Method and apparatus of communication via satellite

An apparatus, comprising:

• a plurality of kytoons, each kytoon of the plurality of kytoons including
• a hub positioned within the kytoon,
• an adjustable spine that is connected to the hub and varies a diameter and volume of the kytoon, and
• first and second tether access tubes that are each open to the atmosphere at one end and are sealed to the hub of the kytoon at another end;
• a plurality of tether segments including a first tether segment and a second tether segment,
• the first tether segment is connected to an anchor connected to the earth at one end of the first tether segment and to a first hub of a first kytoon at another end of the first tether segment, a part of the first tether segment passing through the first tether access tube of the first kytoon so that the first tether segment is connected to the first hub, and
• the second tether segment is connected to the first hub of the first kytoon at one end of the second tether segment and to a second hub of a second kytoon at another end of the second tether segment, a first part of the second tether segment passing through the second tether access tube of the first kytoon so that the second tether segment is connected to the first hub and a second part of the second tether segment passing through the first tether access tube of the second kytoon so that the second tether segment is connected to the second hub;
• a pipe enclosed in the plurality of tether segments and that provides a lighter-than-atmospheric gas from a gas source to at least one kytoon of the plurality of kytoons so that the at least one kytoon is inflated with the lighter-than-atmospheric gas;
• a communication device connected to one of the kytoons;
• and
• a fiber optic cable enclosed in the plurality of tether segments and connects the communication device to a terrestrial network, wherein
• the communication device is a free-space optical transceiver that communicates with a satellite in orbit.