Legendary Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, now 95 years old, is once again making history—this time, by planting a Verizon flag instead of an American one. In a new commercial for Verizon’s satellite service, Aldrin teams up with Paul Marcarelli, the original “Can you hear me now?” spokesman, to introduce a new era of connectivity that eliminates cell service dead zones.
🌍 Connecting the Unreachable: Aldrin’s Role in Verizon’s Ad
🔹 Aldrin wears a silver jacket adorned with the Apollo 11 mission patch while demonstrating the power of Verizon’s new satellite-backed text messaging.
🔹 He visits remote locations, from deserts and snow-covered mountains to deep wilderness areas, testing Verizon’s satellite-powered messaging service.
🔹 His final test message loops around the Moon, where a spacesuited Marcarelli receives the text, humorously responding, “That’s my line.”
“Fifty-six years ago, I was one of the select few that made it into space and the first team to help America conquer the moon,” Aldrin said in Verizon’s statement. “Back then, space was the great unknown, and now we’ve never been closer to it. It’s remarkable to see how far the human race — and technology — has come.”
📡 How Verizon’s Satellite Service Works
Verizon’s new satellite-powered service extends connectivity to areas previously without coverage.
🔹 Compatible Phones: Select Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S25 models.
🔹 How It Works: Devices must be outdoors with a clear line of sight to satellites from Viasat, Echostar, and Skylo.
🔹 Coverage: Expands Verizon’s already 99% U.S. coverage, ensuring texting in emergency situations.
🔹 Limitations: May not work in some parts of Alaska.
Additionally, Verizon has a $100 million deal with AST SpaceMobile, which recently received FCC approval to test direct-to-cell satellite service. Unlike current satellite texting solutions, AST’s system aims to support voice calls, video streaming, and full data connectivity—without requiring specialized devices.
🚀 The Next Step for Satellite Communication
Verizon is not alone in the race to expand space-based cellular coverage:
✅ AST SpaceMobile is also working with AT&T for satellite-powered mobile networks.
✅ T-Mobile has partnered with SpaceX to use Starlink’s direct-to-cell capabilities.
“That’s one giant leap for connectivity,” Aldrin declares in the commercial—echoing his iconic words from the 1969 Moon landing.
📺 Aldrin’s History in Advertising
This is not Aldrin’s first commercial appearance. Over the years, he has lent his astronautical fame to:
🔹 IBM & YouTube TV (2019)
🔹 Quaker Oats (2016)
🔹 Switzerland Tourism (2015)
🔹 Volkswagen Beetle (1972) – comparing its computer diagnostics to the Apollo 11 guidance system
In 1987, Aldrin also joined Mercury astronauts Scott Carpenter and Gordon Cooper in advertising the Commodore Amiga 500 home computer.
📡 The Future of Space-Based Connectivity
As telecommunications companies push satellite-powered mobile networks, Aldrin’s involvement in the Verizon campaign highlights how technology has evolved—from the Apollo missions to eliminating cellular dead zones.
With direct-to-cell satellite tech on the rise, the question “Can you hear me now?” may soon be a thing of the past—even on the far side of the Moon. 🚀📱
