Outer marker

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The outer marker is a location off a battlestar where pilots are to await docking instructions, which prevents congestion and any docking conflicts with other inbound craft (TOS: "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I").

Presumably, the outer marker is located outside of the approach path for other ships as well as a direct path to the landing bay. Fighter craft and shuttles typically land one at a time (Saga of a Star World, et al).