Methods and apparatus for using ground based processing resources to support orbiting satellites

A satellite communications system, comprising:

• a plurality of earth-orbiting satellites, each having an onboard computer, wherein each said onboard computer includes a first processor, a first memory, and a first data transceiver;
• a plurality of ground-based computers, each having a second processor, a second memory, and second data transceiver;
• wherein each said first data transceiver is configured to communicate with at least one said second data transceiver to thereby form a high data rate, low latency data link;
• wherein each said first processor is configured to automatically generate a remote procedure call (RPC), and each said first data transceiver is configured to automatically transmit an RPC to one said second data transceiver, whereupon one said second processor processes said RPC and generates a response to said RPC;
• and
• wherein one said second transceiver is configured to upload said response to one of said onboard computer.