Spatial-Aware MANO Systems for Efficient Mobility Management of Satellite-Based Non-Terrestrial Networks

Abstract

Integrating cloud native technologies with satellite networks significantly improves the management of distributed space services in 6G. Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) need advanced Management and Orchestrator (MANO) systems to handle dynamic topologies and geographic complexities. Incorporating Geographic Information System (GIS) capabilities into these frameworks provides real-time spatial intelligence and optimized resource distribution across satellite constellations. This work introduces a novel spatial-aware orchestration framework that seamlessly integrates Kubernetes-based satellite deployments with GIS-enhanced MANO systems, addressing a gap where these components have been studied individually but not as an integrated solution. Moreover, the framework leverages real-time spatial intelligence for dynamic resource allocation and mobility management in satellite networks. A key innovations include the use of KEDA for event-driven scaling based on satellite positioning and a Satellite Mobility Manager (SMM) for geolocation-aware adjustments of Virtual Network Functions. Experimental results demonstrate efficient deployment, maintaining CPU usage around 20% on average, with predictable spikes during service launches. Network performance tests show transfer rates reaching up to 130 MB/s when satellites are optimally positioned. These findings confirm the feasibility of GIS-enhanced MANO for satellite networking, providing a strong foundation for future 6G NTNs applications that require precise spatial awareness and agile resource management.

Keywords

• Software defined satellites
• 6G
• satellite communications
• non-terrestrial networks
• mobility management
• management and orchestration