Abstract: A multi-dimensional Burst Link Access Streaming Transmission (BLAST) architecture, which provides flexible physical apparatus for balanced performance of data throughput, latency, and reliability of transmission (e.g. graceful degradation). A schedule is sent from a master node to alert targeted nodes regarding messages to be sent. The master node uses a P-Band transmission link operating a regular intervals to synchronize the system in preparation for receipt of a message over a synchronous link. Each node has the capability of sending and receiving synchronous and asynchronous messages.