A distributed system and method for prefetching objects

An satellite-based internet access includes uses a distributed proxy server that reduces a delay associated with the retrieval of inline objects of web pages. The distributed proxy server includes a first component which runs on the browser side of the satellite link and communicates with web browsers, and a second component which runs on an Internet side of the satellite link and communicates with web servers. When a web page is requested over the satellite link, the second component determines whether the parent file includes any references to inline objects, and prefetches each such inline object. The prefetched objects are transmitted over the satellite link to the first component, which in-turn stores the prefetched objects in a cache and provides the prefetched objects to the requesting web browser. The first component may also block browser requests for prefetched inline objects from unnecessarily being transmitted over the satellite link.