Satellites using inter-satellite links to create indirect feeder link paths

A method of providing a feeder link between a first geo-stationary satellite and a satellite gateway comprising:

• communicating between the first geo-stationary satellite and the satellite gateway via at least one second geo-stationary satellite.

A satellite communications system, comprising:

• first and second geo-stationary satellites configured to establish an inter-satellite communications link therebetween;
• and
• a satellite gateway configured to establish a direct feeder link with one of the first and second geo-stationary satellites and to establish an indirect feeder link with the other of the first and second geo-stationary satellites using the inter-satellite communications link and the direct feeder link.

A satellite gateway configured to establish an indirect feeder link with a geo-stationary satellite.

A satellite gateway comprising:

• an antenna;
• and
• an electronics system coupled to the antenna configured to establish a direct feeder link with a first geo-stationary satellite via the antenna and an indirect feeder link with a second geo-stationary satellite via an inter-satellite link between the first geo-stationary satellite and the second geo-stationary satellite.

A satellite gateway, comprising:

• an antenna;
• and
• an electronics system coupled to the antenna and configured to receive a feeder link communications signal from a second satellite gateway over an inter-gateway link, to identify a geo-stationary satellite for which the feeder link communications signal is intended, to establish an indirect feeder link with the geo-stationary satellite for which the feeder link communications signal is intended, and to forward the feeder link communications signal to the geo-stationary satellite for which the feeder link communications signal is intended.

A geo-stationary satellite configured to establish an indirect feeder link with a satellite gateway.

A geo-stationary satellite comprising:

• an antenna;
• and
• an electronics system configured to establish a direct feeder link with a satellite gateway using a feeder link frequency, to receive a communications signal from the satellite gateway over the direct feeder link, to determine if the communications signal is intended for a second geo-stationary satellite, and to establish an inter-satellite link with the second geo-stationary satellite.

A geo-stationary satellite comprising:

• an antenna;
• and
• an electronics system configured to establish an inter-satellite link with a second geo-stationary satellite, to receive a communications signal from the second geo-stationary satellite over the inter-satellite link, to determine if the communications signal is intended for a satellite gateway, and to establish a direct feeder link with the second geo-stationary satellite.