Cellular API for satellite configurations

A method at a server, comprising:

• receiving, from each of a plurality of satellite carriers, first satellite ephemeris information for at least one satellite of a corresponding satellite carrier;
• storing the first satellite ephemeris information at a datastore of the server;
• and
• in response to receipt of a request from a user equipment for satellite ephemeris information associated with a packetized data service provided via at least one satellite, accessing second satellite ephemeris information for at least one satellite from the datastore and wirelessly transmitting the accessed second satellite ephemeris information to the user equipment.

A user equipment comprising:

• a cellular interface to wirelessly receive satellite ephemeris information for a set of one or more satellites from a server;
• a satellite interface to wirelessly communicate with one or more satellites;
• a processor coupled to the cellular interface and the satellite interface;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing executable instructions that are configured to manipulate the processor to:
• calculate one or more satellite parameters for at least one satellite of the set based on the satellite ephemeris information;
• and
• control, based on the one or more satellite parameters, operation of a software application of the user equipment that utilizes a packetized data service provided to the user equipment via the at least one satellite.