Abstract: A system and method are disclosed which may include providing at least one satellite having a plurality of beamformers configured to provide a plurality of respective beams having a plurality of different respective fixed pitch angles about an axis of the satellite; causing the at least one satellite to move around the earth along a non-geostationary orbit; establishing a data communication path between a first of the beamformers on the satellite and a communication target, the data communication path having a satellite end at the first beamformer and an target end at the communication target; shifting the satellite end of the data communication path through a succession of the beamformers as the satellite moves along its orbit; and at least substantially reducing an amount of RF wave energy directed to beamformers of the plurality of beamformers not forming part of the data communication path.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed which may include a plurality of ground stations operable to transmit and receive analog signal energy; at least one satellite in orbit around the earth and in communication with at least two ground stations, wherein the satellite comprises: a plurality of transponders, wherein at least two transponders are configured to communicate with at least two different transceiver stations; at least one routing mechanism for routing each analog data packet signal received at the satellite to a selected one of said at least two transponders based on a transmission frequency of each said analog data packet signal.