Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A network node and a user equipment (UE) may establish a connection between the UE and the network node of a non-terrestrial network. The UE may receive, from the network node and based on a type of orbit around Earth of the network node, a first value or the first value and a second value associated with a position or a velocity of the network node relative to a terrestrial-based reference. The UE and the network node may communicate based on the position or the velocity of the network node, or both. In some cases, the position or the velocity of the network node is based on an altitude of the network node, the first value, the second value, and a third value.