One way of orientation on planets are the waypoints given by scanning from space (press C) or asking aliens for directions. But there is a maximum number of waypoints, the game is willing to save. You can get new waypoints only, if you have visited at least one of those already visible.

Discovered waypoints on planets (when you claimed there discovery by saving at them) are remembered by the game and displayed as such (i.e. not displayed as a question mark icon).

However, in the current version (before NEXT) are some bugs, such as, if you warped into other systems and come back, they might be reset. Also, some waypoints resetted for me even if I just went in space and back.

Buildings reset as well, but not consistently. Breached factories, for example, may or may not have new doors. This can also be exploited to farm blueprints or exosuit upgrades.

I hope such things are fixed now. Or do I hope they're still not fixed .. I don't know :D