Satellite communications system

A satellite communication system comprising first and second transceiver systems disposed on first and second satellites respectively, each transceiver including:

• first means for transmitting first, second, third and fourth optical beams of first, second, third and fourth modulations, respectively, each beam illuminating a coverage area;
• second means for receiving at least one of the optical beams and providing an intermediate signal in response thereto, the intermediate signal having a modulation which is directly related to the modulation of the received optical beam;
• third means for transmitting the intermediate signal in a fifth optical beam;
• fourth means for receiving the fifth beam and extracting the intermediate signal therefrom;
• fifth means for processing the intermediate signal and providing a beam coverage control signal in response thereto;
• and
• sixth means for controlling the coverage of at least one of the first beams in response to the beam coverage control signal.

A method for communication between satellites including the steps of:

• transmitting a plurality of unidirectional first beams of electromagnetic radiation, each beam having a unique characteristic relative to any other transmitted beam and illuminating a coverage area;
• receiving at least one of the first beams and providing an intermediate signal in response thereto, the intermediate signal having a characteristic which is directly related to the unique characteristic of the received first beam;
• transmitting a second beam of electromagnetic energy which has information therein relating to the unique characteristic of the intermediate signal;
• receiving the second beam and extracting the information therefrom;
• processing the information and providing a beam coverage control signal in response thereto;
• and
• controlling the coverage of at least one of the first beams in response to the beam coverage control signal.