Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. In some examples, a control node may receive, from a movable relay node, a capability message indicating a set of operational parameters for the movable relay node. The control node may determine a location for the movable relay node based on the capability message and may transmit, to the movable relay node, a location message indicating the determined location. The movable relay node may change locations or reconfigure one or more relay devices (e.g., reconfigurable intelligent surfaces) of the movable relay node based on the location message. Accordingly, the control node may use the movable relay node to relay messages between the control node and a second node, which may increase the likelihood of successful communications between the control node and the second node.