Bridge

A Magellan class ship's bridge during transportation

The Bridge is the primary command and control centre of starships. It provides the command crew with access to all essential ship functions and information—specifically, system status monitoring and control of systems vital to the ship's operation and travel.

Layout and Design

On Magellan Class vessels, the Bridge is a large, circular room dominated by a large forward viewscreen offering a panoramic view outside the ship.

• Command Area: Two command chairs for the Captain and Executive Officer (XO) are positioned centrally, facing the viewscreen.
• Forward Consoles: Consoles for Helm, Science and Tactical personnel are located directly in front of the command chairs.
• Aft Alcoves: A ring of additional consoles lines the aft section of the bridge, intended for other key personnel. Two alcoves are located in the aft region. Currently, there are four stations in this rear ring.
• Holoprojector: A sunken area in the centre of the room houses a large holographic projector, capable of displaying complex data such as navigational maps, sensor readings, and tactical information.
• Entrance: Access to the Bridge is via the main A Deck corridor.

Stations and Consoles

The Bridge features multiple dedicated stations, although not all are currently functional in Starship Simulator.

Command Chairs

Command Chairs

These two central chairs provide seating for the Captain and Executive Officer. Currently, the chairs feature controls integrated into the armrests allow the Captain or XO to:

• Set ship-wide alert conditions - Red Alert, Yellow Alert, etc.
• Control internal lighting modes.
• Change the input source for the Holo-Display.

Helm/Navigation Station

The Helm Station

Located at the central-forward position of the bridge, the Helm station is responsible for managing the ship's movement. Its functions include:

• Manual flight control using RCS thrusters and sublight engines.
• Setting and engaging course using the Autopilot / Auto-navigation system.
• Managing and engaging the FTL drive.
• Receiving coordinates from the sensors station and Holo-Display for navigation.
• Controlling external ship lighting.

Sensors Station

The Sensors Station

Positioned in the port stations, the Sensors console manages the ship's detection and scanning equipment. Key functions include:

• Operating various sensor suites across different ranges:
  • GPS Mode: Displays the entire Milky Way galaxy and the ship's position within it.
  • Long Range: Provides Level 1 data (basic identification) for objects within the current star sector, focussing on selected star systems.
  • Medium Range: Provides Level 2 data (more detailed information) for objects within the current solar system.
  • Short Range: Provides Level 3 data (high detail) for objects the ship is closely approaching or orbiting.
• Displaying sensor information on the console and the central holoprojector.
• Sending target coordinates to the Helm station for navigation.
• Filtering contacts and managing sensor focus.

Communications Station

A communications station (planned as one of the port consoles) is planned for managing all shipboard communication. Intended functions include:

• Contacting planets, stations, and other vessels.
• Maintaining internal ship communications.
• Managing the subspace communication link back to Earth or command headquarters.

Weapons Station

A dedicated station (planned as one of the starboard stations) is planned for managing the ship's offensive systems. Intended functions include:

• Managing and firing ship weaponry.
• Targeting hostile vessels or objects.

Shields Station

A dedicated station (planned as one of the starboard stations) is planned for managing the ship's defence systems. Intended functions include:

• Controlling ship shields.
• Damage control assessment related to combat.
• Monitoring structural integrity and hull stress.

Internal Security

Another planned station (likely one of the aft consoles) will focus on internal ship security. Intended functions include:

• Monitoring internal ship sensors and cameras.
• Tracking crew locations.
• Controlling door access and security lockdowns.
• Managing internal bulkheads.

Environmental Control

This planned station (likely one of the aft consoles) will monitor and manage the ship's life support and internal environment. Intended functions include:

• Monitoring and regulating air pressure, oxygen levels, and temperature across the ship.
• Managing atmospheric filtering and recycling.
• Detecting environmental hazards.

Propulsion Systems

This planned station (one of the aft consoles) would oversee the ship's engines and propulsion systems. Intended functions include:

• Monitoring the performance of the Alcubierre Drive
• Managing resource allocation (e.g., water, waste processing).
• Monitoring structural integrity and hull stress.
• Overseeing day-to-day systems essential for ship function.

Power Systems Console

Positioned in the far aft-starboard consoles, the Power Systems Console oversees the starship's Fusion Reactor and power systems, along with supplies in Cryogenic Storage. Functionality was added to the console during :

• Monitoring output from the Fusion Reactor.
• Monitoring supplies of Cryognic Tanks (Deuterium, Helium-4, Helium-3)
• Managing shipwide power distribution.

Other Features

Power Distribution Panel

Located near the entrance to the Bridge (in the connecting corridor), this panel allows for monitoring and direct control over power distribution for various systems located on A Deck, including Bridge lighting and hardware.

Holoprojector

The Holoprojector

Located in the very centre of the Bridge, this uses the sensors to present a 3D display the ship's location in the galaxy, nearby star systems, stellar objects surrounding stars and visual information such has the habitual zones. The holoprojector is controlled via the control panel in the Captain and XO's chairs, though can currently display targets selected by the Sensors Station.