The Navigation Branch is responsible for maneuvering the vessel, ensuring it reaches an intended desination and for accurately establishing the vessel's position in space at any given time. Navigation officers operate and maintain the vessel's navigational systems, which are dedicated astronomical sensor systems that use the position of fixed astronomical points (such as stars) in relation to the vessel to establish it's position in space. Charts which identify such fixed astronomical points ("star charts") are maintained by the navigation branch, including the addition of new stars as they fall into navigationally significant range. More detailed charts are maintained which contain information about the position characteristics of planetary and other phenomenon within stellar systems. The discipline of creating and maintaining these charts is referred to as stellar cartography.Navigation officers calculate the necessary speed, directional and superluminal drive characteristics required to reach a desired interstellar destination. This data is entered into the vessel's maneuvering controls (the helm) by quartermaster specialsts, who constantly monitored and adjusted during flight to compensate for variations typical in superluminal flight operaions and localised conditions. Quartermasters also maneuver the vessel during subluminal flight using impulse egine and reaction control systems, including the establishment and maintenance of planetary orbit or during tactical operations. key positions Navigation Officer: reporting to the commanding officer, the navigation officer commands the navigation department aboad a vessel. Assisted by assistant officers, the navigation officer manages navigation systems, mans the navigation station on the bridge and supervises operation of the helm. Chief Quartermaster: the chief quartermaster supervises the vessel's quartermaster team and is usually the most experienced helmsman aboard. The chief quartermaster will usually take the helm during alert conditions. specialisations quartermaster Quartermasters are responsible for operating the vessel's maneuvering controls via the helm or auxiliary control systems, including both subluminal and superluminal flight operations. navigator Navigators are responsible for operating the vessel's position-fixing and course calculation equipment and for the management of stellar charts.