inertial reference

noun

Any of various devices found in airplanes, missiles, satellites, guns, etc. that sense and calculate data such as linear acceleration and turning rate around each axis and which send that data on to other systems.

Similar
IR
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Meanings

noun
  1. aeronauticsAny of various devices found in airplanes, missiles, satellites, guns, etc. that sense and calculate data such as linear acceleration and turning rate around each axis and which send that data on to other systems.

    Moreover, one terminal of M is connected to the inertial reference (IR).

    1974, Jose Behar Cruz, Mac Elwyn Van Valkenburg, Signals in Linear Circuits, page 532
    2 more examples

    This goal leads to an experiment system design which combines hardward from many technology areas: an optical telescope and IR sensors; and advanced angular intertial reference; a flexible multi-level of actuation digital control system; digital tracking processors which incorporate real-time image analysis and a pulsed, diode-pumped solid state tracking laser.

    1995, “The High Altituted Balloon Experiment Demonstration of Acquisition, Tracking, and Pointing Technologies”, in Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports, page 2841

    To address this potential unsafe condistion and as an interim solution, EASA issued Emergency AD 2009-0012-E […] to require implementation of an aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) operation procdure, to isolate both the Inertial Reference (IR) and ADR in case a faulty IR is detected .

    2013, Federal Register - Volume 78, Issue 220, page 68348

    Synonyms: IR

  2. natural sciencesAn inertial frame of reference.

    In spite of the planet is moving along a circular path, it is physically stationary and undergoes no acceleration in the local inertial reference.

    2017, Jacob Schaf, The True Origin of the Gravitational Dynamics, page 71
    2 more examples

    The SSM inertial reference sensors (star trackers (ST) and/or coarse sun sensors (CSS)) are not suitable as a tracking reference for the FSM for two reasons.

    2000, Jim Bernard Breckinridge, Peter Jakobsen, UV, Optical, and IR Space Telescopes and Instruments, page 926

    In order to achieve an inertial line-of-sight angle measurement most EO/IR missiles use gyroscopic motion within their seeker head, so that the gyroscopic inertia (i.e. angular momentum) provides an inertial reference that may be translated into stabilisation.

    2004, David Titterton, John L. Weston, Strapdown Inertial Navigation Technology, page 483

Synonyms & antonyms

nounAny of various devices found in airplanes, missiles, satellites, guns, etc. that sense and calculate data such as linear acceleration and turning rate around each axis and which send that data on to other systems.

Similar
IR
Cite this entry
APA

inertial reference. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/inertial%20reference

MLA

“inertial reference.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/inertial%20reference. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “inertial reference,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/inertial%20reference.

Source: inertial reference on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.