The disclosed method for a communication satellite may include (1) simultaneously generating a first transmission beam to a first ground station and a second transmission beam to each of a plurality of second ground stations in sequence according to a schedule, (2) simultaneously receiving a third transmission beam from the first ground station and a fourth transmission beam from each of the second ground stations in sequence according to the schedule, (3) forwarding first data received via the third transmission beam to each of the second ground stations via the second transmission beam, and (4) forwarding second data received via the fourth transmission beam from each of the second ground stations to the first ground station via the first transmission beam. Various other methods and systems are also disclosed.

The disclosed method for a communication satellite may include (1) simultaneously generating a first transmission beam to a first ground station and a second transmission beam to each of a plurality of second ground stations in sequence according to a schedule, (2) simultaneously receiving a third transmission beam from the first ground station and a fourth transmission beam from each of the second ground stations in sequence according to the schedule, (3) forwarding first data received via the third transmission beam to each of the second ground stations via the second transmission beam, and (4) forwarding second data received via the fourth transmission beam from each of the second ground stations to the first ground station via the first transmission beam. Various other methods and systems are also disclosed.

There is disclosed a flight control system, the flight control system including a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) and a ground-based control centre, wherein the RPA and the ground-based control centre are configured to communicate using a plurality of different communication systems, wherein the RPA includes a computer system configured to determine operation risk, wherein the computer system receives input from the ground-based control centre for use in the determination of operation risk, wherein the computer system is configured to select a communication system from the plurality of different communication systems, and to use the selected communication system for communication between the RPA and the ground-based control centre, based on the determined operation risk.

There is disclosed a flight control system, the flight control system including a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) and a ground-based control centre, wherein the RPA and the ground-based control centre are configured to communicate using a plurality of different communication systems, wherein the RPA includes a computer system configured to determine operation risk, wherein the computer system receives input from the ground-based control centre for use in the determination of operation risk, wherein the computer system is configured to select a communication system from the plurality of different communication systems, and to use the selected communication system for communication between the RPA and the ground-based control centre, based on the determined operation risk.

A communications system for line-of-sight (LOS) and beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communications using a single aperture includes one or more operators positioned within an environment, wherein each operator includes a common aperture, one or more low-earth orbit satellites communicatively coupled to a plurality of communications sub-systems disposed on the operators. In one embodiment, the communications sub-systems may include a first antenna element to transmit and receive first radio frequency signals along a first directional link via the common aperture. In another embodiment, the communications sub-systems may include a second antenna element to transmit and receive second radio frequency signals along a second directional link via the common aperture.

A communications system for line-of-sight (LOS) and beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communications using a single aperture includes one or more operators positioned within an environment, wherein each operator includes a common aperture, one or more low-earth orbit satellites communicatively coupled to a plurality of communications sub-systems disposed on the operators. In one embodiment, the communications sub-systems may include a first antenna element to transmit and receive first radio frequency signals along a first directional link via the common aperture. In another embodiment, the communications sub-systems may include a second antenna element to transmit and receive second radio frequency signals along a second directional link via the common aperture.

A multi-user satellite system provides communication services to external satellites. This satellite system provides in-orbit access points that can be used by the external satellites to offload data instead on relying directly on ground stations. One approach to such communication is to use a set of interface satellites (“converter satellites”) that provide a gateway between a constellation of satellites that together provide communication services to one or more ground stations, but that do not necessarily have the communication capabilities to communicate with external satellites. In this way, the interface satellites can be put in compatible orbits with external satellites and provide communication gateways that can be used to offload data from the external satellites to ground stations. As external satellites change their communication methods, the interface satellites can be reconfigured or new compatible interface satellites can be launched, without having to modify the constellation of satellites.

A multi-user satellite system provides communication services to external satellites. This satellite system provides in-orbit access points that can be used by the external satellites to offload data instead on relying directly on ground stations. One approach to such communication is to use a set of interface satellites (“converter satellites”) that provide a gateway between a constellation of satellites that together provide communication services to one or more ground stations, but that do not necessarily have the communication capabilities to communicate with external satellites. In this way, the interface satellites can be put in compatible orbits with external satellites and provide communication gateways that can be used to offload data from the external satellites to ground stations. As external satellites change their communication methods, the interface satellites can be reconfigured or new compatible interface satellites can be launched, without having to modify the constellation of satellites.

A satellite communication system with software defined network orchestration. Implementations include a route management function (RMF) that receives link status from the satellites and determines simple routing tables which are uploaded to the satellites. The routing tables allow the satellites to route data based on a satellite ID placed in a data header to reduce the memory and computing load on satellite resources. Further, implementations include secure user terminal (UT) to UT IP routing in the constellation for direct UT to UT communication. The satellite communication system may combine the benefits of Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite systems into an MEO-LEO satellite system.

A satellite communication system with software defined network orchestration. Implementations include a route management function (RMF) that receives link status from the satellites and determines simple routing tables which are uploaded to the satellites. The routing tables allow the satellites to route data based on a satellite ID placed in a data header to reduce the memory and computing load on satellite resources. Further, implementations include secure user terminal (UT) to UT IP routing in the constellation for direct UT to UT communication. The satellite communication system may combine the benefits of Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite systems into an MEO-LEO satellite system.