Abstract: These methods allow payload control instructions to be transported to satellites in a constellation of satellites and to be activated at pre-assigned times across the constellation. These methods manage and distribute validated payload instructions according to an associated time-tag. The payload instruction methods support direct payload control as well as incremental table updates. The primary functions performed by the payload instruction methods include appending payload instructions to tables, replacing or deleting specific payload instruction in a table, and scheduling and distributing the execution of payload instructions according to an attached time-tag.