In a satellite-based Internet system, satellites are used to interconnect heterogeneous network segments and to provide ubiquitous direct Internet access to homes and businesses. This article presents satellite-based Internet architectures and discusses multiple access control, routing, satellite transport, and integrating satellite networks into the global Internet.

Satellite communication is distinguished by global coverage and the ability to support a wide range of applications. LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellite systems employing inter-satellite links offer rich connectivity in space and provide direct broadband access and personal communication service. One of the technical challenges for LEO systems is the design of eMicient routing strategies tailored to their highly dynamic nature. In this paper, we present a new routing method which solves the routing problem effciently by overlaying a static logical topology over the physical constellation. The algorithm generates near-optimal shortest paths. The performance of our proposed scheme is evaluated through theoretical analysis and simulations.

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