Paper
From Connectivity to Multi-Orbit Intelligence: Space-Based Data Center Architectures for 6G and Beyond
Authors
Shimaa Naser, Maryam Tariq, Raneem Abdel-Rahim, De Mi, Azzam Mourad, Hadi Otrok, Mahmoud Al-Qutayri, Ayman Elnashar, Sami Muhaidat
Abstract
Direct handset-to-satellite (DHTS) communication is emerging as a core capability of 6G non-terrestrial networks, enabling standard devices to directly access low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. While LEO provides the physical access layer for DHTS, large-scale device connectivity introduces challenges in mobility management, interference control, spectrum efficiency, and constellation-wide coordination. Relay-only LEO architectures are insufficient to manage massive handset access under dynamic traffic and energy constraints. This article introduces a hierarchical architecture in which direct handset-to-LEO access is supported by multi-orbit space-based data centers (SBDCs) spanning LEO, medium Earth orbit (MEO), and geostationary Earth orbit (GEO). In this framework, LEO satellites handle radio access and real-time inference, while higher orbital layers provide regional aggregation, global orchestration, and compute-aware routing. By embedding distributed in-orbit computing, energy-aware scheduling, and AI-driven hierarchical control, the constellation evolves from a passive relay network into an intelligent multi-layer system capable of supporting large-scale DHTS services. We discuss key enabling technologies, envisioned multi-orbit integrated Earth-space compute architecture, and open research challenges in integrating multi-orbit computing, highlighting pathways toward scalable and resilient 6G DHTS networks.
Metadata
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Raw Data (Debug)
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"raw_xml": "<entry>\n <id>http://arxiv.org/abs/2603.18601v1</id>\n <title>From Connectivity to Multi-Orbit Intelligence: Space-Based Data Center Architectures for 6G and Beyond</title>\n <updated>2026-03-19T08:17:25Z</updated>\n <link href='https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.18601v1' rel='alternate' type='text/html'/>\n <link href='https://arxiv.org/pdf/2603.18601v1' rel='related' title='pdf' type='application/pdf'/>\n <summary>Direct handset-to-satellite (DHTS) communication is emerging as a core capability of 6G non-terrestrial networks, enabling standard devices to directly access low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. While LEO provides the physical access layer for DHTS, large-scale device connectivity introduces challenges in mobility management, interference control, spectrum efficiency, and constellation-wide coordination. Relay-only LEO architectures are insufficient to manage massive handset access under dynamic traffic and energy constraints. This article introduces a hierarchical architecture in which direct handset-to-LEO access is supported by multi-orbit space-based data centers (SBDCs) spanning LEO, medium Earth orbit (MEO), and geostationary Earth orbit (GEO). In this framework, LEO satellites handle radio access and real-time inference, while higher orbital layers provide regional aggregation, global orchestration, and compute-aware routing. By embedding distributed in-orbit computing, energy-aware scheduling, and AI-driven hierarchical control, the constellation evolves from a passive relay network into an intelligent multi-layer system capable of supporting large-scale DHTS services. We discuss key enabling technologies, envisioned multi-orbit integrated Earth-space compute architecture, and open research challenges in integrating multi-orbit computing, highlighting pathways toward scalable and resilient 6G DHTS networks.</summary>\n <category scheme='http://arxiv.org/schemas/atom' term='cs.ET'/>\n <published>2026-03-19T08:17:25Z</published>\n <arxiv:primary_category term='cs.ET'/>\n <author>\n <name>Shimaa Naser</name>\n </author>\n <author>\n <name>Maryam Tariq</name>\n </author>\n <author>\n <name>Raneem Abdel-Rahim</name>\n </author>\n <author>\n <name>De Mi</name>\n </author>\n <author>\n <name>Azzam Mourad</name>\n </author>\n <author>\n <name>Hadi Otrok</name>\n </author>\n <author>\n <name>Mahmoud Al-Qutayri</name>\n </author>\n <author>\n <name>Ayman Elnashar</name>\n </author>\n <author>\n <name>Sami Muhaidat</name>\n </author>\n </entry>"
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