remain relatively constant fig2 presents a static two dimensional map of the relative orientation of satellites 12 with reference to fig1 2 at any given instant satellites 12 in even orbital planes 14a reside at approximately the same latitudes on one side of the earth likewise satellites 12 reside at approximately the same latitudes on one side of the earth for all odd planes 14b however odd plane satellites 12 are positioned out of phase with even plane satellites 12 at any given instant the latitudes of odd plane satellites 12 are approximately half way between the latitudes for nearby even plane satellites 12 a line of sight exists between each satellite 12 and fore and aft satellites 12 in the same plane 14 and fore and aft satellites 12 in adjacent planes the preferred embodiment employs rf communications preferably in the 20 30 ghz range to establish communication links 16 between each satellite 12 and its neighbor satellites 12 with reference to fig2 up to six line of sight bi directional rf communication links 16 are supported for each satellite 12 as shown in fig2 fore and aft links 16a and 16b exist between a satellite 12x and the preceding and following satellites 12a and 12b respectively orbiting in the same plane 14 i e.