Mule Cube Sat
Global Reach
Send Messages From Anywhere on Earth
The Mule Cube Sat includes a satellite modem that connects to the Iridium network — satellites that cover every point on the planet. Middle of the ocean, remote wilderness, polar regions — if you can see the sky, you can send a message.
What Makes It Unique
This isn’t just a satellite messenger. It’s a bridge between your local radio network and the outside world.
Your Radio → Local Mesh → Mule Cube Sat → Satellite → Email/SMS Anywhere
Your team communicates via long-range radios locally. When someone needs to reach the outside world, their message goes through the Cube to satellite, arriving as email or SMS on the other end. Incoming messages flow back to the radio network.
No other product does this.
What’s Included
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Satellite Modem | RockBLOCK 9603 (Iridium network) |
| Satellite Antenna | Professional-grade SMA antenna |
| Long-Range Radio | For local mesh communication (several km range) |
| Bridge Electronics | Custom circuit connecting radio ↔ satellite |
| Base System | Everything from the standard Mule Cube |
| USB Output | 2× USB-A 5V ports (charge your phone) |
| Case | Compact aluminum (100 × 91 × 63mm), ~500g |
Satellite Capabilities
- Send messages — Up to 340 characters per message
- Receive messages — Incoming messages delivered to your radio network
- Global coverage — Works anywhere on Earth (Iridium constellation)
- GPS tracking — Automatic position reports at configurable intervals
- Emergency SOS — Distress signal with coordinates
Running Costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Monthly line rental | ~€14/month (keeps modem active) |
| Per message | ~€0.10 (varies by size) |
| Typical usage (20 messages/day) | ~€75/month total |
You need a Rock Seven account for satellite service. No long-term contract — pause or cancel anytime.
How Is This Different From a Garmin inReach?
| Feature | Garmin inReach | Mule Cube Sat |
|---|---|---|
| Personal satellite messenger | Yes | Yes |
| Bridges entire radio network to satellite | No | Yes |
| Offline Wikipedia | No | Yes |
| AI assistant | No | Yes |
| Offline maps | No | Yes |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Subscription lock-in | Yes (Garmin plan) | No (Rock Seven, flexible) |
Garmin inReach is a personal device. Mule Cube Sat is a base station that serves your entire team — and happens to have satellite capability.
Operational Modes
- Radio-Satellite Bridge — Automatically relay messages between local radio mesh and satellite
- GPS Tracker — Send position reports at regular intervals
- Emergency Beacon — SOS function with coordinates
- Store & Forward — Batch messages to reduce satellite costs
- Weather Station — With optional sensors
More Than an Offline Server
MuleCube is built on Raspberry Pi 5 — the world’s most versatile mini-computer with 68 million units deployed globally. Swap the SD card to transform it into something completely different:
- — Retro gaming console — Play thousands of classic games
- — Full desktop PC — Browse, write documents, check email
- — Media center — Stream your movie collection to any TV
- — Marine navigation — Full chartplotter with OpenPlotter
One purchase. Endless possibilities. Learn more →
Optional: Weatherproof Enclosure
+€79
IP65-rated housing for marine, mobile, or outdoor installations. We assemble and test your Mule Cube inside the enclosure before shipping.
- IP65 ingress protection
- 170 × 140 × 100 mm enclosure
- Pre-drilled for USB, Ethernet, antennas
- Wall-mountable
- Ideal for boats, vehicles, outdoor use
Select this option when registering interest and we'll include it in your order.