diff --git a/scripts/format-scope.json b/scripts/format-scope.json
index 0c83359ac..80901f747 100644
--- a/scripts/format-scope.json
+++ b/scripts/format-scope.json
@@ -1074,5 +1074,8 @@
   "src/globe/navara/movers/pickIds.test.mjs",
   "src/globe/navara/movers/moverMesh.test.mjs",
   "src/globe/navara/movers/modelMover.test.mjs",
-  "src/bench/syntheticFlights.test.mjs"
+  "src/bench/syntheticFlights.test.mjs",
+  "src/globe/lines.test.mjs",
+  "src/globe/cesium/lines.test.mjs",
+  "src/globe/navara/lines/lineMesh.test.mjs"
 ]
diff --git a/src/globe/cesium/createCesiumEngine.js b/src/globe/cesium/createCesiumEngine.js
index f49ecae44..bac207d27 100644
--- a/src/globe/cesium/createCesiumEngine.js
+++ b/src/globe/cesium/createCesiumEngine.js
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import { createCesiumClock } from './clock.js';
 import { createCesiumCredits } from './credits.js';
 import { createCesiumFrames } from './frames.js';
 import { createCesiumInput } from './input.js';
+import { createCesiumLines } from './lines.js';
 import { createCesiumMaps } from './maps.js';
 import { createCesiumMovers } from './movers.js';
 import { createCesiumPicker } from './picker.js';
@@ -46,6 +47,10 @@ export function createCesiumEngine(viewer, options = {}) {
     projector: createCesiumProjector(viewer),
     frames: createCesiumFrames(viewer),
     clock: createCesiumClock(viewer, options),
+    lines: createCesiumLines(viewer, {
+      requestRender: (reason) => render.render.request(reason),
+      ...(options.lineFactories ? { factories: options.lineFactories } : {}),
+    }),
     movers: createCesiumMovers(viewer, {
       requestRender: (reason) => render.render.request(reason),
       ...(options.moverFactories ? { factories: options.moverFactories } : {}),
diff --git a/src/globe/cesium/lines.js b/src/globe/cesium/lines.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b97b832a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/globe/cesium/lines.js
@@ -0,0 +1,214 @@
+// engine.lines on Cesium: each line is one Primitive of a PolylineGeometry
+// (built synchronously, rebuilt when its positions change) with a
+// PolylineMaterialAppearance, inside one engine-owned PrimitiveCollection
+// added to the scene with the first line. depthFailAlpha adds Cesium's
+// depthFailAppearance (the same material, its alpha scaled) for the part
+// the scene hides; dashes in pixels are PolylineDash; the tactical dash is
+// the launches' selected-orbit pattern along the whole line.
+
+import * as Cesium from 'cesium';
+import { createLineRegistry } from '../lines.js';
+
+const TACTICAL_TYPE = 'GevLineTactical';
+let tacticalRegistered = false;
+
+// The launches' GevMissionOrbitTactical shader (layers/launches/
+// orbitRendering.js), under the engine's own type until Task 15a moves
+// launches onto engine.lines.
+function registerTactical() {
+  if (tacticalRegistered) return;
+  new Cesium.Material({
+    fabric: {
+      type: TACTICAL_TYPE,
+      uniforms: { color: Cesium.Color.CYAN, groupCount: 4, dashCount: 100 },
+      source: `
+        czm_material czm_getMaterial(czm_materialInput materialInput) {
+          czm_material material = czm_getDefaultMaterial(materialInput);
+          float groupPosition = fract(materialInput.st.s * groupCount);
+          float markPosition = groupPosition * (dashCount + 1.0);
+          float markIndex = floor(markPosition);
+          float localPosition = fract(markPosition);
+          float centerDistance = abs(localPosition - 0.5);
+          float edge = max(fwidth(localPosition) * 1.35, 0.012);
+          float dashAlong = 1.0 - smoothstep(0.27 - edge, 0.27 + edge, centerDistance);
+          float dashAcross = 1.0 - smoothstep(0.12, 0.24, abs(materialInput.st.t - 0.5));
+          float dash = dashAlong * dashAcross;
+          float dotAlong = (localPosition - 0.5) / 0.32;
+          float dotAcross = (materialInput.st.t - 0.5) / 0.5;
+          float dot = 1.0 - smoothstep(0.78, 1.0, length(vec2(dotAlong, dotAcross)));
+          float isDot = 1.0 - step(0.5, markIndex);
+          float visible = mix(dash, dot, isDot);
+          material.diffuse = color.rgb;
+          material.emission = color.rgb * mix(0.07, 0.65, isDot);
+          material.alpha = color.a * visible * mix(0.58, 1.0, isDot);
+          return material;
+        }`,
+    },
+  });
+  tacticalRegistered = true;
+}
+
+/** PolylineDash's 16-bit pattern: the dash first, then the gap. */
+export function dashPattern(lengthPx, gapPx) {
+  const on = Math.max(
+    1,
+    Math.min(16, Math.round((16 * lengthPx) / (lengthPx + gapPx))),
+  );
+  return (0xffff << (16 - on)) & 0xffff;
+}
+
+const toColor = ([r, g, b, a], alphaScale = 1) =>
+  new Cesium.Color(r, g, b, a * alphaScale);
+
+/** The Cesium material type and uniforms of a line (pure, for tests). */
+export function materialSpec(options, color, alphaScale = 1) {
+  const { dash } = options;
+  if (dash?.kind === 'pixels')
+    return {
+      type: 'PolylineDash',
+      uniforms: {
+        color: toColor(color, alphaScale),
+        gapColor: Cesium.Color.TRANSPARENT,
+        dashLength: dash.lengthPx + dash.gapPx,
+        dashPattern: dashPattern(dash.lengthPx, dash.gapPx),
+      },
+    };
+  if (dash?.kind === 'tactical')
+    return {
+      type: TACTICAL_TYPE,
+      uniforms: {
+        color: toColor(color, alphaScale),
+        groupCount: dash.groups,
+        dashCount: dash.dashes,
+      },
+    };
+  return { type: 'Color', uniforms: { color: toColor(color, alphaScale) } };
+}
+
+function cesiumMaterial({ type, uniforms }) {
+  if (type === TACTICAL_TYPE) registerTactical();
+  return Cesium.Material.fromType(type, uniforms);
+}
+
+const DEFAULT_FACTORIES = {
+  primitive: (options) => new Cesium.Primitive(options),
+  appearance: (spec) =>
+    new Cesium.PolylineMaterialAppearance({ material: cesiumMaterial(spec) }),
+};
+
+/**
+ * @param {Cesium.Viewer} viewer
+ * @param {{ requestRender?: (reason: string) => void, factories?: object }} [options]
+ * @returns {{ lines: import('../contract.js').GlobeLines, destroy: () => void }}
+ */
+export function createCesiumLines(
+  viewer,
+  { requestRender = () => viewer.scene.requestRender(), factories = {} } = {},
+) {
+  const make = { ...DEFAULT_FACTORIES, ...factories };
+  const { scene } = viewer;
+  let root = null;
+  const rootCollection = () => {
+    if (!root) {
+      root = new Cesium.PrimitiveCollection({ destroyPrimitives: true });
+      scene.primitives.add(root);
+    }
+    return root;
+  };
+  const registry = createLineRegistry((options) => {
+    rootCollection();
+    let color = options.color;
+    let modelMatrix = options.modelMatrix
+      ? Cesium.Matrix4.fromArray(options.modelMatrix)
+      : Cesium.Matrix4.clone(Cesium.Matrix4.IDENTITY);
+    let shown = true;
+    let primitive = null;
+    let appearance = null;
+    let depthFail = null;
+    const drop = () => {
+      if (primitive) root.remove(primitive);
+      primitive = null;
+    };
+    return {
+      setPositions(flat) {
+        drop();
+        if (flat.length < 6) {
+          requestRender('lines');
+          return;
+        }
+        const positions = [];
+        for (let index = 0; index < flat.length; index += 3)
+          positions.push(
+            new Cesium.Cartesian3(
+              flat[index],
+              flat[index + 1],
+              flat[index + 2],
+            ),
+          );
+        appearance = make.appearance(materialSpec(options, color));
+        depthFail =
+          options.depthFailAlpha > 0
+            ? make.appearance(
+                materialSpec(options, color, options.depthFailAlpha),
+              )
+            : undefined;
+        primitive = make.primitive({
+          geometryInstances: new Cesium.GeometryInstance({
+            geometry: new Cesium.PolylineGeometry({
+              positions,
+              width: options.widthPx,
+              vertexFormat: Cesium.PolylineMaterialAppearance.VERTEX_FORMAT,
+              arcType:
+                options.arc === 'geodesic'
+                  ? Cesium.ArcType.GEODESIC
+                  : Cesium.ArcType.NONE,
+            }),
+            id: options.pickId,
+          }),
+          appearance,
+          depthFailAppearance: depthFail,
+          modelMatrix: Cesium.Matrix4.clone(modelMatrix),
+          show: shown,
+          asynchronous: false,
+        });
+        root.add(primitive);
+        requestRender('lines');
+      },
+      setColor(rgba) {
+        color = rgba;
+        if (appearance) appearance.material.uniforms.color = toColor(rgba);
+        if (depthFail)
+          depthFail.material.uniforms.color = toColor(
+            rgba,
+            options.depthFailAlpha,
+          );
+        requestRender('lines');
+      },
+      setModelMatrix(matrix) {
+        modelMatrix = Cesium.Matrix4.fromArray(matrix);
+        if (primitive)
+          primitive.modelMatrix = Cesium.Matrix4.clone(modelMatrix);
+        requestRender('lines');
+      },
+      show(visible) {
+        shown = visible;
+        if (primitive) primitive.show = visible;
+        requestRender('lines');
+      },
+      destroy() {
+        drop();
+        requestRender('lines');
+      },
+    };
+  });
+  return {
+    lines: registry.lines,
+    destroy() {
+      registry.destroyAll();
+      if (root) {
+        scene.primitives.remove(root);
+        root = null;
+      }
+    },
+  };
+}
diff --git a/src/globe/cesium/lines.test.mjs b/src/globe/cesium/lines.test.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ff7723a49
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/globe/cesium/lines.test.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,127 @@
+import test from 'node:test';
+import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
+import * as Cesium from 'cesium';
+import { createCesiumLines, dashPattern } from './lines.js';
+import { createFakeViewer } from './testing/fakeViewer.mjs';
+
+function fakePrimitives() {
+  const made = [];
+  return {
+    made,
+    factories: {
+      primitive: (options) => {
+        const primitive = {
+          ...options,
+          isDestroyed: () => false,
+          destroy() {
+            primitive.destroyed = true;
+          },
+        };
+        made.push(primitive);
+        return primitive;
+      },
+      appearance: (spec) => ({
+        material: { type: spec.type, uniforms: { ...spec.uniforms } },
+      }),
+    },
+  };
+}
+
+const points = [
+  { x: 6_378_137, y: 0, z: 0 },
+  { x: 6_378_137, y: 1000, z: 0 },
+  { x: 6_378_137, y: 2000, z: 1000 },
+];
+
+test('a dash in pixels becomes PolylineDash with a 16-bit pattern', () => {
+  assert.equal(dashPattern(16, 16), 0xff00);
+  assert.equal(dashPattern(12, 4), 0xfff0);
+  assert.equal(dashPattern(1, 0), 0xffff);
+});
+
+test('positions build one polyline primitive; a change rebuilds it', () => {
+  const viewer = createFakeViewer();
+  const { factories, made } = fakePrimitives();
+  const renders = [];
+  const { lines, destroy } = createCesiumLines(viewer, {
+    factories,
+    requestRender: (reason) => renders.push(reason),
+  });
+  assert.equal(viewer.scene.primitives.length, 0, 'nothing at creation');
+  const line = lines.createLine({
+    id: 'trail',
+    widthPx: 3,
+    color: [1, 0, 0, 1],
+    depthFailAlpha: 0.4,
+    arc: 'geodesic',
+    pickId: 'trail-1',
+  });
+  assert.equal(viewer.scene.primitives.length, 1);
+  assert.equal(made.length, 0, 'no primitive without positions');
+  line.setPositions(points);
+  assert.equal(made.length, 1);
+  const [first] = made;
+  const geometry = first.geometryInstances.geometry;
+  assert.equal(geometry._width, 3);
+  assert.equal(geometry._arcType, Cesium.ArcType.GEODESIC);
+  assert.equal(geometry._positions.length, 3);
+  assert.equal(first.geometryInstances.id, 'trail-1');
+  assert.equal(first.asynchronous, false);
+  assert.ok(first.depthFailAppearance, 'the dimmer copy behind the scene');
+  assert.ok(
+    Cesium.Color.equals(
+      first.depthFailAppearance.material.uniforms.color,
+      new Cesium.Color(1, 0, 0, 0.4),
+    ),
+  );
+  line.setPositions(points.slice(0, 2));
+  assert.equal(made.length, 2);
+  assert.equal(first.destroyed, true, 'the old primitive goes');
+  line.setColor([0, 1, 0, 1]);
+  assert.ok(
+    Cesium.Color.equals(
+      made[1].appearance.material.uniforms.color,
+      new Cesium.Color(0, 1, 0, 1),
+    ),
+  );
+  const turn = Cesium.Matrix4.fromRotation(Cesium.Matrix3.fromRotationZ(0.5));
+  line.setModelMatrix(Cesium.Matrix4.toArray(turn));
+  assert.ok(Cesium.Matrix4.equals(made[1].modelMatrix, turn));
+  line.show(false);
+  assert.equal(made[1].show, false);
+  line.setPositions(points);
+  assert.equal(made[2].show, false, 'a rebuild keeps show and matrix');
+  assert.ok(Cesium.Matrix4.equals(made[2].modelMatrix, turn));
+  assert.ok(renders.length >= 4);
+  line.destroy();
+  assert.equal(made[2].destroyed, true);
+  destroy();
+  assert.equal(viewer.scene.primitives.length, 0);
+});
+
+test('dash kinds pick their materials', () => {
+  const viewer = createFakeViewer();
+  const { factories, made } = fakePrimitives();
+  const { lines } = createCesiumLines(viewer, { factories });
+  lines
+    .createLine({
+      id: 'd',
+      widthPx: 2,
+      color: [1, 1, 1, 1],
+      dash: { lengthPx: 12, gapPx: 4 },
+    })
+    .setPositions(points);
+  lines
+    .createLine({ id: 't', widthPx: 3, color: [0, 1, 1, 1], dash: 'tactical' })
+    .setPositions(points);
+  lines
+    .createLine({ id: 's', widthPx: 1, color: [1, 1, 1, 1] })
+    .setPositions(points);
+  assert.equal(made[0].appearance.material.type, 'PolylineDash');
+  assert.equal(made[0].appearance.material.uniforms.dashLength, 16);
+  assert.equal(made[0].appearance.material.uniforms.dashPattern, 0xfff0);
+  assert.equal(made[1].appearance.material.type, 'GevLineTactical');
+  assert.equal(made[1].appearance.material.uniforms.groupCount, 4);
+  assert.equal(made[2].appearance.material.type, 'Color');
+  assert.equal(made[2].depthFailAppearance, undefined);
+});
diff --git a/src/globe/contract.js b/src/globe/contract.js
index 83130c8be..47be16fcf 100644
--- a/src/globe/contract.js
+++ b/src/globe/contract.js
@@ -296,6 +296,37 @@
  * @property {(options: MoverSetOptions) => MoverSet} createSet
  * @property {() => { id: string, kind: string, count: number, capacity: number }[]} list
  *
+ * @typedef {object} LineOptions
+ *   A dynamic polyline (src/globe/lines.js checks and defaults these).
+ * @property {string} id Unique among the engine's live lines.
+ * @property {number} widthPx Width in CSS pixels.
+ * @property {number[]} color rgba in 0..1.
+ * @property {number} [depthFailAlpha] 0..1: where the scene hides the line, a
+ *   copy drawn with its alpha scaled by this (Cesium's depthFailAppearance);
+ *   0 (the default) draws nothing there.
+ * @property {{ lengthPx: number, gapPx: number } | 'tactical'} [dash]
+ *   Dashes in pixels along the screen direction (Cesium's PolylineDash), or
+ *   the launches' selected-orbit pattern over the whole line.
+ * @property {'none'|'geodesic'} [arc] 'geodesic' follows great circles
+ *   between points (Cesium's ArcType.GEODESIC); 'none' (default) draws
+ *   straight segments.
+ * @property {Matrix4} [modelMatrix] Applied to the positions (an orbit ring
+ *   turned by GMST).
+ * @property {any} [pickId] What a Cesium pick of the line returns (Navara
+ *   lines are not pickable yet).
+ *
+ * @typedef {object} Line
+ * @property {(positions: Cartesian3[] | Float64Array) => void} setPositions
+ * @property {(color: number[]) => void} setColor
+ * @property {(matrix: Matrix4) => void} setModelMatrix
+ * @property {(visible: boolean) => void} show
+ * @property {() => void} destroy
+ *   Every call requests a render; nothing animates on its own.
+ *
+ * @typedef {object} GlobeLines
+ * @property {(options: LineOptions) => Line} createLine
+ * @property {() => { id: string, points: number, shown: boolean }[]} list
+ *
  * @typedef {object} GlobeEngine
  * @property {'cesium'|'navara'} kind
  * @property {{ container: object, canvas: object, size: () => { width: number, height: number } }} host
@@ -317,6 +348,7 @@
  * @property {GlobeMaps} maps
  * @property {GlobeClock} clock
  * @property {GlobeMovers} movers
+ * @property {GlobeLines} lines
  * @property {() => void} destroy
  * @property {() => boolean} isDestroyed True once destroy() has run.
  */
@@ -497,6 +529,7 @@ const SHAPE = {
   credits: { addStatic: isFunction },
   clock: { now: isFunction, frameTime: isFunction, ticked: isEngineEvent },
   movers: { createSet: isFunction, list: isFunction },
+  lines: { createLine: isFunction, list: isFunction },
   maps: {
     setBaseImagery: isFunction,
     setTerrain: isFunction,
diff --git a/src/globe/contract.test.mjs b/src/globe/contract.test.mjs
index 20ca77778..f64f4616a 100644
--- a/src/globe/contract.test.mjs
+++ b/src/globe/contract.test.mjs
@@ -343,3 +343,15 @@ test('the contract carries instanced movers', () => {
     /movers\.createSet.*movers\.list/,
   );
 });
+
+test('the contract carries dynamic lines', () => {
+  for (const member of ['lines.createLine', 'lines.list'])
+    assert.ok(GLOBE_ENGINE_MEMBERS.includes(member), member);
+  const engine = createFakeEngine();
+  assert.equal(assertGlobeEngine(engine), engine);
+  const broken = { ...engine, lines: {} };
+  assert.throws(
+    () => assertGlobeEngine(broken),
+    /lines\.createLine.*lines\.list/,
+  );
+});
diff --git a/src/globe/lines.js b/src/globe/lines.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..470a7de98
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/globe/lines.js
@@ -0,0 +1,255 @@
+// engine.lines, the engine-neutral part: dynamic polylines (trails, orbit
+// rings, launch paths) with a width in CSS pixels, an optional dimmer
+// copy where the scene hides them (depthFailAlpha), dashes (in pixels, or
+// the launches' tactical pattern along the whole line), geodesic arcs and a
+// model matrix (an orbit ring turned by GMST). This checks options, keeps
+// positions as flat Float64Arrays and densifies geodesic arcs the same way
+// for every engine that draws straight segments. No engine imports.
+
+import * as geo from '../geo/index.js';
+
+const isFiniteNumber = (value) =>
+  typeof value === 'number' && Number.isFinite(value);
+const isObject = (value) => value != null && typeof value === 'object';
+
+function fail(message) {
+  throw new TypeError(`Line: ${message}`);
+}
+
+/**
+ * The launches' selected-orbit pattern (layers/launches/policy.js
+ * MISSION_ORBIT_PATTERN_GROUPS and MISSION_ORBIT_DASHES_PER_GROUP): along the
+ * whole line, `groups` groups of one round dot and `dashes` short dashes.
+ */
+export const TACTICAL_DASH = Object.freeze({ groups: 4, dashes: 100 });
+
+export const LINE_ARCS = Object.freeze(['none', 'geodesic']);
+
+const isColor = (value) =>
+  (Array.isArray(value) || ArrayBuffer.isView(value)) &&
+  value.length === 4 &&
+  Array.prototype.every.call(value, isFiniteNumber);
+
+const isMatrix = (value) =>
+  (Array.isArray(value) || ArrayBuffer.isView(value)) &&
+  value.length === 16 &&
+  Array.prototype.every.call(value, isFiniteNumber);
+
+function dashOf(dash) {
+  if (dash == null) return null;
+  if (dash === 'tactical') return { kind: 'tactical', ...TACTICAL_DASH };
+  if (isObject(dash) && dash.tactical)
+    return {
+      kind: 'tactical',
+      groups: dash.tactical.groups ?? TACTICAL_DASH.groups,
+      dashes: dash.tactical.dashes ?? TACTICAL_DASH.dashes,
+    };
+  if (
+    isObject(dash) &&
+    isFiniteNumber(dash.lengthPx) &&
+    dash.lengthPx > 0 &&
+    isFiniteNumber(dash.gapPx) &&
+    dash.gapPx >= 0
+  )
+    return { kind: 'pixels', lengthPx: dash.lengthPx, gapPx: dash.gapPx };
+  return fail("dash must be { lengthPx, gapPx }, 'tactical' or null");
+}
+
+/** createLine options with defaults, or a TypeError. */
+export function normalizeLineOptions(options) {
+  if (!isObject(options)) fail('options must be an object');
+  const { id, widthPx, color } = options;
+  if (typeof id !== 'string' || !id) fail('id must be a non-empty string');
+  if (!(isFiniteNumber(widthPx) && widthPx > 0))
+    fail(`widthPx must be a positive number: ${widthPx}`);
+  if (!isColor(color)) fail('color must be [r, g, b, a]');
+  const arc = options.arc ?? 'none';
+  if (!LINE_ARCS.includes(arc)) fail(`arc must be 'none' or 'geodesic'`);
+  const depthFailAlpha = options.depthFailAlpha ?? 0;
+  if (!(
+    isFiniteNumber(depthFailAlpha) &&
+    depthFailAlpha >= 0 &&
+    depthFailAlpha <= 1
+  ))
+    fail('depthFailAlpha must be in 0..1');
+  const modelMatrix = options.modelMatrix ?? null;
+  if (modelMatrix !== null && !isMatrix(modelMatrix))
+    fail('modelMatrix must be 16 numbers');
+  return {
+    id,
+    widthPx,
+    color: [...color],
+    arc,
+    depthFailAlpha,
+    dash: dashOf(options.dash),
+    modelMatrix: modelMatrix ? [...modelMatrix] : null,
+    pickId: options.pickId,
+    order: isFiniteNumber(options.order) ? options.order : 0,
+  };
+}
+
+/** Positions as one flat Float64Array [x, y, z, …]. */
+export function flattenPositions(positions) {
+  if (ArrayBuffer.isView(positions)) {
+    if (positions.length % 3 !== 0) fail('a flat position array needs x, y, z');
+    if (!Array.prototype.every.call(positions, isFiniteNumber))
+      fail('positions must be finite');
+    return Float64Array.from(positions);
+  }
+  if (!Array.isArray(positions)) fail('positions must be an array');
+  const flat = new Float64Array(positions.length * 3);
+  positions.forEach((position, index) => {
+    if (
+      !isObject(position) ||
+      !isFiniteNumber(position.x) ||
+      !isFiniteNumber(position.y) ||
+      !isFiniteNumber(position.z)
+    )
+      fail(`position ${index} is not a finite Cartesian3`);
+    flat[index * 3] = position.x;
+    flat[index * 3 + 1] = position.y;
+    flat[index * 3 + 2] = position.z;
+  });
+  return flat;
+}
+
+const scratchA = geo.cartesian3.create();
+const scratchNormal = geo.cartesian3.create();
+
+/**
+ * Densifies straight segments into geodesic arcs: between each pair of
+ * points, steps of at most `granularity` radians along the great circle of
+ * their geodetic normals, the height interpolated linearly (Cesium's
+ * PolylineGeometry GEODESIC arcs, to within its own sampling).
+ */
+export function densifyGeodesic(flat, granularity = Math.PI / 180) {
+  const count = flat.length / 3;
+  if (count < 2) return Float64Array.from(flat);
+  const out = [];
+  const ellipsoid = geo.ellipsoid.WGS84;
+  const carto = (index) =>
+    geo.cartographic.fromCartesian(
+      geo.cartesian3.fromElements(
+        flat[index * 3],
+        flat[index * 3 + 1],
+        flat[index * 3 + 2],
+        scratchA,
+      ),
+      ellipsoid,
+    );
+  const normal = (place) => {
+    const cosLat = Math.cos(place.latitude);
+    return [
+      cosLat * Math.cos(place.longitude),
+      cosLat * Math.sin(place.longitude),
+      Math.sin(place.latitude),
+    ];
+  };
+  let from = carto(0);
+  for (let index = 1; index < count; index++) {
+    const to = carto(index);
+    const a = normal(from);
+    const b = normal(to);
+    const cos = Math.min(
+      1,
+      Math.max(-1, a[0] * b[0] + a[1] * b[1] + a[2] * b[2]),
+    );
+    const angle = Math.acos(cos);
+    const steps = Math.max(1, Math.ceil(angle / granularity - 1e-9));
+    const sin = Math.sin(angle);
+    for (let step = index === 1 ? 0 : 1; step <= steps; step++) {
+      const t = step / steps;
+      let n;
+      if (sin < 1e-12) n = a;
+      else {
+        const wa = Math.sin((1 - t) * angle) / sin;
+        const wb = Math.sin(t * angle) / sin;
+        n = [
+          wa * a[0] + wb * b[0],
+          wa * a[1] + wb * b[1],
+          wa * a[2] + wb * b[2],
+        ];
+      }
+      const length = Math.hypot(n[0], n[1], n[2]);
+      const latitude = Math.asin(n[2] / length);
+      const longitude = Math.atan2(n[1], n[0]);
+      const height = from.height + (to.height - from.height) * t;
+      geo.cartesian3.fromRadians(
+        longitude,
+        latitude,
+        height,
+        ellipsoid,
+        scratchNormal,
+      );
+      out.push(scratchNormal.x, scratchNormal.y, scratchNormal.z);
+    }
+    from = to;
+  }
+  return Float64Array.from(out);
+}
+
+/**
+ * engine.lines over an engine's drawing: `build(options)` returns the
+ * engine part ({ setPositions(flat), setColor(rgba), setModelMatrix(m),
+ * show(visible), destroy() }). Ids are unique while a line lives.
+ */
+export function createLineRegistry(build) {
+  const live = new Map();
+  const lines = {
+    createLine(input) {
+      const options = normalizeLineOptions(input);
+      if (live.has(options.id))
+        throw new Error(`Line ${options.id} already exists`);
+      const part = build(options);
+      const state = { options, part, points: 0, shown: true, destroyed: false };
+      const alive = () => {
+        if (state.destroyed) throw new Error('Line was destroyed');
+      };
+      const line = {
+        setPositions(positions) {
+          alive();
+          const flat = flattenPositions(positions);
+          state.points = flat.length / 3;
+          part.setPositions(flat);
+        },
+        setColor(color) {
+          alive();
+          if (!isColor(color)) fail('color must be [r, g, b, a]');
+          part.setColor([...color]);
+        },
+        setModelMatrix(matrix) {
+          alive();
+          if (!isMatrix(matrix)) fail('modelMatrix must be 16 numbers');
+          part.setModelMatrix([...matrix]);
+        },
+        show(visible) {
+          alive();
+          state.shown = Boolean(visible);
+          part.show(state.shown);
+        },
+        destroy() {
+          if (state.destroyed) return;
+          state.destroyed = true;
+          live.delete(options.id);
+          part.destroy();
+        },
+      };
+      state.line = line;
+      live.set(options.id, state);
+      return line;
+    },
+    list: () =>
+      [...live.values()].map(({ options, points, shown }) => ({
+        id: options.id,
+        points,
+        shown,
+      })),
+  };
+  return {
+    lines,
+    live,
+    destroyAll() {
+      for (const state of [...live.values()]) state.line.destroy();
+    },
+  };
+}
diff --git a/src/globe/lines.test.mjs b/src/globe/lines.test.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d7980cafe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/globe/lines.test.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
+import test from 'node:test';
+import * as geo from '../geo/index.js';
+import {
+  createLineRegistry,
+  densifyGeodesic,
+  flattenPositions,
+  normalizeLineOptions,
+  TACTICAL_DASH,
+} from './lines.js';
+
+test('line options get the contract defaults and refuse bad values', () => {
+  const line = normalizeLineOptions({
+    id: 'trail',
+    widthPx: 2,
+    color: [1, 0, 0, 1],
+  });
+  assert.equal(line.arc, 'none');
+  assert.equal(line.depthFailAlpha, 0);
+  assert.equal(line.dash, null);
+  assert.equal(line.modelMatrix, null);
+  const tactical = normalizeLineOptions({
+    id: 'orbit',
+    widthPx: 3,
+    color: [0, 1, 1, 0.95],
+    dash: 'tactical',
+    arc: 'geodesic',
+    depthFailAlpha: 0.3,
+    modelMatrix: [...geo.matrix4.IDENTITY],
+  });
+  assert.deepEqual(tactical.dash, { kind: 'tactical', ...TACTICAL_DASH });
+  const dashed = normalizeLineOptions({
+    id: 'path',
+    widthPx: 2,
+    color: [1, 1, 1, 1],
+    dash: { lengthPx: 16, gapPx: 8 },
+  });
+  assert.deepEqual(dashed.dash, { kind: 'pixels', lengthPx: 16, gapPx: 8 });
+  for (const options of [
+    {},
+    { id: 'a', widthPx: 0, color: [1, 1, 1, 1] },
+    { id: 'a', widthPx: 1, color: [1, 1, 1] },
+    { id: 'a', widthPx: 1, color: [1, 1, 1, 1], arc: 'rhumb' },
+    { id: 'a', widthPx: 1, color: [1, 1, 1, 1], depthFailAlpha: 2 },
+    { id: 'a', widthPx: 1, color: [1, 1, 1, 1], dash: 'dotted' },
+    { id: 'a', widthPx: 1, color: [1, 1, 1, 1], modelMatrix: [1, 2] },
+  ])
+    assert.throws(() => normalizeLineOptions(options), TypeError);
+});
+
+test('positions flatten from Cartesian3 lists or flat arrays', () => {
+  assert.deepEqual(
+    [
+      ...flattenPositions([
+        { x: 1, y: 2, z: 3 },
+        { x: 4, y: 5, z: 6 },
+      ]),
+    ],
+    [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6],
+  );
+  assert.deepEqual(
+    [...flattenPositions(new Float64Array([1, 2, 3]))],
+    [1, 2, 3],
+  );
+  assert.throws(() => flattenPositions([{ x: 1, y: 2 }]), TypeError);
+  assert.throws(() => flattenPositions(new Float64Array([1, 2])), TypeError);
+});
+
+test('geodesic densification follows the great circle with interpolated height', () => {
+  const a = geo.cartesian3.fromDegrees(0, 0, 1000);
+  const b = geo.cartesian3.fromDegrees(10, 0, 3000);
+  const flat = densifyGeodesic(flattenPositions([a, b]), Math.PI / 180);
+  const count = flat.length / 3;
+  assert.equal(count, 11, 'one point per degree');
+  for (let index = 0; index < count; index++) {
+    const point = geo.cartographic.fromCartesian(
+      geo.cartesian3.create(
+        flat[index * 3],
+        flat[index * 3 + 1],
+        flat[index * 3 + 2],
+      ),
+    );
+    assert.ok(Math.abs(geo.math.toDegrees(point.latitude)) < 1e-9);
+    assert.ok(Math.abs(geo.math.toDegrees(point.longitude) - index) < 1e-6);
+    assert.ok(Math.abs(point.height - (1000 + 200 * index)) < 1e-3);
+  }
+});
+
+test('the registry builds engine lines, lists them and refuses duplicates', () => {
+  const calls = [];
+  const { lines, destroyAll } = createLineRegistry((options) => ({
+    setPositions: (flat) => calls.push(['positions', options.id, flat.length]),
+    setColor: (rgba) => calls.push(['color', rgba]),
+    setModelMatrix: (m) => calls.push(['matrix', m.length]),
+    show: (visible) => calls.push(['show', visible]),
+    destroy: () => calls.push(['destroy', options.id]),
+  }));
+  const line = lines.createLine({ id: 't', widthPx: 2, color: [1, 1, 1, 1] });
+  line.setPositions([
+    { x: 1, y: 2, z: 3 },
+    { x: 4, y: 5, z: 6 },
+  ]);
+  line.setColor([0, 0, 0, 1]);
+  line.setModelMatrix([...geo.matrix4.IDENTITY]);
+  line.show(false);
+  assert.deepEqual(lines.list(), [{ id: 't', points: 2, shown: false }]);
+  assert.throws(
+    () => lines.createLine({ id: 't', widthPx: 1, color: [1, 1, 1, 1] }),
+    /already/,
+  );
+  assert.throws(() => line.setColor([1, 1]), TypeError);
+  destroyAll();
+  assert.deepEqual(lines.list(), []);
+  assert.deepEqual(calls.at(-1), ['destroy', 't']);
+  assert.throws(() => line.show(true), /destroyed/);
+});
+
+test('the tactical dash is the launches mission-orbit pattern', async () => {
+  const policy = await import('../layers/launches/policy.js');
+  assert.deepEqual(TACTICAL_DASH, {
+    groups: policy.MISSION_ORBIT_PATTERN_GROUPS,
+    dashes: policy.MISSION_ORBIT_DASHES_PER_GROUP,
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/globe/navara/createNavaraEngine.js b/src/globe/navara/createNavaraEngine.js
index 387f84aa8..4d792f38b 100644
--- a/src/globe/navara/createNavaraEngine.js
+++ b/src/globe/navara/createNavaraEngine.js
@@ -30,6 +30,12 @@ const NO_MOVERS = Object.freeze({
   },
   list: () => [],
 });
+const NO_LINES = Object.freeze({
+  createLine() {
+    throw new Error("Navara lines need the view's three runtime (lines/)");
+  },
+  list: () => [],
+});
 
 // Navara's drawn camera (view.camera.raw, a three PerspectiveCamera in
 // Earth-fixed metres): matrixWorld columns are right, up, back, position.
@@ -84,7 +90,8 @@ function rayRaisedEllipsoid({ origin, direction }, height) {
  *   it the engine only keeps the state) and the engine destroys it;
  *   `appClock` (the engine clock's time) defaults to the page's app clock;
  *   `movers` is engine.movers on the view's three runtime (movers/index.js;
- *   without it createSet throws) and the engine destroys it;
+ *   without it createSet throws), `lines` engine.lines (lines/index.js;
+ *   likewise), both destroyed with the engine;
  *   `fetch` and `clock` (the camera model's timers) are test seams.
  * @returns {import('../contract.js').GlobeEngine}
  */
@@ -97,6 +104,7 @@ export function createNavaraEngine(
     clock,
     appClock,
     movers: moversPort = null,
+    lines: linesPort = null,
     sharpen: sharpenPort = null,
   } = {},
 ) {
@@ -246,6 +254,7 @@ export function createNavaraEngine(
     maps: maps.maps,
     clock: engineClock.clock,
     movers: moversPort?.movers ?? NO_MOVERS,
+    lines: linesPort?.lines ?? NO_LINES,
     destroy() {
       if (destroyed) return;
       destroyed = true;
@@ -257,6 +266,7 @@ export function createNavaraEngine(
       maps.destroy();
       sharpenPort?.destroy();
       moversPort?.destroy();
+      linesPort?.destroy();
     },
     isDestroyed: () => destroyed,
     // Navara only, not contract: the ground the floor last sampled under
diff --git a/src/globe/navara/index.js b/src/globe/navara/index.js
index 0e78dea95..2600ca908 100644
--- a/src/globe/navara/index.js
+++ b/src/globe/navara/index.js
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import { forEachLuminanceUniform, navaraHooks } from './internals.js';
 import { buildNavaraLook } from './look.js';
 import { createNavaraSharpen } from './sharpen.js';
 import { createNavaraMovers } from './movers/index.js';
+import { createNavaraLines } from './lines/index.js';
 import {
   NAVARA_CONTEXT_ATTRIBUTES,
   navaraScenePlan,
@@ -117,6 +118,7 @@ export async function createNavaraGlobe({
       ...(appClock ? { appClock } : {}),
       sharpen: createNavaraSharpen(view),
       movers: createNavaraMovers(view),
+      lines: createNavaraLines(view),
     });
     const camera = engine.camera;
     let ground = Number.NaN;
diff --git a/src/globe/navara/lines/index.js b/src/globe/navara/lines/index.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..07b171fc3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/globe/navara/lines/index.js
@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+// engine.lines on Navara: each line is one Navara mesh descriptor (public
+// MeshDesc API, the transparent pass, unlit) holding its ribbon
+// (lineMesh.js). Geodesic arcs are densified on the CPU (src/globe/lines.js)
+// since the ribbon draws straight segments. Every change asks for one frame;
+// nothing animates on its own, so an idle view stays idle. Lines are not
+// pickable on Navara yet (trails never take a click; see phase 3 Task 4).
+
+import { MeshDesc } from '@navaramap/three';
+import { createLineRegistry, densifyGeodesic } from '../../lines.js';
+import { createLineMesh } from './lineMesh.js';
+
+const DESC_NAME = 'gevLine';
+const registered = new WeakSet();
+
+class GevLineDesc extends MeshDesc {
+  constructor(view, ctx, config) {
+    super(view, ctx, config);
+    this.gev = config[DESC_NAME];
+  }
+
+  getPassKey() {
+    return 'transparent';
+  }
+
+  createMesh() {
+    return this.gev.line.group;
+  }
+
+  update() {
+    const canvas = this.ctx.getRenderer().domElement;
+    this.gev.line.update(canvas.clientWidth, canvas.clientHeight);
+  }
+
+  onDestroy() {
+    this.gev.line.dispose();
+    super.onDestroy();
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * @param {object} view an initialised Navara ThreeView
+ * @returns {{ lines: import('../../contract.js').GlobeLines, destroy: () => void }}
+ */
+export function createNavaraLines(view) {
+  if (!registered.has(view)) {
+    view.registerMesh(DESC_NAME, GevLineDesc);
+    registered.add(view);
+  }
+  const request = () => view.forceUpdate();
+  const registry = createLineRegistry((options) => {
+    const line = createLineMesh(options);
+    const canvas = view.canvas;
+    if (canvas) line.update(canvas.clientWidth || 1, canvas.clientHeight || 1);
+    const handle = view.addMesh({ lit: false, [DESC_NAME]: { line } });
+    return {
+      setPositions(flat) {
+        line.setPositions(
+          options.arc === 'geodesic' ? densifyGeodesic(flat) : flat,
+        );
+        request();
+      },
+      setColor(rgba) {
+        line.setColor(rgba);
+        request();
+      },
+      setModelMatrix(matrix) {
+        line.setModelMatrix(matrix);
+        request();
+      },
+      show(visible) {
+        line.show(visible);
+        request();
+      },
+      destroy() {
+        handle.delete();
+        request();
+      },
+    };
+  });
+  return { lines: registry.lines, destroy: () => registry.destroyAll() };
+}
diff --git a/src/globe/navara/lines/lineMesh.js b/src/globe/navara/lines/lineMesh.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..042799a81
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/globe/navara/lines/lineMesh.js
@@ -0,0 +1,259 @@
+// The three side of a Navara line: a ribbon of one quad per segment whose
+// vertices are pushed apart in the vertex shader to the line's width in CSS
+// pixels (projected ends, the screen-space normal), so the width holds at any
+// distance. A second copy of the ribbon, drawn only where the scene hides it
+// (depthFunc GreaterDepth) with the alpha scaled, is depthFailAlpha. Dashes
+// in pixels are cut in the fragment shader along the segment's screen
+// direction (as Cesium's PolylineDash); the tactical dash is the launches'
+// pattern over the fraction along the whole line. Positions are relative to
+// the first point (the group sits there, in doubles), the model matrix
+// multiplies the group's transform (an orbit ring turned by GMST).
+
+import {
+  BufferAttribute,
+  BufferGeometry,
+  DoubleSide,
+  GreaterDepth,
+  Group,
+  LessEqualDepth,
+  Matrix4,
+  Mesh,
+  MeshBasicMaterial,
+} from 'three';
+
+const VERTEX_HEAD = /* glsl */ `
+attribute vec3 gevEnd;
+attribute vec2 gevSide;
+attribute float gevS;
+uniform vec2 uGevViewport;
+uniform float uGevWidthPx;
+varying float vGevS;
+varying float vGevT;
+varying vec2 vGevDirection;
+`;
+
+const VERTEX_PROJECT = /* glsl */ `
+vec4 gevA = projectionMatrix * modelViewMatrix * vec4(position, 1.0);
+vec4 gevB = projectionMatrix * modelViewMatrix * vec4(gevEnd, 1.0);
+// Ends behind the camera move along the segment to just in front of it.
+const float GEV_NEAR_W = 1e-3;
+if (gevA.w < GEV_NEAR_W) gevA = mix(gevA, gevB, (GEV_NEAR_W - gevA.w) / (gevB.w - gevA.w));
+if (gevB.w < GEV_NEAR_W) gevB = mix(gevB, gevA, (GEV_NEAR_W - gevB.w) / (gevA.w - gevB.w));
+vec2 gevScreenA = gevA.xy / gevA.w * 0.5 * uGevViewport;
+vec2 gevScreenB = gevB.xy / gevB.w * 0.5 * uGevViewport;
+vec2 gevDirection = gevScreenB - gevScreenA;
+gevDirection = length(gevDirection) > 1e-6 ? normalize(gevDirection) : vec2(1.0, 0.0);
+vec2 gevNormal = vec2(-gevDirection.y, gevDirection.x);
+gl_Position = gevSide.x < 0.5 ? gevA : gevB;
+gl_Position.xy += gevNormal * gevSide.y * uGevWidthPx / uGevViewport * gl_Position.w;
+vec4 mvPosition = modelViewMatrix * vec4(gevSide.x < 0.5 ? position : gevEnd, 1.0);
+vGevS = gevS;
+vGevT = gevSide.y * 0.5 + 0.5;
+vGevDirection = gevDirection;
+`;
+
+const FRAGMENT_HEAD = /* glsl */ `
+uniform vec4 uGevColor;
+uniform float uGevAlphaScale;
+uniform float uGevDash;
+uniform vec2 uGevDashPx;
+uniform vec2 uGevTactical;
+varying float vGevS;
+varying float vGevT;
+varying vec2 vGevDirection;
+float gevTactical() {
+  float groupPosition = fract(vGevS * uGevTactical.x);
+  float markPosition = groupPosition * (uGevTactical.y + 1.0);
+  float markIndex = floor(markPosition);
+  float localPosition = fract(markPosition);
+  float centerDistance = abs(localPosition - 0.5);
+  float edge = max(fwidth(localPosition) * 1.35, 0.012);
+  float dashAlong = 1.0 - smoothstep(0.27 - edge, 0.27 + edge, centerDistance);
+  float dashAcross = 1.0 - smoothstep(0.12, 0.24, abs(vGevT - 0.5));
+  float dotAlong = (localPosition - 0.5) / 0.32;
+  float dotAcross = (vGevT - 0.5) / 0.5;
+  float dot = 1.0 - smoothstep(0.78, 1.0, length(vec2(dotAlong, dotAcross)));
+  float isDot = 1.0 - step(0.5, markIndex);
+  return mix(dashAlong * dashAcross, dot, isDot) * mix(0.58, 1.0, isDot);
+}
+`;
+
+const FRAGMENT_COLOR = /* glsl */ `
+#include <color_fragment>
+diffuseColor = uGevColor;
+diffuseColor.a *= uGevAlphaScale;
+if (uGevDash > 1.5) {
+  diffuseColor.a *= gevTactical();
+} else if (uGevDash > 0.5) {
+  float gevAlong = dot(gl_FragCoord.xy, vGevDirection);
+  if (mod(gevAlong, uGevDashPx.x + uGevDashPx.y) > uGevDashPx.x) discard;
+}
+`;
+
+/** Patches three's MeshBasicMaterial shaders into the pixel-width ribbon. */
+export function patchLineShader(shader, uniforms) {
+  Object.assign(shader.uniforms, uniforms);
+  const replace = (source, from, to) => {
+    if (!source.includes(from))
+      throw new Error(`Line shader: three has no ${from}`);
+    return source.replace(from, to);
+  };
+  shader.vertexShader = replace(
+    replace(
+      shader.vertexShader,
+      'void main() {',
+      `${VERTEX_HEAD}\nvoid main() {`,
+    ),
+    '#include <project_vertex>',
+    VERTEX_PROJECT,
+  );
+  shader.fragmentShader = replace(
+    replace(
+      shader.fragmentShader,
+      'void main() {',
+      `${FRAGMENT_HEAD}\nvoid main() {`,
+    ),
+    '#include <color_fragment>',
+    FRAGMENT_COLOR,
+  );
+  return shader;
+}
+
+/**
+ * The ribbon geometry of a flat position list, relative to `origin`: per
+ * segment 4 vertices (start/end × side) and 2 triangles; `gevS` is the
+ * fraction of the line's length at the vertex's end.
+ */
+export function buildRibbon(flat, origin) {
+  const points = flat.length / 3;
+  const segments = Math.max(0, points - 1);
+  const start = new Float32Array(segments * 12);
+  const end = new Float32Array(segments * 12);
+  const side = new Float32Array(segments * 8);
+  const along = new Float32Array(segments * 4);
+  const index = new Uint32Array(segments * 6);
+  const cumulative = new Float64Array(points);
+  for (let p = 1; p < points; p++)
+    cumulative[p] =
+      cumulative[p - 1] +
+      Math.hypot(
+        flat[p * 3] - flat[p * 3 - 3],
+        flat[p * 3 + 1] - flat[p * 3 - 2],
+        flat[p * 3 + 2] - flat[p * 3 - 1],
+      );
+  const total = cumulative[points - 1] || 1;
+  for (let s = 0; s < segments; s++) {
+    const a = s * 3;
+    const b = a + 3;
+    for (let v = 0; v < 4; v++) {
+      const vertex = s * 4 + v;
+      for (let k = 0; k < 3; k++) {
+        start[vertex * 3 + k] = flat[a + k] - origin[k];
+        end[vertex * 3 + k] = flat[b + k] - origin[k];
+      }
+      const atEnd = v >= 2 ? 1 : 0;
+      side[vertex * 2] = atEnd;
+      side[vertex * 2 + 1] = v % 2 === 0 ? 1 : -1;
+      along[vertex] = cumulative[s + atEnd] / total;
+    }
+    index.set(
+      [s * 4, s * 4 + 1, s * 4 + 2, s * 4 + 2, s * 4 + 1, s * 4 + 3],
+      s * 6,
+    );
+  }
+  const geometry = new BufferGeometry();
+  geometry.setAttribute('position', new BufferAttribute(start, 3));
+  geometry.setAttribute('gevEnd', new BufferAttribute(end, 3));
+  geometry.setAttribute('gevSide', new BufferAttribute(side, 2));
+  geometry.setAttribute('gevS', new BufferAttribute(along, 1));
+  geometry.setIndex(new BufferAttribute(index, 1));
+  return geometry;
+}
+
+/** @param {ReturnType<import('../../lines.js').normalizeLineOptions>} options */
+export function createLineMesh(options) {
+  const dash = options.dash;
+  const shared = {
+    uGevViewport: { value: [1, 1] },
+    uGevWidthPx: { value: options.widthPx },
+    uGevColor: { value: [...options.color] },
+    uGevDash: { value: dash?.kind === 'tactical' ? 2 : dash ? 1 : 0 },
+    uGevDashPx: {
+      value: dash?.kind === 'pixels' ? [dash.lengthPx, dash.gapPx] : [1, 0],
+    },
+    uGevTactical: {
+      value: dash?.kind === 'tactical' ? [dash.groups, dash.dashes] : [1, 1],
+    },
+  };
+  const material = (alphaScale, depthFunc) => {
+    const value = new MeshBasicMaterial({
+      transparent: true,
+      depthWrite: false,
+      depthFunc,
+      side: DoubleSide,
+    });
+    const uniforms = { ...shared, uGevAlphaScale: { value: alphaScale } };
+    value.onBeforeCompile = (shader) => patchLineShader(shader, uniforms);
+    value.customProgramCacheKey = () => 'gev-line';
+    return value;
+  };
+  const group = new Group();
+  group.matrixAutoUpdate = false;
+  group.frustumCulled = false;
+  const main = new Mesh(new BufferGeometry(), material(1, LessEqualDepth));
+  main.frustumCulled = false;
+  main.renderOrder = options.order;
+  group.add(main);
+  let behind = null;
+  if (options.depthFailAlpha > 0) {
+    behind = new Mesh(
+      main.geometry,
+      material(options.depthFailAlpha, GreaterDepth),
+    );
+    behind.frustumCulled = false;
+    behind.renderOrder = options.order;
+    group.add(behind);
+  }
+  let origin = [0, 0, 0];
+  const model = new Matrix4();
+  if (options.modelMatrix) model.fromArray(options.modelMatrix);
+  const place = () => {
+    group.matrix
+      .copy(model)
+      .multiply(new Matrix4().makeTranslation(origin[0], origin[1], origin[2]));
+    group.matrixWorldNeedsUpdate = true;
+  };
+  place();
+  return {
+    group,
+    uniforms: shared,
+    meshes: () => (behind ? [main, behind] : [main]),
+    setPositions(flat) {
+      const previous = main.geometry;
+      origin = flat.length >= 3 ? [flat[0], flat[1], flat[2]] : [0, 0, 0];
+      const geometry = buildRibbon(flat, origin);
+      main.geometry = geometry;
+      if (behind) behind.geometry = geometry;
+      previous.dispose();
+      place();
+    },
+    setColor(rgba) {
+      shared.uGevColor.value = [...rgba];
+    },
+    setModelMatrix(matrix) {
+      model.fromArray(matrix);
+      place();
+    },
+    show(visible) {
+      group.visible = visible;
+    },
+    /** Each drawn frame: the viewport the pixel width is measured in. */
+    update(width, height) {
+      shared.uGevViewport.value = [width, height];
+    },
+    dispose() {
+      main.geometry.dispose();
+      for (const mesh of [main, behind]) mesh?.material.dispose();
+    },
+  };
+}
diff --git a/src/globe/navara/lines/lineMesh.test.mjs b/src/globe/navara/lines/lineMesh.test.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3dc232bb6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/globe/navara/lines/lineMesh.test.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
+import test from 'node:test';
+import {
+  GreaterDepth,
+  Matrix4,
+  ShaderLib,
+  UniformsUtils,
+  Vector3,
+} from 'three';
+import { normalizeLineOptions } from '../../lines.js';
+import { buildRibbon, createLineMesh, patchLineShader } from './lineMesh.js';
+
+const flat = new Float64Array([
+  6_378_137, 0, 0, 6_378_137, 300, 0, 6_378_137, 300, 400,
+]);
+
+test('the ribbon has a quad per segment relative to the first point', () => {
+  const geometry = buildRibbon(flat, [6_378_137, 0, 0]);
+  assert.equal(geometry.getAttribute('position').count, 8);
+  assert.equal(geometry.index.count, 12);
+  assert.deepEqual(
+    [...geometry.getAttribute('gevEnd').array.subarray(0, 3)],
+    [0, 300, 0],
+  );
+  // The fraction along the line: 0 at the start, 300/700 at the joint, 1 at the end.
+  const s = geometry.getAttribute('gevS').array;
+  assert.deepEqual([s[0], s[2]], [0, 300 / 700].map(Math.fround));
+  assert.equal(s[7], 1);
+  const side = geometry.getAttribute('gevSide').array;
+  assert.deepEqual([...side.subarray(0, 8)], [0, 1, 0, -1, 1, 1, 1, -1]);
+});
+
+test('the shader patch widens the ribbon in pixels and cuts dashes', () => {
+  const shader = patchLineShader(
+    {
+      uniforms: UniformsUtils.clone(ShaderLib.basic.uniforms),
+      vertexShader: ShaderLib.basic.vertexShader,
+      fragmentShader: ShaderLib.basic.fragmentShader,
+    },
+    { uGevWidthPx: { value: 3 } },
+  );
+  assert.match(
+    shader.vertexShader,
+    /uGevWidthPx \/ uGevViewport \* gl_Position\.w/,
+  );
+  assert.match(
+    shader.fragmentShader,
+    /mod\(gevAlong, uGevDashPx\.x \+ uGevDashPx\.y\)/,
+  );
+  assert.match(shader.fragmentShader, /float gevTactical\(\)/);
+});
+
+test('a line places its group at the first point under its model matrix', () => {
+  const turn = new Matrix4().makeRotationZ(Math.PI / 2);
+  const line = createLineMesh(
+    normalizeLineOptions({
+      id: 'orbit',
+      widthPx: 3,
+      color: [0, 1, 1, 1],
+      depthFailAlpha: 0.3,
+      dash: 'tactical',
+      modelMatrix: turn.toArray(),
+    }),
+  );
+  line.setPositions(flat);
+  const origin = new Vector3().setFromMatrixPosition(line.group.matrix);
+  // (6378137, 0, 0) turned 90° about z.
+  assert.ok(Math.abs(origin.x) < 1e-6 && Math.abs(origin.y - 6_378_137) < 1e-6);
+  const [main, behind] = line.meshes();
+  assert.equal(behind.material.depthFunc, GreaterDepth);
+  assert.equal(main.geometry, behind.geometry);
+  assert.equal(line.uniforms.uGevDash.value, 2);
+  assert.deepEqual(line.uniforms.uGevTactical.value, [4, 100]);
+  line.setColor([1, 0, 0, 0.5]);
+  assert.deepEqual(line.uniforms.uGevColor.value, [1, 0, 0, 0.5]);
+  line.show(false);
+  assert.equal(line.group.visible, false);
+  line.dispose();
+});
diff --git a/src/globe/testing/contractSuite.mjs b/src/globe/testing/contractSuite.mjs
index 371c4d19b..8dc4588ab 100644
--- a/src/globe/testing/contractSuite.mjs
+++ b/src/globe/testing/contractSuite.mjs
@@ -591,6 +591,116 @@ export function createContractSuite(
         );
       },
     ],
+    [
+      'lines: a line draws between its projections, turns with its model matrix and dims where hidden',
+      async () => {
+        await nadirView(1e6);
+        // 20 km up: above any ground the scene draws.
+        const at = (lon, lat, height = 20_000) =>
+          cartesian3.fromDegrees(lon, lat, height);
+        const line = engine.lines.createLine({
+          id: 'contract-line',
+          widthPx: 8,
+          color: [1, 0, 1, 1],
+        });
+        const hidden = engine.lines.createLine({
+          id: 'contract-line-hidden',
+          widthPx: 10,
+          color: [1, 0, 1, 1],
+          depthFailAlpha: 0.6,
+        });
+        try {
+          line.setPositions([at(19, 9), at(20, 9), at(21, 9)]);
+          ensure(
+            engine.lines
+              .list()
+              .some(({ id, points }) => id === 'contract-line' && points === 3),
+            'lines.list() does not show the line',
+          );
+          if (!readRegion) return;
+          // Magenta-leaning pixels (red and blue over green; a dimmed copy
+          // over a light map stays above 30) near a point.
+          // The strongest magenta lean near a point (for dimmer-than).
+          const strength = (position) => {
+            const screen = engine.projector.worldToWindow(position);
+            const data = readRegion(
+              Math.round(screen.x) - 6,
+              Math.round(screen.y) - 6,
+              12,
+              12,
+            );
+            let best = -255;
+            for (let i = 0; i < data.length; i += 4)
+              best = Math.max(
+                best,
+                Math.min(data[i], data[i + 2]) - data[i + 1],
+              );
+            return best;
+          };
+          const magentaAt = (position) => {
+            const screen = engine.projector.worldToWindow(position);
+            if (!screen) return 0;
+            const data = readRegion(
+              Math.round(screen.x) - 6,
+              Math.round(screen.y) - 6,
+              12,
+              12,
+            );
+            let count = 0;
+            for (let i = 0; i < data.length; i += 4)
+              if (
+                Math.min(data[i], data[i + 2]) - data[i + 1] > 30 &&
+                data[i] > 120
+              )
+                count++;
+            return count;
+          };
+          await until(
+            () => magentaAt(at(19.5, 9)) > 10 && magentaAt(at(20.5, 9)) > 10,
+            'the line drawn along both segments',
+          );
+          ensure(magentaAt(at(19.5, 10.5)) === 0, 'line pixels off the line');
+          // Turned 1° about the Earth's axis: the line moves 1° east.
+          const turn = (radians) => {
+            const c = Math.cos(radians);
+            const s = Math.sin(radians);
+            return [c, s, 0, 0, -s, c, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1];
+          };
+          line.setModelMatrix(turn(math.toRadians(1)));
+          await until(
+            () => magentaAt(at(21.5, 9)) > 10 && magentaAt(at(19.25, 9)) === 0,
+            'the turned line drawn 1° east',
+          );
+          const shownStrength = strength(at(20.5, 9));
+          line.show(false);
+          await until(() => magentaAt(at(20.5, 9)) === 0, 'the line hidden');
+          // 30 km under the ground: only the depth-fail copy shows, dimmed.
+          const deep = (lon) => at(lon, 11, -30_000);
+          hidden.setPositions([deep(19), deep(21)]);
+          await until(
+            () => magentaAt(deep(20)) > 10,
+            'the hidden line drawn by its depth-fail copy',
+          );
+          const hiddenStrength = strength(deep(20));
+          ensure(
+            hiddenStrength < shownStrength,
+            `the depth-fail copy (${hiddenStrength}) is not dimmer than the line (${shownStrength})`,
+          );
+          hidden.destroy();
+          await until(
+            () => magentaAt(deep(20)) === 0,
+            'the destroyed line gone',
+          );
+        } finally {
+          line.destroy();
+          hidden.destroy();
+        }
+        ensure(
+          !engine.lines.list().some(({ id }) => id.startsWith('contract-line')),
+          'a destroyed line is still listed',
+        );
+      },
+    ],
     [
       'render: continuous mode toggles',
       async () => {
diff --git a/src/globe/testing/fakeEngine.js b/src/globe/testing/fakeEngine.js
index 541e55995..1b1bad131 100644
--- a/src/globe/testing/fakeEngine.js
+++ b/src/globe/testing/fakeEngine.js
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import {
   mergeSharpen,
 } from '../contract.js';
 import { createAppClock } from '../../time/clock.js';
+import { createLineRegistry } from '../lines.js';
 import { createMoverRegistry } from '../movers.js';
 
 const { cartesian2, cartesian3, cartographic, ellipsoid, math, matrix4 } = geo;
@@ -261,6 +262,42 @@ export function createFakeEngine(options = {}) {
   let wallMs = options.nowMs ?? FAKE_EPOCH_MS;
   const appClock = options.appClock ?? createAppClock({ now: () => wallMs });
   const ownsWall = !options.appClock;
+  // Lines keep what they were given; each change counts as a render request.
+  const fakeLines = new Map();
+  const lineRegistry = createLineRegistry((options) => {
+    const state = {
+      options,
+      positions: new Float64Array(0),
+      color: [...options.color],
+      modelMatrix: options.modelMatrix,
+      shown: true,
+    };
+    fakeLines.set(options.id, state);
+    const changed = () => {
+      fake.renderRequests++;
+    };
+    return {
+      setPositions(flat) {
+        state.positions = flat;
+        changed();
+      },
+      setColor(rgba) {
+        state.color = rgba;
+        changed();
+      },
+      setModelMatrix(matrix) {
+        state.modelMatrix = matrix;
+        changed();
+      },
+      show(visible) {
+        state.shown = visible;
+        changed();
+      },
+      destroy() {
+        fakeLines.delete(options.id);
+      },
+    };
+  });
   // Movers keep their store for tests; commit counts as a render request.
   const moverRegistry = createMoverRegistry(() => {
     const part = {
@@ -807,6 +844,7 @@ export function createFakeEngine(options = {}) {
       horizonVisible,
     },
     movers: moverRegistry.movers,
+    lines: lineRegistry.lines,
     clock: {
       now: () => appClock.now(),
       frameTime: () => appClock.frameTime(),
@@ -922,6 +960,7 @@ export function createFakeEngine(options = {}) {
       record('destroy', []);
       cancelCurrentFlight();
       moverRegistry.destroyAll();
+      lineRegistry.destroyAll();
       fake.destroyed = true;
     },
     isDestroyed: () => fake.destroyed,
@@ -982,6 +1021,8 @@ export function createFakeEngine(options = {}) {
       scripts.delete(name);
     },
     lookAtTarget: () => (lookAtTarget ? copy3(lookAtTarget) : undefined),
+    /** A live line's options, positions, colour, matrix and visibility, by id. */
+    line: (id) => fakeLines.get(id),
     /** A live mover set's options, store and commit count, by id. */
     moverSet(id) {
       const entry = moverRegistry.sets.get(id);
diff --git a/src/globe/testing/fakeEngine.test.mjs b/src/globe/testing/fakeEngine.test.mjs
index 44275e3eb..e28ce982b 100644
--- a/src/globe/testing/fakeEngine.test.mjs
+++ b/src/globe/testing/fakeEngine.test.mjs
@@ -474,3 +474,26 @@ test('fake movers keep their sets and instances for layer tests', () => {
   assert.deepEqual(engine.movers.list(), []);
   assert.equal(engine.fake.moverSet('flights'), undefined);
 });
+
+test('fake lines keep their positions, colour, matrix and visibility', () => {
+  const engine = createFakeEngine();
+  const line = engine.lines.createLine({
+    id: 'trail',
+    widthPx: 2,
+    color: [1, 0, 0, 1],
+  });
+  line.setPositions([
+    { x: 1, y: 2, z: 3 },
+    { x: 4, y: 5, z: 6 },
+  ]);
+  line.show(false);
+  const stored = engine.fake.line('trail');
+  assert.deepEqual([...stored.positions], [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]);
+  assert.deepEqual(stored.color, [1, 0, 0, 1]);
+  assert.equal(stored.shown, false);
+  assert.deepEqual(engine.lines.list(), [
+    { id: 'trail', points: 2, shown: false },
+  ]);
+  line.destroy();
+  assert.equal(engine.fake.line('trail'), undefined);
+});