Systems and methods for handover of mobile devices, radio cells and space vehicles for mobile satellite wireless access

A first network node configured for transferring signaling for a first plurality of radio cells from a first earth station to a second earth station, wherein the first plurality of radio cells is supported by a space vehicle (SV), the first network node comprising:

• an external interface configured to communicate with network nodes;
• at least one memory;
• at least one processor coupled to the external interface and the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to:
• transport, via the external interface, first signaling between a first plurality of User Equipments (UEs) and a Core Network at a first time, wherein the first signaling is transported via the SV, the first earth station and the first network node, and wherein the first signaling is transported between the SV and the first plurality of UEs using the first plurality of radio cells;
• cease to transport the first signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network at a second time, wherein the second time is subsequent to the first time;
• and
• enable the transport of second signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time via the SV, the second earth station and a second network node, wherein the second signaling is transported between the SV and the first plurality of UEs using the first plurality of radio cells.

A first network node configured for transferring signaling for a first plurality of radio cells from a first earth station to a second earth station, wherein the first plurality of radio cells is supported by a space vehicle (SV), the first network node comprising:

• means for transporting first signaling between a first plurality of User Equipments (UEs) and a Core Network at a first time, and wherein the first signaling is transported via the SV, the first earth station and the first network node, wherein the first signaling is transported between the SV and the first plurality of UEs using the first plurality of radio cells;
• means for ceasing to transport the first signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network at a second time, wherein the second time is subsequent to the first time;
• and
• means for enabling the transport of second signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time via the SV, the second earth station and a second network node, wherein the second signaling is transported between the SV and the first plurality of UEs using the first plurality of radio cells.

A non-transitory storage medium including program code stored thereon, the program code is operable to configure at least one processor in a first network node for transferring signaling for a first plurality of radio cells from a first earth station to a second earth station, wherein the first plurality of radio cells is supported by a space vehicle (SV), comprising:

• program code to transport first signaling between a first plurality of User Equipments (UEs) and a Core Network at a first time, and wherein the first signaling is transported via the SV, the first earth station and the first network node, wherein the first signaling is transported between the SV and the first plurality of UEs using the first plurality of radio cells;
• program code to cease to transport the first signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network at a second time, wherein the second time is subsequent to the first time;
• and
• program code to enabling the transport of second signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time via the SV, the second earth station and a second network node, wherein the second signaling is transported between the SV and the first plurality of UEs using the first plurality of radio cells.