inertial reference unit

noun

A device which uses the forces applied to a spacecraft or aircraft in order to track its orientation.

Similar
IRUinertial navigation system
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Meanings

nouninertial reference unit (plural inertial reference units)

plural inertial reference units

  1. aircraft; spacecraft; aircraft; spacecraftA device which uses the forces applied to a spacecraft or aircraft in order to track its orientation.
  2. aircraft; spacecraft; aircraft; spacecraftaerospaceSynonym of inertial navigation system.

    Synonyms: IRU, inertial navigation system

Synonyms & antonyms

nounSynonym of inertial navigation system.

Similar
IRUinertial navigation system
Also see
inertial navigation system
Cite this entry
APA

inertial reference unit. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/inertial%20reference%20unit

MLA

“inertial reference unit.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/inertial%20reference%20unit. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “inertial reference unit,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/inertial%20reference%20unit.

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