Techniques for utilization of bandwidth space assets

A method for operating a satellite at an increased efficiency, comprising the steps of:

• calculating the maximum number of communications signals that the satellite can generate for a first communications service;
• determining an operational constraint on the satellite, the operational constraint limiting the number of communications signals that the satellite can radiate substantially simultaneously;
• defining a second communications service, the second communications service using the same communications signals as the first communications service;
• determining, using the operational constraint and an operational space, the increased efficiency for the communications signals, the operational space defined using the first and the second communications services;
• determining a limit on the increased efficiency using the operational constraints;
• determining an operational point for the satellite using the limited increased efficiency;
• operating the satellite at the operational point.

A method for increasing the efficiency of usage for a satellite space asset, comprising the steps of:

• dynamically determining an amount of the satellite space asset that is available at a current operational point;
• determining the limits of usage of the satellite space asset using operational constraints;
• dynamically creating an operational space for the satellite space asset wherein the operational space is defined using the availability of the satellite space asset and the operational constraints;
• determining an increased efficiency operational point for the satellite space assets within the operational space, wherein the increased efficiency operational point for the based on the limiting step;
• and
• operating the satellite space asset at the increased efficiency operational point.

A method for operating a communications satellite constellation, comprising:

• receiving a first signal at a first data rate at a first satellite from a first communications device within a region,
• receiving a second signal at the first data rate at a second satellite in the satellite constellation from a second communications device within the region;
• using a first communications channel to communicate a third signal at a second data rate higher than the first data rate from the first satellite to a third communications device;
• and
• using the first communications channel to communicate a fourth signal at the second data rate from the second satellite to a fourth communications device within the region without substantially interfering with the communications with the first communications device, the second communications device, and the third communications device.

A method of communicating information, comprising the steps of:

• communicating a first signal from one of a plurality of satellites to one or more of a first set of communications devices disposed within a region at a first data rate using one of a first set of one or more channels;
• communicating a second signal from the one of the plurality of satellites to a first of a second set of communications devices disposed within the region at a second data rate higher than the first data rate using a first of a second set of one or more channels;
• and
• communicating a third signal from another of the plurality of satellites to a second of the second set of communications devices disposed within the region at the second data rate using the first of the second set of one or more channels.