Network nodes and methods therein for enabling a switch between feeder links for an airbourne or orbital communication node in a non-terrestrial communications network

A first network node for enabling a second feeder link to be established between a second network node and an airborne or orbital communication node in non-terrestrial communications network to handle wireless devices being served by the airborne or orbital communication node, wherein the first network node is handling the wireless devices served by the airborne or orbital communication node over a first feeder link between the first network node and the airborne or orbital communication node, the first network node comprising:

• interface circuitry configured to communicate with at least the second network node;
• and
• processing circuitry operatively coupled to the interface circuitry, the processing circuitry being configured to:
• determine that the wireless devices served by the airborne or orbital communication node are to be handled by the second network node over the second feeder link,
• initiate the second feeder link to be established between the second network node and the airborne or orbital communication node, and
• transmit to the second network node, via the interface circuitry, information indicating that the second network node is to establish the second feeder link towards the airborne or orbital communication node in order to handle the wireless devices being served by the airborne or orbital communication node,
• wherein the information comprises one or more of:
• an identifier of the airborne or orbital communication node,
• a position of the airborne or orbital communication node,
• information indicating a served cell(s) that the first network node is providing through the airborne or orbital communication node,
• CD-SSB frequency locations,
• context information relating to the airborne or orbital communication node;
• and
• a handover message for each wireless device served by the first network node.

A method performed by a second network node for establishing a second feeder link towards an airborne or orbital communication node in non-terrestrial communications network to handle wireless devices being served by the airborne or orbital communication node, wherein a first network node is handling the wireless devices served by the airborne or orbital communication node over a first feeder link between the first network node and the airborne or orbital communication node, the method comprising:

• determining that the wireless devices served by the airborne or orbital communication node are to be handled by the second network node over the second feeder link;
• establishing the second feeder link towards the airborne or orbital communication node;
• and
• transmitting, to the first network node, information indicating that the second network node has established the second feeder link towards the airborne or orbital communication node in order to handle the wireless devices being served by the airborne or orbital communication node,
• wherein the information indicates a served cell(s) that the second network node is providing through the airborne or orbital communication node.

A second network node for establishing a second feeder link towards an airborne or orbital communication node in non-terrestrial communications network to handle wireless devices being served by the airborne or orbital communication node, wherein a first network node is handling the wireless devices served by the airborne or orbital communication node over a first feeder link between the first network node and the airborne or orbital communication node, the second network node comprising:

• interface circuitry configured to communicate with at least the first network node;
• and
• processing circuitry operatively coupled to the interface circuitry, the processing circuitry being configured to:
• determine that the wireless devices served by the airborne or orbital communication node are to be handled by the second network node over the second feeder link,
• establish the second feeder link towards the airborne or orbital communication node, and
• transmit, to the first network node, information indicating that the second network node has established the second feeder link towards the airborne or orbital communication node in order to handle the wireless devices being served by the airborne or orbital communication node,
• wherein the information indicates a served cell(s) that the second network node is providing through the airborne or orbital communication node.