A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions, which, when executed on a device having processing capabilities, executes a method performed in a non-terrestrial cellular data communication system comprising a plurality of interconnected base stations, the method comprising:
- storing, at each respective base station of the non-terrestrial cellular data communication system, identifiers of neighboring airborne or spaceborne base stations with which the base station can exchange data,
- periodically, at each respective base station of the non-terrestrial cellular data communication system, update data describing a set of currently neighboring airborne or spaceborne base stations with which the base station can exchange data,
- establishing one or more inter base station communication links with the set of currently neighboring airborne or spaceborne base stations with which the base station can exchange data, and
- establishing inter-payload links over the one or more inter base station communication links.