Novel distributed space mission concepts such as fractionation and federation promise to transform the design and operations approach of future missions. These paradigms require robust communications networking among other technologies. For the first time this paper explores the specifics of communications network protocols to enable Federated Satellite Systems using an opportunistic resource exchange frame open to all kinds of missions. Within satellite federations, participant spacecraft trade resources on a voluntary basis open to collaborative and/or commercial returns. The heterogeneous, mobile, flexible and scalable environment of satellite federations requires networking technologies capable of handling autonomous node discovery and frequent link disruptions. This work leverages existing Mobile Ad-Hoc Networking techniques to propose an FSS network protocol concept making use of OSLR neighbor sensing and store-carry-and-forward BATMAN routing concepts combined with link availability assessments and predictive topology routing. The performance of this protocol is tested through a dedicated network simulator and the FSS simulation toolkit. Results show the benefits of using FSS under this protocol. For a LEO-based scenario, average content delivery latency is improved from 41 minutes to 3.7 minutes by full usage of federated network benefits. Intermediate scenarios, such as 50% time network usage, present an average latency of 18 minutes. The paper ends by highlighting conclusions and next steps for the development of space communications protocols suitable for FSS.

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This paper develops a framework to simulate and evaluate pricing policies of spacecraft trading commodities, such as data routing, in a federated satellite network. Federated satellite systems allow the reallocation of underutilized assets, enabling their use as services between owners and third parties. The paper, by means of game theory, focuses on sealed‐bid reverse auction pricing schemes, benchmarks first‐price and second‐price auction strategies, and evaluates the associated trade‐offs in terms of performance and cost, and losses in Pareto efficiency introduced by system‐level operation constraints. The analysis considers an application case study for federated satellite systems operating in Low Earth Orbit for commercial purposes. Satellite federations are a novel paradigm envisioning on‐orbit opportunistic sharing of resources through an ad hoc mobile satellite network. The architecture creates the basis for the realization of a commercial cloud computing environment in orbit, with spacecraft establishing communications links between each other leveraging on system design margins. The results of the case study in space provide new insights on the design of federated satellites and their operations while characterizing emergent behaviors and efficient trade‐offs on the Pareto front of the cost–performance curve.