'satellite-based' originates from modern English as a compound of 'satellite' and 'based'. 'Satellite' ultimately comes from Latin 'satelles', where 'satelles' meant 'attendant' or 'companion'; 'based' is the past participle of 'base', from Old French 'base' (from Greek 'basis') meaning 'foundation'.

'satellite' entered English via French in the 17th century from Latin 'satelles' and came to mean a body orbiting a larger body (and later a man-made object in orbit). 'base' (and its participle 'based') has long meant 'having a foundation or basis'. The compound 'satellite-based' is a 20th-century English formation that became common with the development of artificial satellites and satellite services.

Initially, 'satelles' meant 'attendant/companion'; 'satellite' evolved to mean an orbiting body and then a man-made object in orbit. 'Based' originally related to 'foundation'. Together 'satellite-based' evolved to mean 'having satellites as the basis or means of operation', reflecting technological usage.