In satellite communications systems, the establishment of contact with a communications satellite space station. Note: An example of satellite access is access at the moment at which an Earth station commences to use a satellite space station as a signal repeater, i.e., to use its transponder. Each radio frequency (rf) carrier that is relayed by a satellite space station at any time occupies an access channel. Accesses, i.e., channels, are distinguishable by various system parameters, such as frequency, time, or code.