A communications system, apparatus, method, and computer program product
for inter-satellite and inter-spacecraft crosslinks (ISL) with non-ISL
optimized antennas on spacecraft. The system includes a mobile
communications platform that includes an ISL antenna configured to
transmit information to a target satellite through a non-ISL antenna of
the target satellite. The mobile communications platform is configured to
relay transmissions through the non-ISL antenna of the target satellite
to another communications platform. The mobile communications platform
includes a controller configured to determine a location of the mobile
platform; determine whether the target satellite is within communications
range; and prepare a signal for relayed transmissions through a non-ISL
antenna of the target satellite to another communications platform in a
signal format that is decipherable by this other communications platform.