Satellite communication system

A method of providing a system of satellites above the earth, the method comprising:

• defining at least one geographic service area within which satellite coverage is to be provided;
• defining a first orbit having a first satellite and a second orbit having a second satellite therein;
• operating said first satellite above a minimum elevation angle above the service area to generate a plurality of fixed cells relative to the earth by varying first beamwidths of first beams generated during operation in a first active arc of the first orbit, said first beamwidths varying relative to position in the first orbit;
• handing over operation from the first satellite to the second satellite to maintain at least the minimum elevation angle;
• and
• operating said second satellite to generate the plurality of fixed cells by varying second beamwidths of second beams generated during operation in a second active arc of the second orbit, said second beamwidths varying relative to position in the second orbit.

A method of operating a system satellites comprising:

• operating said first satellite above a minimum elevation angle for a service area to generate a first plurality of beams corresponding to a plurality of fixed cells relative to the earth by varying first beamwidths of the first plurality of beams generated during operation in a first active arc of a first orbit, said first beamwidths varying relative to position in the first orbit;
• handing over operation from the first satellite to a second satellite to maintain at least the minimum elevation angle for the service area;
• and
• operating said second satellite to generate a second plurality of beams corresponding to the plurality of fixed cells by varying second beamwidths of the second plurality of beams generated during operation in a second active arc of a second orbit, said second beamwidths varying relative to position in the second orbit.