Systems and methods for collecting and processing satellite communications network usage information

A method for billing a user for control of one or more steerable antennas on a satellite in a satellite communications network, comprising the steps of:

• sending a request signal from an initiating terrestrial terminal to the satellite, wherein the request signal includes a request for accessing control of the one or more steerable antennas,
• granting control of the one or more steerable antennas to the initiating terrestrial terminal and initiating a billing log by the satellite, wherein the billing log includes billing-related information relating to the duration of control of the one or more steerable antennas by the initiating terrestrial terminal;
• storing the billing-related information from the billing log in a data structure on-board the at least one satellite;
• and
• utilizing a software processor on-board the satellite to apply a rate of billing to the billing-related information, to formulate and format a billing statement, and to transmit the formulated and formatted billing statement from the satellite to the initiating terrestrial terminal via a downlink signal.