Just in front of, and to the left of, the Command Station is
Navigation. It is continuously manned except when the ship is moored, in
orbit for an extended period, or in "cold iron" status.
In the center of the Console is the Main Course Plot. A small
holographic screen projects the calculated course as entered and
indicates the position and course of other ships in the immediate area.
The location of all star systems, starbases, and buoys is also
displayed. Navigational hazards are indicated in red. A small screen on
the left side of the Console provides a close-up view of any
navigational hazard and can be directed to enlarge any portion of the
Main Course Plot as desired.
Another small screen on the extreme right of the Console can be
adjusted to show an exterior view of the ship from any externally
mounted Visual Sensor Unit (VSU). If necessary, up to four different
VSUs can be displayed simultaneously.
Should the Helm or Weapons consoles become inoperative, the
Navigation Console has back-up weapons and thruster unit controls. In
such a case, the exterior view screen is automatically shifted to
provide Tactical Plot or Weapons status capability as appropriate.