Methods and Apparatuses for Multi-Modal Use of a Satellite in a Satellite Communications System

A method of operation by a satellite in a satellite communications system, the method comprising selectively operating in either a first forward service or a second forward service mode, wherein:

• the first forward service mode comprises:
• receiving, via a first antenna system of the satellite, a first type of feeder uplink signal comprising a plurality of forward element signals stacked in frequency and corresponding to antenna elements in a phased array antenna included in a second antenna system of the satellite, the plurality of forward element signals weighted such that simultaneous transmission of the plurality of forward element signals as first user downlink signals from the phased array antenna results in far field formation of one or more first forward user beams, each first forward user beam having a corresponding first forward user beam coverage area and conveying traffic for one or more first user terminals that are in a population of first user terminals and are located in the corresponding first forward user beam coverage area;
• unstacking the plurality of forward element signals to a same downlink frequency via a feeder link payload of the satellite;
• and
• coupling the unstacked plurality of forward element signals to the phased array antenna via a first user link payload of the satellite, for transmission from the phased array antenna as the first user downlink signals and the resulting formation of the one or more first forward user beams;
• and
• the second forward service mode comprises:
• receiving, via the first antenna system of the satellite, a second type of feeder uplink signal comprising one or more forward beam signals;
• and
• coupling the one or more forward beam signals to the first antenna system via a second user link payload of the satellite, for transmission from the first antenna system as one or more second user downlink signals, each second user downlink signal transmitted as a corresponding second forward user beam having a corresponding second forward user beam coverage area and conveying traffic for one or more second user terminals that are in a population of second user terminals and are located in the corresponding second forward user beam coverage area.