Beacons

"Beacon" is a generic term for any structure (usually a small space station) whose primary purpose is to orient travellers in space by constantly emitting a levoson signal bearing its own galactic coordinates. Starship navigation systems triangulate their positions by listening for the signals these beacons put out.

Beacons are often manned only by a minimal crew of starmap cartographers. They can be instrumental to long-distance travelers.