A method and apparatus for link adaptation in a satellite communication system, wherein a satellite is configured to receive reverse-link (RL) communications from a user terminal (UT) via a service link and retransmit the RL communications to a satellite access network (SAN) via a feeder link. The SAN may select a reference location for the UT within a footprint of the satellite, and determine a set of operating parameters for the RL communications to achieve a target power efficiency of the satellite based on the reference location. The SAN may dynamically adjust one or more of the operating parameters, while maintaining the target power efficiency of the satellite, based at least in part on channel conditions in at least one of the service link, the feeder link, or a combination thereof. Among other advantages, the method disclosed herein may optimize RL communications based on the capabilities of the satellite.