Abstract Behavior of the coherence length in non-Kolmogorov satellite links is investigated. Equivalent structure constants for non-Kolmogorov spectra are employed in order to make relevant comparisons for different non-Kolmogorov power law exponents. Examining the coherence length versus the non-Kolmogorov power law exponent for different rms wind speeds, zenith angles, link lengths, structure constants and the wavelengths, the coherence length is found to decrease when the non-Kolmogorov power law exponent increases. At a fixed non-Kolmogorov power law exponent, the coherence length is found to decrease as the rms wind speed, the zenith angle or the structure constant increases and the wavelength decreases. As the link length increases, the coherence length decreases for power law exponent values smaller than that for the Kolmogorov case. However, an increase in the link length seems not to cause the coherence length to vary appreciably at power law exponent values larger than the Kolmogorov case power law exponent.