A computer-implemented method of determining navigation information for an aircraft, comprising: accessing, by one or more processors, a satellite-based positioning signal received at a receiver on an aircraft, the satellite-based positioning signal comprising data indicative of a distance between a satellite and the receiver; identifying, by the one or more processors, from the satellite-based positioning signal a first vector associated with the distance and direction between the satellite and the receiver; characterized by: identifying, by the one or more processors, from the satellite-based positioning signal, a second vector associated with a distance and direction between a reference point and the satellite; generating, by the one or more processors, a kinematic model for determining a geometric position of the aircraft using the first vector and the second vector, the kinematic model based at least in part on an analogy with a robotic arm; and determining, by the one or more processors, navigation information for the aircraft based at least in part on the kinematic model; wherein the aircraft is modeled as an end effector for the robotic arm, the satellite is modeled as a pivot point of the robotic arm, the first vector is modeled as link extending between the pivot point and the end effector, the second vector is modeled as a link extending between a base and the pivot point. accessing, by one or more processors, a satellite-based positioning signal received at a receiver on an aircraft, the satellite-based positioning signal comprising data indicative of a distance between a satellite and the receiver; identifying, by the one or more processors, from the satellite-based positioning signal a first vector associated with the distance and direction between the satellite and the receiver; characterized by: identifying, by the one or more processors, from the satellite-based positioning signal, a second vector associated with a distance and direction between a reference point and the satellite; generating, by the one or more processors, a kinematic model for determining a geometric position of the aircraft using the first vector and the second vector, the kinematic model based at least in part on an analogy with a robotic arm; and determining, by the one or more processors, navigation information for the aircraft based at least in part on the kinematic model; wherein the aircraft is modeled as an end effector for the robotic arm, the satellite is modeled as a pivot point of the robotic arm, the first vector is modeled as link extending between the pivot point and the end effector, the second vector is modeled as a link extending between a base and the pivot point. identifying, by the one or more processors, from the satellite-based positioning signal, a second vector associated with a distance and direction between a reference point and the satellite; generating, by the one or more processors, a kinematic model for determining a geometric position of the aircraft using the first vector and the second vector, the kinematic model based at least in part on an analogy with a robotic arm; and determining, by the one or more processors, navigation information for the aircraft based at least in part on the kinematic model; wherein the aircraft is modeled as an end effector for the robotic arm, the satellite is modeled as a pivot point of the robotic arm, the first vector is modeled as link extending between the pivot point and the end effector, the second vector is modeled as a link extending between a base and the pivot point.