Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus for satellite communication comprising a plurality of kytoons, each kytoon of the plurality of kytoons includes a hub positioned within the kytoon, an adjustable spine that is connected to the hub and varies a diameter and volume of the kytoon, and first and second tether access tubes that are each open to the atmosphere at one end and are sealed to the hub of the kytoon at another end. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of tether segments including a first tether segment and a second tether segment, the first tether segment is connected to an anchor connected to the earth at one end of the first tether segment and to a first hub of a first kytoon at another end of the first tether segment, the first tether segment connected to the first hub through the first tether access tube of the first kytoon, and the second tether segment is connected to the first hub of the first kytoon at one end of the second tether segment, through the second tether access tube of the first kytoon, and to a second hub of a second kytoon at another end of the second tether segment through the first tether access tube of the second kytoon. The apparatus further comprises a pipe enclosed in the plurality of tether segments and that provides a lighter-than-atmospheric gas from a gas source to at least one kytoon of the plurality of kytoons so that the at least one kytoon is inflated with the lighter-than-atmospheric gas, a communication device connected to one of the kytoons, and a fiber optic cable enclosed in the plurality of tether segments and connected to the communication device.

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First Claim