A method for communications via a communications satellite having an antenna assembly with a plurality of antenna feed elements, the method comprising: providing a communications service via a first plurality of beamformed spot beams, the first plurality of beamformed spot beams based at least in part on a first beamforming configuration arranged to provide flexible locations of respective spot beam coverage areas and on a first native antenna pattern of the antenna assembly, the first native antenna pattern based at least in part on a first defocused position of a feed array assembly of the antenna assembly relative to a reflector of the antenna assembly, and the first native antenna pattern comprising a composite of first native feed element patterns of the plurality of antenna feed elements; commanding the communications satellite to change from the first native antenna pattern of the antenna assembly to a second native antenna pattern of the antenna assembly, the second native antenna pattern based at least in part on a second defocused position of the feed array assembly relative to the reflector, and the second native antenna pattern comprising a composite of second native feed element patterns of the plurality of antenna feed elements, wherein a given antenna feed element of the plurality of antenna feed elements is associated with one of the first native feed element patterns and one of the second native feed element patterns, and wherein the one of the second native feed element patterns is different from the one of the first native feed element patterns; and providing the communications service via a second plurality of beamformed spot beams, the second plurality of beamformed spot beams based at least in part on a second beamforming configuration arranged to provide flexible locations of respective spot beam coverage areas and on the second native antenna pattern. providing a communications service via a first plurality of beamformed spot beams, the first plurality of beamformed spot beams based at least in part on a first beamforming configuration arranged to provide flexible locations of respective spot beam coverage areas and on a first native antenna pattern of the antenna assembly, the first native antenna pattern based at least in part on a first defocused position of a feed array assembly of the antenna assembly relative to a reflector of the antenna assembly, and the first native antenna pattern comprising a composite of first native feed element patterns of the plurality of antenna feed elements; commanding the communications satellite to change from the first native antenna pattern of the antenna assembly to a second native antenna pattern of the antenna assembly, the second native antenna pattern based at least in part on a second defocused position of the feed array assembly relative to the reflector, and the second native antenna pattern comprising a composite of second native feed element patterns of the plurality of antenna feed elements, wherein a given antenna feed element of the plurality of antenna feed elements is associated with one of the first native feed element patterns and one of the second native feed element patterns, and wherein the one of the second native feed element patterns is different from the one of the first native feed element patterns; and providing the communications service via a second plurality of beamformed spot beams, the second plurality of beamformed spot beams based at least in part on a second beamforming configuration arranged to provide flexible locations of respective spot beam coverage areas and on the second native antenna pattern.