Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) may receive control signaling identifying a configuration of a set of uplink slots for the UE to transmit uplink reference signals to a satellite. The UE may transmit, to the satellite, a set of uplink reference signals on the set of uplink slots according to the configuration. The set of uplink reference signals may include sounding reference signals (SRSs), positioning references signals (PRSs), or both. In some implementations, the UE may transmit the set of uplink reference signals in accordance with one or more timing advance values, where the timing advance values are indicated to the satellite by the UE, pre-configured by the satellite, or both. The UE may then, from a network node, an indication of a position of the UE based on the set of uplink reference signals.