Software-based orchestration of communication payloads in satellites. In an embodiment, a payload model of a satellite payload, defined in a data modeling language (e.g., YANG) and representing a configuration for the satellite payload, is received. The configuration specifies a setting for at least one component of the satellite payload. The payload model is translated into one or more satellite commands for configuring the satellite payload according to the configuration represented in the payload model, and the satellite payload is reconfigured using the satellite command(s).