Navigation

Created by Captain Cian D'Anvers on 01/10/2020 @ 12:15pm

Bearings

Bearings are a set of numerical coordinates used to navigate the ship. The directional coordinate system is based on the center of the ship with the first set of numbers indicating a 360 degree horizontal plane. For example:

000 mark 000 is directly in front of the ship

090 mark 000 is directly starboard

180 mark 000 is directly aft

270 mark 000 is directly port

000 mark 90 is directly above

000 mark 180 is directly aft

000 mark 270 is directly below

090 mark 090 is a 90 degree angle elevation above the ship to port

270 mark 090 is a 90 degree angle elevation below the ship to port

This system is used to describe the location of objects outside of the ship and sometimes to reorient the ship to a different direction relative to its current one.

Headings

Headings are the absolute direction of the ship's flight path. The Directional Coordinate system is based off the center of the galaxy. For example:

000 mark 000 is a course heading directly toward the center of the galaxy

180 mark 000 is any course heading directly away from the center of the galaxy

090 mark 000 is a course parallel to the center of the galaxy on a horizontal plane

000 mark 090 is a course parallel to the center of the galaxy on a vertical plane

270 mark 000 and 000 mark 270 are similar but in opposite directions

Distances

Distances are determined by using the current warp speed of the ship compared to the time it takes light to travel.

Evasive Maneuvers

Course Corrections

Once bearings and heading are entered into the computer and the ship is underway, it is up to the Flight Control officer to continually monitor the course and the corrections the computer is making using the links to the navigational sensors

If necessary, it is possible to override computer control and make manual adjustments. This may be done to alter the direction of travel at the destination or to compensate for unexpected navigational hazards.

Coordination with Tactical for Targeting

This is a vital interaction during battle. Tactical and Flight Control must work together to ensure that the vessel has the minimal exposure to the threat vessel's weapons and maximum exposure to the weapons on the threat vessel. A good Flight Control/Tactical team can tip the scales in a battle where both sides are equally matched. In battles where the ship is outnumbered or outgunned, this coordination can make the difference between life and death.