Coordinating inter-satellite handoff in a telecommunications system

A system is provided for coordinating inter-satellite handoff in a telecommunications system that includes first and second communication satellites and a communications apparatus. The communications apparatus is configured to generate commands for transmission to the first communication satellite and the second communication satellite to steer respectively first and second spot beams to track and communicate with a user terminal during respective time intervals. The communication interface is also configured to determine a trajectory of the user terminal and a predicted handoff point on the trajectory for handoff between the satellites in which the second spot beam is automatically steered to the handoff point or a point proximate thereto no sooner than the user terminal is within the second spot beam when steered to the predicted handoff point.