feat(game): Stellaris-style single-ship control with real flight physics

The player ship was never wired to its own movement systems — it lacked
MaxSpeed/TurnRate (so steer_to_target skipped it) and the Player marker
(so click-to-move skipped it). Only integrate_velocity matched, leaving
the ship drifting on a hardcoded undock vector and ignoring all input.
Left-click was also bound to camera drag, selection, and move at once,
and "Approach" started a cosmetic timer that moved nothing.

New control scheme (single ship, like Stellaris minus fleet selection):
- Right-click issues a move order (was left-click, which conflicted
  with selection + camera drag).
- Left-click cursor-selects the target under the cursor (was
  nearest-to-camera) and deselects on empty space.
- "Approach" now actually flies to the selected target, homing onto it
  via ApproachTarget even as it orbits.
- Smooth acceleration + stopping-distance arrival deceleration +
  turn-rate-limited banking replace instant velocity snapping.
- A pulsing destination waypoint ring gives on-world move-order feedback.
- Undock holds position (zero velocity + at-ship MoveTarget) instead of
  drifting off on a stale vector.
- Follow-cam now allows free-look rotate/zoom so the player can find
  and click targets while the camera tracks the ship.

Steering is shared: the player ship and AI ships use one physics model.
AI spawn bundle gets the new required components (Acceleration,
ArrivalRadius).

Also fixes a B0001 panic in the destination-marker system: the marker
query now carries Without<PlayerShip> so it is provably disjoint from
the player Transform read.

Includes the in-system action-panel rebuild-on-change optimization
(buttons and their Interaction state persist between frames so clicks
register), which the Approach/Dock flow depends on.

Flight tuning lives in in_system/scene.rs (PLAYER_MAX_SPEED,
PLAYER_ACCELERATION, PLAYER_TURN_RATE, PLAYER_ARRIVAL_RADIUS).

apps/game/src/camera.rs

@@ -245,9 +245,13 @@ pub fn orbit_camera_control(
         return;
     };
 
-    // Free-look input is allowed in Orbit framing, or in any framing while the
-    // cinematic overlay is on.
-    let allow_input = dynamics.state.mode.is_orbit() || dynamics.cinematic.active;
+    // Free-look input (drag = rotate, scroll = zoom) is allowed in every
+    // framing. In Follow the orbit target is still locked to the ship by
+    // `track_camera_target`, so the camera orbits *around* the ship while the
+    // player controls the angle/zoom — the Stellaris-style follow cam. The
+    // cinematic overlay additionally hides the HUD.
+    let allow_input = matches!(dynamics.state.mode, CameraMode::Orbit | CameraMode::Follow)
+        || dynamics.cinematic.active;
 
     let cursor_over_ui = primary_window
         .single()

apps/game/src/gameplay/ai/spawning.rs

@@ -8,7 +8,9 @@ use bevy::prelude::*;
 use crate::gameplay::ai::{AiState, BehaviorState};
 use crate::gameplay::galaxy::{Identifiable, StarSystem};
 use crate::gameplay::in_system::ActiveSystem;
-use crate::gameplay::movement::components::{MaxSpeed, TurnRate, Velocity};
+use crate::gameplay::movement::components::{
+    Acceleration, ArrivalRadius, MaxSpeed, TurnRate, Velocity,
+};
 
 /// Metadata for spawned NPCs.
 #[derive(Component, Debug, Clone)]
@@ -241,6 +243,8 @@ fn spawn_npc(
         // Movement components
         MaxSpeed(50.0),
         TurnRate(2.0),
+        Acceleration(30.0),
+        ArrivalRadius(2.0),
         Velocity::default(),
 
         // Visual representation (simple cone for now)

apps/game/src/gameplay/in_system/actions.rs

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 use bevy::prelude::*;
 
-use super::{DockedState, FlightState, SelectedTarget};
+use super::{DockedState, SelectedTarget};
 use super::scene::PlayerShip;
 use super::target::TargetKind;
 
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ pub struct ContextualActionPlugin;
 impl Plugin for ContextualActionPlugin {
     fn build(&self, app: &mut App) {
         app.add_event::<ActionTriggeredEvent>()
+            .init_resource::<ActionPanelCache>()
             .add_systems(
                 Update,
                 (
@@ -73,6 +74,26 @@ impl Plugin for ContextualActionPlugin {
 #[derive(Component)]
 pub struct ActionUi;
 
+/// Cached description of the action set currently shown on the panel.
+///
+/// [`update_contextual_actions`] only rebuilds the buttons when this changes,
+/// so the button entities (and their [`Interaction`] state) persist between
+/// frames and clicks actually register. Rebuilding every frame would despawn
+/// the pressed button before [`handle_action_buttons`] can read it — which is
+/// why the undock button previously did nothing.
+#[derive(Resource, Default)]
+struct ActionPanelCache {
+    signature: Option<ActionSignature>,
+}
+
+/// The inputs that determine which buttons to show.
+#[derive(PartialEq)]
+struct ActionSignature {
+    is_docked: bool,
+    /// `(kind, name)` of the selected target, if any.
+    target: Option<(TargetKind, String)>,
+}
+
 /// Marker for action button entities.
 #[derive(Component)]
 pub struct ActionButton {
@@ -80,7 +101,11 @@ pub struct ActionButton {
 }
 
 /// Setup action UI panel.
-fn setup_action_ui(mut commands: Commands) {
+fn setup_action_ui(mut commands: Commands, mut cache: ResMut<ActionPanelCache>) {
+    // Reset the cached signature so the buttons are rebuilt to match this
+    // fresh panel on the next update.
+    cache.signature = None;
+
     commands
         .spawn((
             Node {
@@ -114,44 +139,62 @@ fn setup_action_ui(mut commands: Commands) {
         });
 }
 
-/// Update contextual actions based on current state.
+/// Update the contextual action buttons to match the player's current state.
+///
+/// The buttons are rebuilt **only when the action context changes** (docked ↔
+/// flying, or the selected target changes). Rebuilding every frame would
+/// recreate each button entity and reset its [`Interaction`] before
+/// [`handle_action_buttons`] can observe a click — which is why the undock
+/// button previously did nothing. By keeping the buttons stable between
+/// changes, button presses register correctly.
 fn update_contextual_actions(
     docked_state: Res<DockedState>,
-    player_query: Query<(Entity, Option<&SelectedTarget>, Option<&FlightState>), With<PlayerShip>>,
+    player_query: Query<Option<&SelectedTarget>, With<PlayerShip>>,
     action_ui_query: Query<(Entity, &Children), With<ActionUi>>,
     mut commands: Commands,
+    mut cache: ResMut<ActionPanelCache>,
 ) {
-    let Ok((player_entity, selected_target, flight_state)) = player_query.single() else {
+    let Ok(selected_target) = player_query.single() else {
         return;
     };
 
-    // Determine available actions based on state
-    let actions = get_available_actions(&docked_state, selected_target, flight_state);
+    let signature = ActionSignature {
+        is_docked: docked_state.is_docked,
+        target: selected_target.map(|t| (t.kind, t.name.clone())),
+    };
+
+    // Nothing to do — the on-screen buttons already match the current context,
+    // so leave them (and their Interaction state) untouched.
+    if cache.signature.as_ref() == Some(&signature) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    let actions = get_available_actions(&docked_state, selected_target);
 
-    // Update UI
     let Ok((ui_entity, children)) = action_ui_query.single() else {
         return;
     };
 
-    // Clear existing action buttons (keep the title)
+    // Clear existing action buttons (keep the title).
     for child in children.iter().skip(1) {
         commands.entity(child).despawn();
     }
 
-    // Spawn new action buttons
+    // Spawn the new action buttons.
     let mut new_actions = actions;
     commands.entity(ui_entity).with_children(|parent| {
         for action in new_actions.drain(..) {
             spawn_action_button(parent, action);
         }
     });
+
+    cache.signature = Some(signature);
 }
 
 /// Get available actions based on current state.
 fn get_available_actions(
     docked_state: &DockedState,
     selected_target: Option<&SelectedTarget>,
-    flight_state: Option<&FlightState>,
 ) -> Vec<ContextualAction> {
     let mut actions = Vec::new();
 

apps/game/src/gameplay/in_system/flight.rs

@@ -3,16 +3,21 @@
 //! Handles the transition from docked to active flight mode, including
 //! ship controls, camera transitions, and flight state management.
 //!
-//! Navigation is point-and-click tactical mode: select targets and click
-//! "Approach" to auto-navigate. No WASD controls.
+//! Navigation is Stellaris-style point-and-order: right-click (or the
+//! "Approach" action on a selected target) issues a move order, and the
+//! movement systems fly the ship there with smooth acceleration and arrival.
+//! No WASD / direct throttle control — the player sets intent, the ship flies.
+
+use std::f32::consts::FRAC_PI_2;
 
 use bevy::prelude::*;
 
 use crate::camera::{CameraState, CameraMode, OrbitFocusGoal};
-use crate::gameplay::movement::components::{Velocity, MoveTarget};
+use crate::gameplay::movement::components::{Velocity, MoveTarget, ApproachTarget};
+use crate::gameplay::movement::input::MoveOrderEvent;
 use crate::gameplay::galaxy::Identifiable;
 use super::{DockedState, UndockEvent};
-use super::scene::{Docked, PlayerShip};
+use super::scene::{Docked, InSystemSpawned, PlayerShip};
 
 /// Flight state component attached to the player ship when actively flying.
 #[derive(Component, Debug, Clone, Default)]
@@ -40,6 +45,7 @@ impl Plugin for FlightControlsPlugin {
                     handle_undock,
                     handle_docking,
                     flight_input_system,
+                    sync_destination_marker,
                 ).run_if(in_state(crate::state::AppState::InGame)),
             );
     }
@@ -52,29 +58,32 @@ fn handle_undock(
     mut docked_state: ResMut<DockedState>,
     mut camera_state: ResMut<CameraState>,
     mut focus_goal: ResMut<OrbitFocusGoal>,
-    player_query: Query<Entity, (With<PlayerShip>, With<Docked>)>,
+    player_query: Query<(Entity, &Transform), (With<PlayerShip>, With<Docked>)>,
 ) {
     for event in events.read() {
         bevy::log::info!("Handling undock from station {:?}", event.station_entity);
 
         // Find player ship
-        let Ok(player_entity) = player_query.single() else {
+        let Ok((player_entity, ship_transform)) = player_query.single() else {
             bevy::log::warn!("No docked player ship found");
             continue;
         };
 
-        // Remove docked component
+        // Remove docked component.
         commands.entity(player_entity).remove::<Docked>();
 
-        // Add flight state with initial velocity away from station
-        let initial_speed = 10.0; // Start with slow drift
+        // Enter flight holding position: zero velocity and a MoveTarget at the
+        // ship's current location. The steering system sees a zero-distance
+        // target and holds still, so the ship waits for the player's first
+        // order instead of drifting off on a stale vector.
+        let ship_pos = ship_transform.translation;
         commands.entity(player_entity).insert((
             FlightState {
                 is_flying: true,
-                current_speed: initial_speed,
+                current_speed: 0.0,
             },
-            Velocity(Vec3::new(0.0, 0.0, -1.0) * initial_speed),
-            MoveTarget(Vec3::new(0.0, 0.0, -50.0)), // Initial target away from station
+            Velocity(Vec3::ZERO),
+            MoveTarget(ship_pos),
             super::SelectedTarget {
                 entity: Entity::PLACEHOLDER,
                 kind: super::TargetKind::Manual,
@@ -130,7 +139,7 @@ fn handle_docking(
         });
         commands
             .entity(event.ship)
-            .remove::<(FlightState, Velocity, MoveTarget, super::SelectedTarget)>();
+            .remove::<(FlightState, Velocity, MoveTarget, ApproachTarget, super::SelectedTarget)>();
 
         // Update docked state resource
         docked_state.dock_at(event.station);
@@ -152,18 +161,15 @@ fn handle_docking(
     }
 }
 
-/// Flight input system: point-and-click navigation only.
-///
-/// This system handles updating the flight state based on movement.
-/// Actual navigation is handled by click-to-move (setting MoveTarget)
-/// and the kinematic systems (steer_to_target, integrate_velocity).
-///
-/// This is a minimal system - the real action happens in the movement systems.
+/// Flight input system: mirrors the ship's live speed into [`FlightState`] so
+/// the HUD speed readout reflects the actual acceleration / arrival profile.
+/// The real navigation happens in the movement systems (right-click →
+/// [`MoveTarget`], `steer_to_target`, `integrate_velocity`).
 fn flight_input_system(
     mut player_query: Query<(&Velocity, &mut FlightState), With<PlayerShip>>,
     docked_state: Res<DockedState>,
 ) {
-    // Only process flight input when not docked
+    // Nothing to mirror while docked.
     if docked_state.is_docked {
         return;
     }
@@ -172,6 +178,118 @@ fn flight_input_system(
         return;
     };
 
-    // Update current speed from actual velocity
+    // Update current speed from actual velocity.
     flight_state.current_speed = velocity.0.length();
 }
+
+// ── Destination waypoint marker ─────────────────────────────────────────
+// A ground-plane ring shown at the player's [`MoveTarget`] while flying, so
+// every move order has clear on-world feedback (Stellaris shows a move order
+// pip the same way). It pulses continuously and “punches” outward on each new
+// order via [`MoveOrderEvent`]. Hidden on arrival / dock / no target.
+
+/// Y of the orbital plane the marker sits on.
+const MARKER_PLANE_Y: f32 = 0.0;
+/// Ship-to-target distance at which the marker hides (ship has arrived).
+const MARKER_HIDE_RADIUS: f32 = 2.0;
+/// Continuous pulse frequency (radians/sec).
+const MARKER_PULSE_FREQ: f32 = 4.0;
+/// How fast the per-order punch decays (units/sec).
+const MARKER_PUNCH_DECAY: f32 = 2.5;
+
+/// The on-world destination waypoint. `punch` is a 0..1 value that spikes to 1
+/// on each new move order and decays, driving an extra scale kick.
+#[derive(Component)]
+struct DestinationMarker {
+    punch: f32,
+}
+
+/// Spawn the (initially hidden) waypoint ring. Tagged [`InSystemSpawned`] so
+/// the scene teardown cleans it up on exit.
+fn spawn_destination_marker(
+    commands: &mut Commands,
+    meshes: &mut Assets<Mesh>,
+    materials: &mut Assets<StandardMaterial>,
+) -> Entity {
+    commands
+        .spawn((
+            DestinationMarker { punch: 0.0 },
+            InSystemSpawned,
+            Mesh3d(meshes.add(Torus::new(0.7, 0.9).mesh())),
+            MeshMaterial3d(materials.add(StandardMaterial {
+                base_color: Color::srgb(0.30, 0.72, 0.45),
+                emissive: LinearRgba::new(0.10, 0.34, 0.22, 1.0),
+                unlit: true,
+                ..default()
+            })),
+            // Lay the torus flat on the orbital plane.
+            Transform::from_rotation(Quat::from_rotation_x(FRAC_PI_2)),
+            Visibility::Hidden,
+            InheritedVisibility::default(),
+        ))
+        .id()
+}
+
+/// Keep the waypoint ring synced to the player's [`MoveTarget`] while flying.
+///
+/// - Visible + positioned at the target while the ship is flying and has not
+///   yet arrived.
+/// - Pulses continuously and kicks outward on each [`MoveOrderEvent`].
+/// - Hidden once the ship is within [`MARKER_HIDE_RADIUS`], or when docked / no
+///   active move target.
+fn sync_destination_marker(
+    mut commands: Commands,
+    mut meshes: ResMut<Assets<Mesh>>,
+    mut materials: ResMut<Assets<StandardMaterial>>,
+    time: Res<Time>,
+    mut orders: EventReader<MoveOrderEvent>,
+    player: Query<(&Transform, &MoveTarget), (With<PlayerShip>, With<FlightState>)>,
+    mut marker: Query<
+        (&mut Transform, &mut Visibility, &mut DestinationMarker),
+        Without<PlayerShip>,
+    >,
+) {
+    let dt = time.delta_secs();
+    let new_order = orders.read().last().is_some();
+
+    let flying = player.single().ok();
+
+    // Decide where the marker should be and whether to show it.
+    let (target_pos, show) = match flying {
+        Some((ship_tf, move_target)) => {
+            let arrived = ship_tf.translation.distance(move_target.0) <= MARKER_HIDE_RADIUS;
+            let pos = Vec3::new(move_target.0.x, MARKER_PLANE_Y, move_target.0.z);
+            (pos, !arrived)
+        }
+        None => (Vec3::ZERO, false),
+    };
+
+    // Ensure a marker entity exists, then update it.
+    if marker.is_empty() {
+        if !show {
+            return; // nothing to show and nothing to update
+        }
+        spawn_destination_marker(&mut commands, &mut meshes, &mut materials);
+    }
+
+    let Ok((mut transform, mut visibility, mut marker)) = marker.single_mut() else {
+        return;
+    };
+
+    transform.translation = target_pos;
+
+    // Continuous gentle pulse + a decaying kick on fresh orders.
+    if new_order {
+        marker.punch = 1.0;
+    } else {
+        marker.punch = (marker.punch - dt * MARKER_PUNCH_DECAY).max(0.0);
+    }
+    let pulse = 1.0 + 0.08 * (time.elapsed_secs() * MARKER_PULSE_FREQ).sin();
+    let kick = 1.0 + marker.punch * 0.6;
+    transform.scale = Vec3::splat(pulse * kick);
+
+    let target_vis = if show { Visibility::Visible } else { Visibility::Hidden };
+    if *visibility != target_vis {
+        *visibility = target_vis;
+    }
+}

apps/game/src/gameplay/in_system/flight_ui.rs

@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ fn spawn_status_panel(commands: &mut Commands) {
                 TextColor(TEXT_BRIGHT),
             ));
             panel.spawn((
-                Text::new("Click: Set destination\nOrbit camera: Drag to rotate"),
+                Text::new("Right-click: Move order\nLeft-click: Select target\nDrag: Rotate camera"),
                 TextFont {
                     font_size: 11.0,
                     ..default()

apps/game/src/gameplay/in_system/mod.rs

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ use bevy::ecs::system::SystemParam;
 use bevy::prelude::*;
 
 use crate::state::AppState;
+use crate::gameplay::movement::components::{ApproachTarget, MoveTarget};
 
 pub use docked::{DockedState, UndockEvent};
 pub use flight::{FlightState, FlightControlsPlugin};
@@ -82,6 +83,7 @@ fn handle_action_triggered(
     mut events: EventReader<ActionTriggeredEvent>,
     player_query: Query<Entity, With<scene::PlayerShip>>,
     selected_target_query: Query<&SelectedTarget, With<scene::PlayerShip>>,
+    global_transforms: Query<&GlobalTransform>,
     mut dispatch: ActionDispatch,
 ) {
     let Ok(player_entity) = player_query.single() else {
@@ -103,7 +105,24 @@ fn handle_action_triggered(
                 );
             }
             ActionType::Approach => {
-                if let Ok(selected) = selected_target_query.single() {
+                // Navigate to the selected target via the movement system.
+                // `ApproachTarget` makes the ship home onto the target even as
+                // it orbits; `track_approach_target` refreshes `MoveTarget`
+                // every frame until the ship arrives.
+                let Ok(selected) = selected_target_query.single() else {
+                    bevy::log::info!("Approach with no selected target");
+                    continue;
+                };
+                match global_transforms.get(selected.entity) {
+                    Ok(gt) => {
+                        commands
+                            .entity(player_entity)
+                            .insert(ApproachTarget(selected.entity))
+                            .insert(MoveTarget(gt.translation()));
+                        // Track the approach as a timed operation too. It drives
+                        // no movement itself (the movement systems do that) but
+                        // keeps the operation pipeline consistent and available
+                        // for an ETA/progress readout.
                         operations::start_travel(
                             &mut commands,
                             player_entity,
@@ -112,6 +131,15 @@ fn handle_action_triggered(
                             &mut dispatch.started,
                             now_ms,
                         );
+                        bevy::log::info!("Approaching {}", selected.name);
+                    }
+                    Err(_) => {
+                        bevy::log::warn!(
+                            "Approach target {:?} ({}) has no GlobalTransform",
+                            selected.entity,
+                            selected.name
+                        );
+                    }
                 }
             }
             ActionType::Dock => {

apps/game/src/gameplay/in_system/scene.rs

@@ -13,6 +13,9 @@ use crate::gameplay::galaxy::{
     SystemContents,
 };
 use crate::gameplay::in_system::DockedState;
+use crate::gameplay::movement::components::{
+    Acceleration, ArrivalRadius, MaxSpeed, Player, TurnRate,
+};
 use crate::gameplay::physics::{BodyMass, ProximitySensor};
 
 /// Tracks the currently active system for gameplay.
@@ -56,6 +59,15 @@ const PLAYER_COLLIDER_RADIUS: f32 = 0.15;
 /// `ProximityEvent`s.
 const PLAYER_SCAN_RADIUS: f32 = 8.0;
 
+// ── Flight-physics tuning ───────────────────────────────────────────────
+// Stellaris-leaning feel: a stately top speed, brisk acceleration so stops
+// feel responsive, and a moderate turn rate so the ship banks visibly without
+// pivoting on a dime. All inert while docked.
+const PLAYER_MAX_SPEED: f32 = 40.0;
+const PLAYER_ACCELERATION: f32 = 40.0;
+const PLAYER_TURN_RATE: f32 = 2.5;
+const PLAYER_ARRIVAL_RADIUS: f32 = 1.5;
+
 /// Represents a docking target (either a station or a habitable planet).
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
 struct DockingTargetInfo {
@@ -360,6 +372,17 @@ fn spawn_player_ship_docked(
     let ship_entity = commands
         .spawn((
             PlayerShip,
+            // Canonical movement marker. The flight input + steering systems
+            // key off this (not `PlayerShip`, an in-system-only concept) so the
+            // movement module stays self-contained.
+            Player,
+            // Flight-physics tuning. Inert while docked — the ship has no
+            // Velocity or MoveTarget until undock — so they're safe to attach
+            // up front and keep the dock → flight transition a pure add.
+            MaxSpeed(PLAYER_MAX_SPEED),
+            TurnRate(PLAYER_TURN_RATE),
+            Acceleration(PLAYER_ACCELERATION),
+            ArrivalRadius(PLAYER_ARRIVAL_RADIUS),
             Docked {
                 station_entity: Entity::PLACEHOLDER, // Will be set when we find the actual station
             },

apps/game/src/gameplay/in_system/target.rs

@@ -4,8 +4,14 @@
 //! for point-and-click navigation.
 
 use bevy::prelude::*;
+use bevy::ui::ComputedNode;
 use bevy::window::PrimaryWindow;
 use super::scene::PlayerShip;
+use crate::ui::util::cursor_over_ui;
+
+/// Screen-space pick radius (logical px). A click within this many pixels of a
+/// targetable's projected position selects it.
+const PICK_RADIUS_PX: f32 = 40.0;
 
 /// The kind of target being selected.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
@@ -55,16 +61,22 @@ impl Plugin for TargetSelectionPlugin {
     }
 }
 
-/// Handle target selection via click events.
+/// Handle target selection via left-click.
+///
+/// Picks the targetable whose screen-space position is closest to the cursor
+/// (within [`PICK_RADIUS_PX`]) — i.e. what you actually clicked, not whatever
+/// is nearest the camera. Clicking empty space deselects (Stellaris-style),
+/// and clicks over UI panels are ignored so button presses never re-select.
 fn handle_target_selection(
     mouse_input: Res<ButtonInput<MouseButton>>,
     primary_window: Query<&Window, With<PrimaryWindow>>,
     camera_query: Query<(&Camera, &GlobalTransform), With<crate::camera::MainCamera>>,
     targetable_query: Query<(Entity, &Targetable, &GlobalTransform)>,
+    ui_nodes: Query<(&ComputedNode, &GlobalTransform)>,
     mut events: EventWriter<TargetSelectedEvent>,
     mut player_query: Query<&mut SelectedTarget, With<PlayerShip>>,
 ) {
-    // Only handle left clicks
+    // Only handle left clicks.
     if !mouse_input.just_pressed(MouseButton::Left) {
         return;
     }
@@ -72,48 +84,49 @@ fn handle_target_selection(
     let Ok(window) = primary_window.single() else {
         return;
     };
-
+    if cursor_over_ui(window, &ui_nodes) {
+        return;
+    }
     let Some(cursor_pos) = window.cursor_position() else {
         return;
     };
-
     let Ok((camera, camera_gt)) = camera_query.single() else {
         return;
     };
 
-    // Check for clicks on targetable entities using raycasting
-    let mut closest_target: Option<(Entity, TargetKind, String, f32)> = None;
-    let mut closest_distance = f32::MAX;
-
+    // Find the targetable closest to the cursor in screen space.
+    let mut closest: Option<(Entity, &Targetable, f32)> = None;
     for (entity, targetable, global_transform) in targetable_query.iter() {
-        let target_pos = global_transform.translation();
-        let distance = camera_gt.translation().distance(target_pos);
-
-        // Simple distance-based selection for now
-        // In a full implementation, you'd use proper raycasting with bounding volumes
-        if distance < closest_distance && distance < 100.0 {
-            // Within 100 units
-            closest_distance = distance;
-            closest_target = Some((entity, targetable.kind, targetable.name.clone(), distance));
+        let Ok(screen_pos) =
+            camera.world_to_viewport(camera_gt, global_transform.translation())
+        else {
+            continue;
+        };
+        let dist = screen_pos.distance(cursor_pos);
+        if dist <= PICK_RADIUS_PX && closest.map_or(true, |(_, _, best)| dist < best) {
+            closest = Some((entity, targetable, dist));
         }
     }
 
-    // If we found a target, select it
-    if let Some((entity, kind, name, _distance)) = closest_target {
-        bevy::log::info!("Selected target: {} ({:?})", name, kind);
+    let Ok(mut selected) = player_query.single_mut() else {
+        return;
+    };
 
-        // Update player's selected target
-        if let Ok(mut selected) = player_query.single_mut() {
+    if let Some((entity, targetable, _)) = closest {
+        bevy::log::info!("Selected target: {} ({:?})", targetable.name, targetable.kind);
         selected.entity = entity;
-            selected.kind = kind;
-            selected.name = name.clone();
-        }
+        selected.kind = targetable.kind;
+        selected.name = targetable.name.clone();
 
-        // Fire event
         events.write(TargetSelectedEvent {
             entity,
-            kind,
-            name,
+            kind: targetable.kind,
+            name: targetable.name.clone(),
         });
+    } else {
+        // Clicked empty space: deselect.
+        selected.entity = Entity::PLACEHOLDER;
+        selected.kind = TargetKind::Manual;
+        selected.name = "None".to_string();
     }
 }

apps/game/src/gameplay/movement/components.rs

@@ -18,7 +18,8 @@ impl Default for MaxSpeed {
     }
 }
 
-/// Maximum rotation rate in radians per second. Used to smooth heading changes.
+/// Maximum rotation rate in radians per second. Caps how fast the ship can
+/// bank toward a new heading — the lower this is, the heavier the ship feels.
 #[derive(Component, Debug, Clone, Copy)]
 pub struct TurnRate(pub f32);
 
@@ -28,12 +29,43 @@ impl Default for TurnRate {
     }
 }
 
+/// Linear acceleration in units/sec². Applied symmetrically to throttling up
+/// and braking, so the ship eases in and out of its top speed instead of
+/// snapping. Drives the arrival (deceleration) behaviour in `steer_to_target`.
+#[derive(Component, Debug, Clone, Copy)]
+pub struct Acceleration(pub f32);
+
+impl Default for Acceleration {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self(30.0)
+    }
+}
+
+/// Distance from the move target at which the ship is considered to have
+/// arrived and eases its velocity to zero.
+#[derive(Component, Debug, Clone, Copy)]
+pub struct ArrivalRadius(pub f32);
+
+impl Default for ArrivalRadius {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self(1.5)
+    }
+}
+
 /// Exponential drag coefficient. Higher = stronger drag (slower drift when no thrust).
-/// Currently unused by click-to-move; reserved for future throttle-based input.
+/// Currently unused by the steering model; reserved for future throttle-based input.
 #[derive(Component, Default, Debug, Clone, Copy)]
 pub struct Drag(pub f32);
 
 /// A world-space point the entity should move toward.
-/// Set by input systems (e.g. click-to-move) and consumed by kinematic systems.
+/// Set by input systems (e.g. right-click-to-move) and consumed by the
+/// kinematic steering system.
 #[derive(Component, Default, Debug, Clone, Copy)]
 pub struct MoveTarget(pub Vec3);
+
+/// An entity to intercept. While present, `track_approach_target` overwrites
+/// [`MoveTarget`] with this entity's live world position each frame, so the
+/// ship homes onto a moving target (station, asteroid belt, hostile). Removed
+/// automatically on arrival, or when the player issues a manual move order.
+#[derive(Component, Debug, Clone, Copy)]
+pub struct ApproachTarget(pub Entity);

apps/game/src/gameplay/movement/input.rs

@@ -1,35 +1,59 @@
 use bevy::input::mouse::MouseButton;
 use bevy::prelude::*;
+use bevy::ui::ComputedNode;
 use bevy::window::PrimaryWindow;
 
-use super::components::{MoveTarget, Player};
+use super::components::{ApproachTarget, MoveTarget, Player};
 use crate::camera::MainCamera;
 use crate::gameplay::in_system::DockedState;
+use crate::ui::util::cursor_over_ui;
 
-/// Y coordinate of the ground plane. Cursor rays are projected onto this plane.
-const GROUND_PLANE_Y: f32 = 0.0;
+/// Y coordinate of the orbital plane. Cursor rays are projected onto it so a
+/// right-click maps to a flat-world destination the ship can actually reach.
+const ORBITAL_PLANE_Y: f32 = 0.0;
 
-/// Helper function to check if the player is in flight mode (not docked).
-/// This can be used as a run condition for systems that should only run during flight.
+/// Event fired whenever the player issues a move order (right-click). Carries
+/// no payload — it is a pure "new order" ping consumed by the destination
+/// marker to trigger a fresh pulse. The marker reads `MoveTarget` itself for
+/// its on-world position.
+#[derive(Event, Debug, Clone, Copy)]
+pub struct MoveOrderEvent;
+
+/// Run condition: move orders are only accepted while actively flying (not
+/// docked). Combined with `in_state(AppState::InGame)` where the system is
+/// registered.
 pub fn when_in_flight(docked: Res<DockedState>) -> bool {
     !docked.is_docked
 }
 
-/// On left-click, project the cursor onto the ground plane and update the player's MoveTarget.
-/// This works in both docked and flight modes - the ground plane targeting is useful for
-/// setting movement targets regardless of camera mode.
-pub fn click_to_move(
+/// Right-click issues a Stellaris-style move order: project the cursor onto the
+/// orbital plane and set the player ship's [`MoveTarget`].
+///
+/// Left-click is intentionally left untouched here — it belongs to target
+/// selection and camera orbit — so the three inputs (select / orbit / move)
+/// never fight over the same button. A manual move order also cancels any
+/// active [`ApproachTarget`], so the player can override an auto-approach.
+///
+/// Orders issued while the cursor is over a UI panel are ignored.
+pub fn right_click_to_move(
+    mut commands: Commands,
     mouse_input: Res<ButtonInput<MouseButton>>,
     primary_window: Query<&Window, With<PrimaryWindow>>,
     camera_query: Query<(&Camera, &GlobalTransform), With<MainCamera>>,
-    mut player: Query<&mut MoveTarget, With<Player>>,
+    ui_nodes: Query<(&ComputedNode, &GlobalTransform)>,
+    mut player: Query<(Entity, &mut MoveTarget), With<Player>>,
+    mut orders: EventWriter<MoveOrderEvent>,
 ) {
-    if !mouse_input.just_pressed(MouseButton::Left) {
+    if !mouse_input.just_pressed(MouseButton::Right) {
         return;
     }
+
     let Ok(window) = primary_window.single() else {
         return;
     };
+    if cursor_over_ui(window, &ui_nodes) {
+        return;
+    }
     let Some(cursor_pos) = window.cursor_position() else {
         return;
     };
@@ -40,18 +64,21 @@ pub fn click_to_move(
         return;
     };
 
-    // Intersect ray with the ground plane (y = GROUND_PLANE_Y).
+    // Intersect the ray with the orbital plane (y = ORBITAL_PLANE_Y).
     if ray.direction.y.abs() < 1e-6 {
-        return; // ray is parallel to ground — no intersection
+        return; // ray parallel to the plane — no intersection
     }
-    let t = (GROUND_PLANE_Y - ray.origin.y) / ray.direction.y;
+    let t = (ORBITAL_PLANE_Y - ray.origin.y) / ray.direction.y;
     if t < 0.0 {
-        return; // intersection is behind the camera
+        return; // intersection behind the camera
     }
-    let target = ray.origin + ray.direction * t;
+    let destination = ray.origin + ray.direction * t;
 
-    let Ok(mut move_target) = player.single_mut() else {
+    let Ok((player_entity, mut move_target)) = player.single_mut() else {
         return;
     };
-    move_target.0 = target;
+    // A manual order overrides any active auto-approach.
+    commands.entity(player_entity).remove::<ApproachTarget>();
+    move_target.0 = destination;
+    orders.write(MoveOrderEvent);
 }

apps/game/src/gameplay/movement/kinematic.rs

@@ -1,33 +1,107 @@
 use bevy::prelude::*;
 
-use super::components::{MaxSpeed, MoveTarget, Velocity};
+use super::components::{
+    Acceleration, ArrivalRadius, ApproachTarget, MaxSpeed, MoveTarget, TurnRate, Velocity,
+};
 
-/// Distance (in world units) at which an entity is considered to have arrived at its target.
-const ARRIVAL_DISTANCE: f32 = 0.5;
+/// Track a moving [`ApproachTarget`]: copy its live world position into the
+/// entity's [`MoveTarget`] each frame so the ship homes onto it. Drops the
+/// component once the entity has arrived (so it brakes to a hold) or if the
+/// target was despawned.
+///
+/// Runs before [`steer_to_target`] in the movement chain so the destination is
+/// current for this frame's steering.
+pub fn track_approach_target(
+    mut commands: Commands,
+    mut query: Query<(
+        Entity,
+        &ApproachTarget,
+        &mut MoveTarget,
+        &Transform,
+        &ArrivalRadius,
+    )>,
+    transforms: Query<&GlobalTransform>,
+) {
+    for (entity, approach, mut move_target, transform, arrival) in &mut query {
+        match transforms.get(approach.0) {
+            Ok(target_gt) => {
+                let target_pos = target_gt.translation();
+                move_target.0 = target_pos;
+                if transform.translation.distance(target_pos) <= arrival.0 {
+                    // Arrived: stop homing. MoveTarget holds the last position
+                    // so the ship brakes to a stop on top of it.
+                    commands.entity(entity).remove::<ApproachTarget>();
+                }
+            }
+            Err(_) => {
+                // Target despawned mid-approach — stop homing and hold.
+                commands.entity(entity).remove::<ApproachTarget>();
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
 
-/// For each entity with a MoveTarget, set Velocity to face the target at MaxSpeed,
-/// and rotate the transform to face direction of motion.
+/// Steer every entity that has the full flight-physics component set toward its
+/// [`MoveTarget`], with smooth acceleration, arrival deceleration, and
+/// turn-rate-limited banking.
+///
+/// The model is deliberately simple and frame-rate independent:
+/// - **Desired velocity** points at the target and eases to zero inside the
+///   arrival radius. A "slow radius" derived from the stopping distance
+///   (`v² / 2a`) decides where braking begins, so the ship arrives at zero
+///   speed with no overshoot.
+/// - **Velocity** is moved toward the desired velocity, clamped to the
+///   per-step acceleration budget (`a·dt`) — the same limit covers throttle-up
+///   and braking.
+/// - **Heading** banks toward the travel direction on the horizontal plane
+///   (never pitching into the ground), advanced at most `turn_rate·dt` per
+///   frame so heavier ships turn sluggishly.
+///
+/// This single system drives both the player ship and AI ships, giving the
+/// whole fleet the same physics.
 pub fn steer_to_target(
-    mut query: Query<(&mut Transform, &mut Velocity, &MoveTarget, &MaxSpeed)>,
+    mut query: Query<(
+        &mut Transform,
+        &mut Velocity,
+        &MoveTarget,
+        &MaxSpeed,
+        &TurnRate,
+        &Acceleration,
+        &ArrivalRadius,
+    )>,
     time: Res<Time>,
 ) {
     let dt = time.delta_secs();
-    for (mut transform, mut velocity, target, max_speed) in &mut query {
+    for (mut transform, mut velocity, target, max_speed, turn_rate, accel, arrival) in &mut query {
         let to_target = target.0 - transform.translation;
         let distance = to_target.length();
-        if distance <= ARRIVAL_DISTANCE {
-            velocity.0 = Vec3::ZERO;
-            continue;
-        }
-        let direction = to_target / distance;
-        velocity.0 = direction * max_speed.0;
 
-        // Rotate to face direction of motion, keeping Y as up (no pitch).
-        // This gives a "ship banking" feel rather than nosediving toward targets at different altitudes.
-        let flat = Vec3::new(direction.x, 0.0, direction.z);
-        if flat.length_squared() > 1e-4 {
-            let look = Transform::IDENTITY.looking_at(flat.normalize(), Vec3::Y);
-            transform.rotation = transform.rotation.slerp(look.rotation, dt * 4.0);
+        // Desired velocity: full speed toward the target, easing to zero inside
+        // the arrival radius and along the braking run-up (slow radius).
+        let desired_velocity = if distance <= arrival.0 {
+            Vec3::ZERO
+        } else {
+            let direction = to_target / distance;
+            let stopping_distance =
+                (max_speed.0 * max_speed.0) / (2.0 * accel.0).max(1e-2);
+            let slow_radius = stopping_distance.max(arrival.0 * 2.0);
+            let ramp = (distance / slow_radius).clamp(0.0, 1.0);
+            direction * (max_speed.0 * ramp)
+        };
+
+        // Step the velocity toward the desired velocity, capped by the
+        // acceleration budget for this frame.
+        let delta = desired_velocity - velocity.0;
+        velocity.0 += limit_length(delta, accel.0 * dt);
+
+        // Bank toward the travel heading on the horizontal plane. Only update
+        // when actually moving so a stationary ship holds its facing.
+        let flat = Vec3::new(velocity.0.x, 0.0, velocity.0.z);
+        if flat.length_squared() > 1e-2 {
+            let dir = flat.normalize();
+            let look = Transform::IDENTITY.looking_at(dir, Vec3::Y);
+            let step = (turn_rate.0 * dt).clamp(0.0, 1.0);
+            transform.rotation = transform.rotation.slerp(look.rotation, step);
         }
     }
 }
@@ -39,3 +113,13 @@ pub fn integrate_velocity(mut query: Query<(&mut Transform, &Velocity)>, time: R
         transform.translation += velocity.0 * dt;
     }
 }
+
+/// Scale `v` down so its length never exceeds `max`, preserving direction.
+fn limit_length(v: Vec3, max: f32) -> Vec3 {
+    let len = v.length();
+    if len > max && len > 1e-6 {
+        v * (max / len)
+    } else {
+        v
+    }
+}

apps/game/src/gameplay/movement/mod.rs

@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 use bevy::prelude::*;
 
+use crate::state::AppState;
+
 pub mod components;
 pub mod input;
 pub mod kinematic;
@@ -9,18 +11,24 @@ pub struct MovementPlugin;
 
 impl Plugin for MovementPlugin {
     fn build(&self, app: &mut App) {
-        // No state gating for slice 1: systems are no-ops when no Player exists.
-        // When AppState::InGame is wired up, gate these on `in_state(AppState::InGame)`
-        // and consider moving them to FixedUpdate for SpacetimeDB determinism.
-        app.add_systems(
+        app.add_event::<input::MoveOrderEvent>()
+            // Orbital motion is scene-wide (used by the galaxy inspection scene
+            // too), so it runs in every state.
+            .add_systems(Update, orbit::update_orbits)
+            // Flight steering chain: order → track approach → steer → integrate.
+            // Gated to InGame — these only do something while entities with the
+            // flight-physics components exist. Right-click input additionally
+            // requires the player to be in flight, not docked.
+            .add_systems(
                 Update,
                 (
-                input::click_to_move,
+                    input::right_click_to_move.run_if(input::when_in_flight),
+                    kinematic::track_approach_target,
                     kinematic::steer_to_target,
                     kinematic::integrate_velocity,
-                orbit::update_orbits,
                 )
-                .chain(),
+                    .chain()
+                    .run_if(in_state(AppState::InGame)),
             );
     }
 }