A method for communicating using a hub-spoke satellite having a forward link capability comprising: providing the hub-spoke satellite, the hub-spoke satellite comprising a plurality of receivers having inputs and outputs, a plurality of transmitters having inputs and outputs, the inputs of the plurality of transmitters coupled to the outputs of the plurality of receivers, a plurality of transmit switches coupled to the outputs of the plurality of transmitters, and a gateway switch structure coupled to one of: (a) the inputs of the plurality of receivers, and (b) the outputs of the plurality receivers and the inputs of the plurality of transmitters; using each transmit switch in the plurality of transmit switches to sequentially switch a forward link signal into multiple fixed location beams according to a beam group transmit switching pattern; prior to a time T, using each of at least P receivers in the plurality of receivers to receive a different one of at least P forward link signals from P gateway terminals, and in the duration of one frame, using the gateway switch structure to sequentially switch the at least P forward link signals from the P gateway terminals, in order to provide the at least P forward link signals to the plurality of transmit switches, according to a first gateway switching pattern, and sequentially switching each of the at least P forward link signals into fixed location beams according to a first beam group transmit switching pattern; after time T, using each of at least Q receivers in the plurality of receivers to receive a different one of at least Q forward link signals from Q gateway terminals, and in the duration of one frame, using the gateway switch structure to sequentially switch the at least Q forward link signals from the Q gateway terminals, in order to provide the at least Q forward link signals to the plurality of transmit switches, according to a second gateway switching pattern, and sequentially switching each of the at least Q forward link signals into fixed location beams according to a second beam group transmit switching pattern; wherein P and Q are both non-zero, positive integers, and Q > P; and wherein the first and second gateway switching patterns are different. providing the hub-spoke satellite, the hub-spoke satellite comprising a plurality of receivers having inputs and outputs, a plurality of transmitters having inputs and outputs, the inputs of the plurality of transmitters coupled to the outputs of the plurality of receivers, a plurality of transmit switches coupled to the outputs of the plurality of transmitters, and a gateway switch structure coupled to one of: (a) the inputs of the plurality of receivers, and (b) the outputs of the plurality receivers and the inputs of the plurality of transmitters; using each transmit switch in the plurality of transmit switches to sequentially switch a forward link signal into multiple fixed location beams according to a beam group transmit switching pattern; prior to a time T, using each of at least P receivers in the plurality of receivers to receive a different one of at least P forward link signals from P gateway terminals, and in the duration of one frame, using the gateway switch structure to sequentially switch the at least P forward link signals from the P gateway terminals, in order to provide the at least P forward link signals to the plurality of transmit switches, according to a first gateway switching pattern, and sequentially switching each of the at least P forward link signals into fixed location beams according to a first beam group transmit switching pattern; after time T, using each of at least Q receivers in the plurality of receivers to receive a different one of at least Q forward link signals from Q gateway terminals, and in the duration of one frame, using the gateway switch structure to sequentially switch the at least Q forward link signals from the Q gateway terminals, in order to provide the at least Q forward link signals to the plurality of transmit switches, according to a second gateway switching pattern, and sequentially switching each of the at least Q forward link signals into fixed location beams according to a second beam group transmit switching pattern; wherein P and Q are both non-zero, positive integers, and Q > P; and wherein the first and second gateway switching patterns are different.