Dynamic Routing From Space

Abstract

A satellite communication network includes one or more satellites and multiple ground stations, or ground stations. An originating ground station receives an Internet communication, determines when a satellite will be within range, and transmits a stream of data packets including part or all of the communication to the satellite when in communication range. The satellite either forwards the data packets to another satellite, or determines when a destination ground station will be in sight and transmits the data packets to the destination ground station when in range.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 receiving, at an origin mobile ground station, data via a network;   determining, at the origin mobile ground station, a predicted location of the origin mobile ground station based on a current position, heading and velocity of the origin mobile ground station;   dynamically selecting, at the origin mobile ground station, a first satellite within communication range of the predicted location;   determining, at the origin mobile ground station, a first radio frequency and a first data transmission rate supported by the first satellite;   transmitting, when the origin mobile ground station reaches the predicted location, the data from the origin mobile ground station to the first satellite via the determined first radio frequency and first data transmission rate;   determining, at the origin mobile ground station, when the first satellite will go out of communication range of the origin mobile ground station;   transmitting a request from the origin mobile ground station to the first satellite before the first satellite is determined to go out of communication range, the request verifying whether transmitting of the data has been completed; and   transmitting, if a response to the request is received verifying that transmitting of the data has not been completed or if no response to the request is received, a flag from the origin mobile ground station to the first satellite, the flag indicating that the data is incomplete.