Definition
The reception of radio signals from GPS or other Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellites by an onboard receiver, used to determine the aircraft's position, velocity, and time. In an AHRS, satellite signal reception provides a long-term reference that helps the system correct drift in its inertial sensors and maintain accurate attitude and heading information.
Plain English
The aircraft picking up signals from navigation satellites overhead. Those signals tell the aircraft where it is and help keep its instruments accurate.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of attitude and heading reference systems that use satellite information along with onboard sensors.
Derivation
Satellite comes from the Latin satelles, meaning 'attendant' or 'companion' — something that travels alongside. The word fits because navigation satellites orbit alongside Earth, continuously broadcasting signals to receivers below.
Why Pilots Care
Strong satellite signal reception improves AHRS reliability and reduces the chance of attitude errors during instrument flight.
Intuition Check
Do not assume satellite signal reception means the aircraft is communicating both ways with a satellite. Here it means the aircraft equipment is receiving usable signals from satellites.
Example Sentence 1
After takeoff, the AHRS confirmed good satellite signal reception and the heading display stabilized within seconds.
Example Sentence 2
Temporary loss of satellite signal reception prompted the pilot to cross-check the attitude indicator with the standby instruments.