Extraterrestrial communications systems and methods including ancillary extraterrestrial components

An extraterrestrial communications system comprising:

• a first space-based component that is configured to provide wireless communications with a plurality of radioterminals located on an extraterrestrial body wherein the first space-based component includes at least one satellite orbiting the extraterrestrial body;
• an ancillary extraterrestrial component on the extraterrestrial body that is configured to provide wireless communications with the plurality of radioterminals located on the extraterrestrial body, wherein the first space-based component and the ancillary extraterrestrial component are configured to relay communications therebetween;
• a second space-based component that is configured to provide wireless communications with a plurality of radioterminals located on earth wherein the second space-based component includes at least one satellite orbiting earth;
• and
• an ancillary terrestrial component on earth that is configured to provide wireless communications with the plurality of radioterminals located on earth, wherein the second space-based component and the ancillary terrestrial component are configured to relay communications therebetween;
• wherein the first space-based component, the ancillary extraterrestrial component, the second space-based component, and the ancillary terrestrial component are configured to relay communications between a radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body and a radioterminal on earth such that communications between the radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body and the radioterminal on earth are relayed through at least two of the first space-based component, the ancillary extraterrestrial component, the second space-based component, and/or the ancillary terrestrial component.

A method of operating a communications system comprising a space-based component including at least one satellite orbiting an extraterrestrial body and an ancillary extraterrestrial component on the extraterrestrial body, the method comprising:

• providing wireless communications from the space-based component with a plurality of radioterminals located on the extraterrestrial body over a satellite frequency band;
• providing wireless communications from the ancillary extraterrestrial component with the plurality of radioterminals located on the extraterrestrial body, wherein the ancillary extraterrestrial component reuses at least one satellite frequency of the satellite frequency band;
• and
• relaying communications between the space-based component and the ancillary extraterrestrial component.

A method of operating a communications system comprising a first space-based component including at least one satellite orbiting the extraterrestrial body, an ancillary extraterrestrial component on the extraterrestrial body, a second space-based component including at least one satellite orbiting earth, and an ancillary terrestrial component on earth, the method comprising:

• providing wireless communications from the first space-based component with a plurality of radioterminals located on the extraterrestrial body;
• providing wireless communications from the ancillary extraterrestrial component with the plurality of radioterminals located on the extraterrestrial body;
• relaying communications between the first space-based component and the ancillary extraterrestrial component;
• providing wireless communications form the second space-based component with a plurality of radioterminals located on earth;
• providing wireless communications form the ancillary terrestrial component with the plurality of radioterminals located on earth;
• relaying communications between the second space-based component and the ancillary terrestrial component;
• and
• relaying communications between a radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body and a radioterminal on earth such that communications between the radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body and the radioterminal on earth are relayed through at least two of the first space-based component, the ancillary extraterrestrial component, the second space-based component, and/or the ancillary terrestrial component.

A method of operating a communications system comprising a space-based component including at least one satellite orbiting earth, and an ancillary terrestrial component on earth, the method comprising:

• providing wireless communications from the space-based component with a plurality of radioterminals located on earth over a satellite frequency band;
• providing wireless communications from the ancillary terrestrial component with the plurality of radioterminals located on earth, wherein the ancillary terrestrial component reuses at least one satellite frequency of the satellite frequency band;
• relaying communications between the space-based component and the ancillary terrestrial component;
• and
• relaying communications between one of the plurality of radioterminals located on earth and a radioterminal located on an extraterrestrial body using at least one of the space-based component and/or the extraterrestrial component.