Patent ID: 8090264

Claim:
A free-space network comprising: at least one free-space sensor for sensing at least one uncooperative target; at least one free-space communications network for allowing a plurality of cooperative users to communicate, wherein said at least one free-space communications network comprises a plurality of free-space multi-channel relay converters for tracking a plurality of cooperative users and a connection system for aligning the plurality of free-space multi-channel relay converters with one another to allow a plurality of cooperative users to communicate, wherein said connection system comprises an internal alignment reference and steering mirrors and each free-space multi-channel relay converter is adapted to align with the internal alignment reference; at least one free-space processor for processing information from said at least one free-space sensor and information from said at least one free-space communications network; and at least one free-space communications link connecting in free-space said at least one free-space sensor, said at least one free-space communications network, and said at least one free-space processor.