SYSTEME ET PROCEDE DE COMMUNICATION PAR SATELLITES EN CONSTELLATION HYBRIDE AVEC SIGNALISATION ET COMMANDE EFFICACES

A hybrid constellation satellite communication system (100) is established using two or more satellite types (110, 120) in different constellations. The two or more satellite types (110, 120) are connected to system control centers (140) via control links (105, 135) which provides a communication path from the satellite constellations to the system control centers (140). The two or more satellite types (110, 120) are also connected to subscriber equipment (150) via subscriber links (155, 145) which provides a communication path from the satellite constellations to the subscriber equipment (150). The first type of satellites (110) are interconnected using upper inter-satellite links (115). The second type of satellites (120) are interconnected using lower inter-satellite links (125). Control services and other time delay non-sensitive services are provided using communication channels established using the first type of satellites (110). Time delay sensitive services are provided using communication channels established using the second type of satellites (120). There are no inter-satellite links between satellites in the two different constellations.