Systems, methods, and apparatuses for a virtual transponder utilizing inband telemetry are disclosed. A disclosed method for a virtual transponder utilizing inband telemetry comprises receiving, by a vehicle, encrypted host commands from a host spacecraft operations center (SOC). The method further comprises receiving, by the vehicle via the host SOC, encrypted hosted commands from a hosted payload (HoP) operation center (HOC). Also, the method comprises reconfiguring a payload on the vehicle according to unencrypted host commands and/or unencrypted hosted commands. In addition, the method comprises transmitting payload data to a host receiving antenna and/or a hosted receiving antenna. In addition, the method comprises transmitting, by a host telemetry transmitter on the vehicle, encrypted host telemetry to the host SOC. Further, the method comprises transmitting, by the payload antenna, encrypted hosted telemetry to the HOC.