Temporally and Geographically Adaptive Satellite Constellation Network Management

A system comprising:

• a smart satellite within a satellite constellation, the smart satellite comprising:
• one or more communication interfaces including a first communication interface configured to communicate with one or more gateways that are coupled to a core network, a second communication interface configured to communicate with a smart user (UE) device and one or more other UE devices;
• and
• a processor coupled to the one or more communication interfaces, the processor configured to determine one or more data paths for communication of data between the core network and a selected UE device, the one or more data paths including an alternative data path that includes the smart UE device as the virtual gateway between the core network and the smart satellite via the alternative gateway.

A system comprising a smart user (UE) device and a smart satellite:

• the smart user (UE) device comprising:
• one or more network interfaces including a first network interface configured to communicate with a satellite constellation, a second network interface configured to communicate with one or more first gateways that are communicatively coupled to a core network, and a third network interface configured to communicate with a smartphone;
• and
• a processor coupled to the one or more network interfaces and configured to operate as a virtual gateway to forward data for other users between the core network and the satellite constellation;
• the smart satellite within the satellite constellation, the smart satellite comprising:
• one or more communication interfaces including a first communication interface configured to communicate with one or more other satellites inside or outside the satellite constellation, a second communication interface configured to communicate with one or more second gateways that are coupled to the core network, and a third communication interface configured to communicate with the smart UE device and one or more other UE devices;
• and
• a processor coupled to the one or more communication interfaces, the processor configured to determine one or more data paths for communication of data between the core network and a selected UE device, the one or more data paths including an alternative data path that includes the smart UE device as the virtual gateway between the core network and the smart satellite.