Which statement about a crosslink in a satellite constellation is true?

• A. It is a ground-station to satellite link.
• B. It is a satellite to ground link.
• C. It is a satellite-to-ground link.
• D. It is a satellite-to-satellite link that relays data.

Answer: (C)

Crosslinks in a satellite constellation are inter-satellite communication links that connect two satellites directly. This allows data to be relayed from one spacecraft to another, hop by hop, without always routing through a ground station. By enabling satellite-to-satellite data transfer, the network can extend coverage, reduce reliance on ground stations, and improve routing efficiency so information can reach a ground station or another end point even when direct line-of-sight to Earth isn’t available. Ground-station to satellite or satellite to ground links describe uplink and downlink paths to or from Earth, not inter-satellite communication, so the true description is a satellite-to-satellite link that relays data.