Low-cost satellite communication system

A communication device comprising:

• a message source that generntcs an information message, and
• a transmitter that communicates via a satellite having a service area and a high-gain antenna with a field of view that sweeps thc service orea during a sweep period and an illumination period that is substantially less than the sweep period, wherein
• the transmitter generates at least one transmission mcssage that is based on the information message and has a message duration that is less than the illumination period, and
• the transmitter repeatedly transmits the at least one transmission message based on a repeat parameter that distinguishes the transmitter from other transmitters that communicate via the satellite.

A method of providing communications, comprising:

• deploying a satellite to provide communications within a service area,
• sweeping thc scrvice area during a sweep period with a high-gain antenna that has a field of view that is substantially smaller than the service area,
• receiving communications from one or more transmitters that are within the field of view for an illumination period that is substantially less than the sweep period,
• wherein
• the communications from the one or more transmitters include messages that each have a message duration that is less than the illumination period, and
• the one or more transmitters are configured to repeatedly send each transmission message for a repeat duration that is greater than the illumination period.