploy a next-generation BLE payload featuring a phased-array antenna and a receiver 20 times more powerful than its CubeSat predecessor, enabling BLE detection at 30 times lower power and direct connectivity for ultra-low-cost, energy-efficient devices worldwide. MuSat XL's large payload accommodation, multi-kW power system, and cutting-edge networking and communications capabilities are key enablers for advanced services like Hubble's.
The first two MuSat XL satellites will provide a 12-hour global revisit time, with a scalable design for faster coverage. Hubble's BLE Finding Network supports critical applications in logistics, infrastructure, defense, and consumer technology.
MuSat XL is built for operators who need real capability – more power, larger apertures, more flexibility, and more agility – and with the speed to orbit and reliability that Muon has already demonstrated with its other platforms in orbit since 2023. Built on the foundation of Muon's heritage 200 kg MuSat architecture, MuSat XL is a 500 kg-class bus that extends the Halo technology stack's performance envelope to enable high-impact, real-time missions.
Key capabilities include:
1 kW+ orbit average payload power – Supporting advanced sensors, phased arrays, and edge computing applications.
Seamless, internet-standards based, high bandwidth, low latency communications, and optical crosslink networking – Extremely high volume downlink (>5 TB / day) and near real-time communications for time-sensitive operations critical for defense, disaster response, and dynamic tasking.
Flexible onboard interface, network, compute – Muon's PayloadCore architecture enables rapid hardware/software integration of payloads and deployment of cloud-like workflows to onboard network, storage, and compute.
Precise, stable, and agile pointing – Attitude control architected for the rigorous needs of next-generation EO and RF payloads.
In the competitive small satellite market, MuSat XL offers standout advantages in payload volume, power availability, and integration flexibility – making it a versatile backbone for advanced sensors, communications systems, and compute-intensive applications. The platform is built for scale: modular, manufacturable, and fully integrated with Muon's vertically developed stack, from custom instrument design to full mission operations via the Halo technology stack.
