dead reckoning
Navigation without landmarks
Dead reckoning is a method of navigation that estimates current position by tracking direction and distance traveled from a known starting point, without external references like stars or landmarks.
The technique accumulates error over time, since each calculation builds on the last.
Figuratively, dead reckoning describes any reasoning from incomplete information: Without data, we're navigating by dead reckoning.
Wind-propelled water travel
- marinerOne who navigates ships
- shipSeagoing transport vessel
- sextantMaritime angular measurement device
- knotsSecured loops in rope
longitude · latitude · quadrant · helm · nautical · seafaring · ocean · voyage
Planned path forward
- bearingPosture or orientation
- headingDirectional course traveled
- positionLocation or stance
- plottingDevising a secret plan
trajectory · waypoint · compass · chart · logbook · pilotage · odometer · speed
Near but inexact value
- calculationMathematical problem-solving process
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- extrapolationExtending data beyond bounds
guesstimate · conjecture · deduction · heuristics · judgment · measurement · guesswork · interpolation
Lack of exactness
- driftGradual movement, no direction
- inaccuracyLack of precision
- deviationDeparture from expected path
- margin of errorAllowable deviation from truth
approximation · unreliability · discrepancy · tolerance · ambiguity
Instrument measuring elevation
- airspeedAircraft's atmospheric velocity
- groundspeedRate across terrain
- flightAerial journey by aircraft
- cockpitPilot's control compartment
pilot · instrument · crosswind · flight path · aeronautical · VFR · IFR
Organized exploratory journey
- unchartedNot yet documented
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- pathfinderOne who discovers routes
wilderness · frontier · discovery · territory · explorer · orienteering · wayfinding · bushcraft
sailing
Wind-propelled water travel
- marinerOne who navigates ships
- shipSeagoing transport vessel
- sextantMaritime angular measurement device
knots · longitude · latitude · quadrant · helm · nautical · seafaring · ocean · voyage · starboard
course
Planned path forward
plotting · trajectory · waypoint · compass · chart · logbook · pilotage · odometer · speed · distance
approximation
Near but inexact value
- calculationMathematical problem-solving process
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
- projectionSomething that extends outward
extrapolation · guesstimate · conjecture · deduction · heuristics · judgment · measurement · guesswork · interpolation · assumption
imprecision
Lack of exactness
- driftGradual movement, no direction
- inaccuracyLack of precision
- deviationDeparture from expected path
margin of error · approximation · unreliability · discrepancy · tolerance · ambiguity
altimeter
Instrument measuring elevation
- airspeedAircraft's atmospheric velocity
- groundspeedRate across terrain
- flightAerial journey by aircraft
cockpit · pilot · instrument · crosswind · flight path · aeronautical · VFR · IFR
expedition
Organized exploratory journey
- unchartedNot yet documented
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
pathfinder · wilderness · frontier · discovery · territory · explorer · orienteering · wayfinding · bushcraft · backcountry
- Maritime ExplorationColumbus, Magellan, voyage, navigator, Age of Discovery
- nauticalanchor, anchor chain, anchors, boat, boats
- roboticsrobot, android, humanoid, robotic arm, servo
- seafaringship, sailors, ships, sail, sailor
- navigationcompass, compass rose, signs, charts, navbar
- navigation termsnautical charts, GPS, north, road signs, maps
dead reckoningGPS navigation
Satellite-based directional system
satellite navigation · celestial navigation · radio navigation · triangulation · pilotage
deadly, reckoning, deaden, deadened, dead, deadliness, dead center, dead ahead