Variable playback rate of streaming content for uninterrupted handover in a communication system

A media playback system of a craft, comprising:

• a memory comprising computer-executable code;
• a media buffer;
• a transceiver;
• at least one processor in data communication with the media buffer, the transceiver, and the memory, and configured to execute the computer-executable code and cause the media playback system to:
• initiate a first streaming media session with a remote content server via the transceiver using a first communication link;
• receive, from the remote content server via the transceiver, linear media data associated with the first streaming media session at a first transmission rate over the first communication link;
• buffer the linear media data associated with the first streaming media session in the media buffer at a first buffer size;
• provide a first portion of the buffered linear media data associated with the first streaming media session from the media buffer for consumption on a media client at a first frame rate;
• predict an expected link transition initiation time based at least in part on the craft's heading and speed;
• determine an expected link transition duration between the first communication link and a second communication link;
• prior to the expected link transition initiation time, determine to increase buffering of the received linear media data in the media buffer from the first buffer size to a second buffer size if the expected link transition duration exceeds a threshold, by providing a second portion of the buffered linear media data associated with the first streaming media session from the media buffer for consumption on the media client at a second frame rate, the second frame rate being lower than the first frame rate;
• and
• provide, during a link transition time associated with the expected link transition initiation time, a third portion of the buffered linear media data associated with the first streaming media session from the media buffer for consumption on the media client.