An apparatus and system of enabling reference signal measurements in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) system are described. The UE provides capability information that indicates a maximum number of synchronization signal block (SSB)-based measurement timing configurations (SMTCs) simultaneously supported by the UE for measurement of reference signals from cells in the NTN system and receives SMTCs based on the capability information and a real time estimate of timing differences among the cells. The UE sends/receives data based on the SMTCs and whether the UE supports simultaneous data communication and measurement. Broadcast system information contains a flag that indicates which of dynamic and semi-static configuration is used, the maximum SMTC's dependent on the flag value. Radio resource control (RRC) signalling is used to send sets of SMTCs that have different offsets. Different sets are activated using dynamic signaling according to real time estimates of the timing differences.