Future Trends in Satellite and Space Communication Networking

Dear Colleagues,

Satellite and space communication networking is entering a transformative stage driven by the rapid development of large-scale satellite constellations, inter-satellite links, onboard processing, space–air–ground integrated networks, and emerging 6G-oriented communication systems. As satellite and space infrastructures become increasingly important for global broadband access, Internet of Things services, Earth observation, deep space exploration, emergency communications, maritime and aeronautical connectivity, and mission-critical applications, future space communication networks are expected to provide higher capacity, broader coverage, stronger resilience, lower latency, and more intelligent service support.

However, future satellite and space communication networking still faces significant challenges, including highly dynamic topologies, intermittent connectivity, limited spectrum and orbital resources, heterogeneous network architectures, long propagation delays, complex service demands, and harsh space environments. Addressing these challenges requires innovative network architectures, adaptive communication protocols, intelligent resource management, secure transmission mechanisms, and experimental validation platforms.

This Special Issue aims to collect high-quality research articles and review papers on emerging theories, key technologies, system architectures, optimization methods, and practical applications related to future satellite and space communication networking. Particular attention will be given to forward-looking studies that explore enabling technologies, future trends, and new paradigms for next-generation space communication systems.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Future satellite and space communication network architectures;
• Space–air–ground integrated communication networks;
• Large-scale LEO/MEO/GEO satellite constellations;
• Inter-satellite links and space backbone networks;
• Intelligent routing, topology control, and traffic engineering;
• AI-enabled autonomous communication network management;
• Multi-dimensional resource allocation and orchestration;
• Network slicing and virtualization for satellite communications;
• Secure, resilient, and reliable space communication networking;
• Delay/disruption-tolerant communication networking;
• Satellite edge computing and onboard intelligence;
• Integrated sensing, communication, and computing;
• Digital twin and simulation platforms for space networks;
• Satellite communication networking for 6G and beyond;
• Applications in IoT, Earth observation, deep space exploration, and emergency communications.

Prof. Dr. Mingchuan Yang
Prof. Dr. Lidong Zhu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Electronics is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• satellite communication networking
• space communications
• space–air–ground integration
• autonomous networking
• 6G and beyond