A multi-satellite system (100, 301) comprising: a first satellite (102, 302) and a second satellite (103, 303) configured to be separated in a predetermined distance between the satellites (102, 103, 302, 303) after being launched into space; and a tether (104, 306) including an optical fiber having first and second ends, wherein the first end is connected to the first satellite (102, 302) and the second end is connected to the second satellite (103, 303), wherein the first satellite (102, 302) comprises: an optical transceiver connected to the first end of the optical fiber to provide a communications link to the second satellite, wherein the second satellite (102, 303) comprises: an optical transceiver connected to the second end of the optical fiber to provide the communications link to the first satellite (102, 302); characterized in that a length of the tether (104, 306) is greater than the predetermined distance; wherein the first satellite (102, 302) further comprises: a spool containing partial winding of the tether (104, 306), and a free space optical transceiver to provide a first communications link to a first distant satellite; and wherein the second satellite (102, 303) further comprises: a spool containing partial winding of the tether (104, 306), and a free space optical transceiver to provide a second communications link to a second distant satellite; wherein the first satellite (102, 302) and the second satellite (103, 303) are different satellites than the first distant satellite and the second distant satellite. a first satellite (102, 302) and a second satellite (103, 303) configured to be separated in a predetermined distance between the satellites (102, 103, 302, 303) after being launched into space; and a tether (104, 306) including an optical fiber having first and second ends, wherein the first end is connected to the first satellite (102, 302) and the second end is connected to the second satellite (103, 303), wherein the first satellite (102, 302) comprises: an optical transceiver connected to the first end of the optical fiber to provide a communications link to the second satellite, wherein the second satellite (102, 303) comprises: an optical transceiver connected to the second end of the optical fiber to provide the communications link to the first satellite (102, 302); characterized in that a length of the tether (104, 306) is greater than the predetermined distance; wherein the first satellite (102, 302) further comprises: a spool containing partial winding of the tether (104, 306), and a free space optical transceiver to provide a first communications link to a first distant satellite; and a spool containing partial winding of the tether (104, 306), and a free space optical transceiver to provide a first communications link to a first distant satellite; and wherein the second satellite (102, 303) further comprises: a spool containing partial winding of the tether (104, 306), and a free space optical transceiver to provide a second communications link to a second distant satellite; a spool containing partial winding of the tether (104, 306), and a free space optical transceiver to provide a second communications link to a second distant satellite; wherein the first satellite (102, 302) and the second satellite (103, 303) are different satellites than the first distant satellite and the second distant satellite.