Navigation

The StarMade universe is vast. Understanding its structure and using the navigation tools efficiently will save you a lot of time.

Universe Structure

The universe is organised into sectors grouped into systems.

Sectors

A sector is the basic unit of space. Your current sector coordinates ([X, Y, Z]) are always displayed at the top of your HUD next to your player name. Each sector can contain:

  • Planets and their surrounding space
  • Asteroid fields
  • Trading stations and NPC structures
  • Other players' ships and bases
  • Empty space

Systems

A system is a 16 × 16 × 16 cube of sectors. A star is usually located near the centre of each system. Resources and encounter types vary depending on how far a sector is from the star.

Distance from the star affects asteroid types. Rare mineral asteroids are more likely to appear in sectors farther from the star.

The Navigation Panel

Press N to open the Navigation Panel. It lists every object in your current and adjacent sectors.

Filters

Use the filter checkboxes to show or hide: - Planets - Asteroids - Stations - Ships (player and NPC) - Jump beacons - Debris

Selecting a Target

Click any entry in the navigation list to select it. A selection indicator appears on your HUD pointing toward the selected object, making it easy to fly to it without having to spot it visually.

Waypoints

To navigate to a specific sector coordinate:

  1. Open the Navigation Panel (N).
  2. Click the Waypoint button.
  3. Enter the [X, Y, Z] coordinates of your destination sector.
  4. A white blinking arrow appears on your HUD pointing toward the waypoint.

Waypoints persist until you remove them. You can use them to mark resource-rich sectors, player bases, or planned routes.

Practical Tips

  • Your starting sector usually contains a Trading Guild station — check the navigation panel immediately to locate it.
  • Asteroid field sectors are clearly visible in space; approach any dark-coloured irregular objects.
  • When travelling long distances, set a waypoint and use full thrust (W held). Ships have a natural speed cap per sector, but there is no global travel limit.
  • You can select an entity in the world directly by looking at it and pressing F — this selects it in the HUD without opening the nav panel.