Use The Star Map
Distinguish charted and unknown systems, identify available services, and assess local risk.
Compare Charted And Unknown Systems
A charted system shows its actual name, position, and known celestial bodies.
An unknown system hides its name, coordinates, and number of bodies until your character discovers it.
Every new character starts with Sol fully charted. Use Sol to learn navigation, trade, and services before exploring unknown systems.
Match Services To Location Types
Suns are route landmarks but do not provide shops or other services.
Planets, moons, and dwarf planets may provide markets, shipyards, modules, repairs, and landing zones. Services vary by location.
Waypoints support travel and positioning but provide no shops. Reach a body with the required services before buying supplies or repairing.
Check Security And Threat
Security indicates how strongly lawful traffic is protected. Threat indicates the possible danger from outlaw activity.
A waypoint derives some characteristics from neighboring bodies, but open space is less predictable than a port.
Check both values before transporting valuable cargo or initiating combat. Include attack and repair risks when evaluating a route's profit.