What type of fix is essential for STELLA to perform dead reckoning until the next fix is applied?

For a navigation system like STELLA to perform dead reckoning accurately until the next position fix is obtained, it is essential to have an initial fix. The initial fix represents the first accurate position determined by a navigational method, using all available data like charts, bearings, distances, and other navigational aids. This initial position is crucial as it serves as the starting reference point from which the vessel's movement is tracked over time during dead reckoning.

Dead reckoning calculates the current position based on speed, time, and course from the last known position. If the initial fix is not correctly established, any calculations derived from it will accumulate errors over time, leading to inaccuracies in navigation. The accuracy of dead reckoning relies heavily on the integrity of the initial fix, making it essential for continued navigation until a new fix is applied.

The other types of fixes mentioned, such as waypoint, navigational, or permanent fixes, serve different purposes within navigation and may not provide the necessary reference point required for effective dead reckoning. They do not fulfill the same foundational role as the initial fix does at the start of a navigational journey.