Systems and methods for performing authorized intercept in a satellite-based communications system

Authorized intercepts of communications in a satellite communications system (10) are performed, according to which a law enforcement agency (LEA) can request the intercept of communications to and/or from subscriber units (SUs). In one embodiment, an LEA intercept request causes an intercept order for a particular target SU (420, FIG. 6) to be transmitted to one or more satellites (411-413, FIG. 6), where the intercept order is stored in an intercept table (410). Any communications traffic involving the target SU results in an intercept by a satellite, which routes a copy of the intercepted communications to the requesting LEA, either directly or via an associated intercept facility (426, FIG. 8).