Abstract: A practicable universal replacement C band/Ku band communications satellite designed for orbiting the Earth in a storage orbit and a method for its use as a replacement for a failed satellite are disclosed. The universal replacement satellite can be controlled by an external control system (e.g., a ground station) and is reconfigurable by remote command (e.g., from a ground station). The satellite is designed to make several fast moves during its design life from its storage slot to the geostationary slot to which it needs to move when it is to act as a replacement for a failed satellite. The ability to make fast moves helps minimize down time. After its then-current mission of sparing a particular failed satellite has been completed, the communications payload can be turned off and the satellite can be moved back to its storage slot to await its next replacement mission.