Patent ID: 7216833

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: a boom means ( 11 ) for providing support; a nuclear reactor means ( 19 ) for generating heat; said nuclear reactor means ( 19 ) being coupled to said boom means ( 11 ); a payload protection means ( 20 ) for protecting a payload ( 15 ) from radiation; said payload protection means ( 20 ) being coupled to said nuclear reactor means ( 19 ); a radiator mans ( 16 ) for dissipating heat; said radiator means ( 16 ) being coupled to said nuclear reactor means ( 19 ); an electric propulsion means ( 12 ) for supplying thrust; said electric propulsion means ( 12 ) being coupled to said nuclear reactor means ( 19 ); and a propellant tank means ( 13 ) for storing fuel for said electric propulsion means ( 12 ); said propellant tank means ( 13 ) being coupled to said boom means ( 11 ); said apparatus being positioned in orbit and providing high-bandwidth, direct communication service to a terminal which is not in Earth orbit, and which does not require an intermediate satellite relay.