In 0.9a, we can possibly build Comm Relays, Nav Buoys, and/or Sensors within a star system.
However, given the procedural nature of Sector creation, getting to any said star system could be a chore due to Deep Hyperspace Storms (especially now with the "Burn Drive on Storm Hit" mechanic possible throwing you WAY off-course). Once you find a path through hyperspace to key locations (e.g. your faction systems, Level 3 *REDACTED*-infested
farms *ahem* systems, you won't always remember how to get there easily again without flipping back and forth to the map (which can be very rough for finding clear spots in hyperspace).
So, I propose a player being able to build Navigation Beacons/Buoys in hyperspace. They don't do anything other than draw a line between themselves (hopefully player defined...) as a visual navigation aid to the player so they know what path to take to whatever destination the player has mapped out.
If it seems like it won't be much of a gameplay balance issue, the Navigation skill could add some bonuses, like:
- Add an extra burn level when traveling along the marked path (aka corridor)
- Reducing the burn penalty of traveling on a corridor through deep hyperspace
- Locking the benefits to the buoy owner and allies (which would then make then destructible/steal-able, like the in-system stuff; might not be a good "benefit/bonus", but I'm just throwing things out there)
- Any fleet traveling along the corridor is detected (hyperspace traffic control, if you will; perhaps only if their IFF is on)
This would require some sort of interface (probably in Command) to manage the "connections" between Buoys so a player can define the actual paths they want rather than letting the game guess.
I would say it'd be nice to have pre-made marked navigation corridors on sector creation so the player has something to work with early on, but that might be difficult to code into the sector creation script.
On a side note: Having marked navigation corridors would be something pirates and other unscrupulous faction could exploit to raid convoys. Travel down a corridor, minding your own business, when BAM! A pirate fleet lurking in a deep hyperspace cloud jumps you! Or, closer to the core worlds, there are faction patrols along corridors. Could be good or bad depending on your activities.