P The invention relates to a space telecommunications network (10) comprising satellites in low Earth orbit (14). The satellites are in communication with switching centers (22) and ground control stations (24). The centers (22) and the control stations (24) comprise a network gateway and any number of terrestrial terminals arranged at a distance from each other. The gateway can provide tracking and control telemetry functions for the satellite constellation. Data is transported between the gateway and terrestrial terminals over fiber optic cables that carry a variety of different signals. Unidirectional primary and secondary data transmission channels in opposite directions have signal groups having a cut-off clock signal and a data signal. The cut-off clock signal oscillates in synchronism with the data signal and carries data time positioning signals although frame time positioning signals. Cables also carry LAN-type signals. /P
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