This thesis develops a stochastic model for satellite packet switching networks, using results from queueing theory that have been previously explored in modeling communication networks. This thesis also analyzes message queueing delay when users of the network are generating data at moderate to high rates. Average packet delay and average number of packets in the system are formulated.

The model developed herein is applied to two cases. In the first case packet transmission and back off times are deterministic. In the second case packet transmission and back off times are exponentially distributed. The input parameters to this model are packet arrival rate, average packet transmission time, average back off time and probability of packet collision. The model yields average packet delay and average number of packets in the system. Methods to compute the probability of collision are presented.