Suggested plan for a future update (not 2.2, way too complicated).
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Add a new module that replaces existing scanner modules. Call it a 'Survey Platform'. It comes in sizes 1, 2 & 3, and like the current discovery scanner requires being assigned to fire-group to use.
This module has internal slots like SRV and Fighter bays. Size 1 has 2 slots, Size 2 has 3 slots, and Size 3 has 4 slots.
Each slot can hold a piece of survey equipment. There are three types of survey equipment initially. These are:
- Gravitic Scanner
- Imaging Array
- Spectrographic Analyser
Each type of survey equipment has the full range of quality from E to A with appropriate heat generation when a honk is triggered.
By default new ships come with a size 1 survey platform, that has an E quality Gravitic Scanner, and an E quality Imaging Array installed. This replaces the current Basic Discovery Scanner.
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Gravitic Scanners, are the equivalent of today's discovery scanners.
Instead of having a maximum range, and all bodies within that range being discovered on a honk, they instead have a probability rating for each of the three current range bands (which might need re-balancing), 0 to 500ls, 500ls to 1000ls and 1000ls to infinity. Higher quality gravitic scanners have higher probabilities at each range, lower quality ones have lower probabilities. The probabilities are set so that an A quality scanner is still not absolutely certain to find everything at the shortest range every time, and an E quaility scanner still has a small chance to find bodies at the longest range. Maybe something like 90%/75%/65% for A rated, and 60%/30%/10% for E rated.
When a honk is triggered, a roll is made, for every undiscovered body in the system, against the appropriate probability value for the body's distance adjusted by it mass. Those bodies where the roll succeeds are discovered. Discovered bodies are shown on the system map graphics similar to 2.1. High body mass increases discovery chance above rating, low body mass decreases chance below rating.
Stacking multiple gravitic scanners within the same survey platform has the effect of increasing discovery probability somewhat with diminishing returns.
Unlike (I believe!) today's discovery scanners Gravitic scanners don't reveal ring type or quality.
Synthesis and engineering: probability, importance of mass.
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Imaging Arrays, are used to reveal 2.2 style planetary maps for bodies that have them, and enhance exploration payout for all bodies (because you've got pics!)
When a honk is triggered, a certain number of discovered bodies that have not yet been imaged are imaged. The number of bodies that are imaged increases with the quality of the Imaging Array. Even low quality imaging arrays should be able to image a fair number of bodies in this mode.
When not honking, all imaging arrays whatever their quality, after a short scan interval, image bodies that are directly targeted with the survey platform, regardless of distance. Ideally in this mode the image of the body will additionally appear in the info panel when imaging is complete.
Imaged bodies show the enhanced 2.2 style planetary map on the system map where applicable.
Stacking multiple imaging arrays within the same survey platform increases the number of bodies that can be imaged with a honk.
Synthesis and Engineering: TBD.
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Spectrographic Analysers, are the equivalent of today's detailed surface scanners. They require either an Imaging Array or a Gravitic Scanner on the same Survey Platform to operate.
When a honk is triggered, each body in the system has been discovered -- either on this honk or previously -- has a chance of being analysed, revealing the information that the detailed surface scanner provides now, plus the type of any rings and their quality. The analysis chance increases with quality but remains fairly low (probably not more the 20% base chance?)
When not honking, spectrographic analysers, after a short scan interval, perform analysis of the image and gravitic data for body directly target with the survey platform within their range. The minimum range that analysis can take place for a body is that same as the current detailed surface scanner. This increases upwards based on the quality of both the analyser and the other survey equipment in the bay (they are providing better data to analyse).
Unlike (I believe!) today's detailed surface scanners, spectrographic analysers, are required to reveal ring type and quality.
Stacking multiple spectographic analysers increases honk analysis chance and range.
Synthesis and Engineering: Range, and analysis chance on a honk.
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General points
Even with the best equipment, you may need more than one honk to discover all the bodies in the system.
Since honks generate heat such that multiple honks in quick succession with low quality equipment might cause heat problems.
There are a number of different exploration loadouts that might be viable with size 3 Survey Platform module.
Since rings now need a spectrographic analyser (DSS equivalent) to know anything about, exploration payouts for rings should be boosted or added if they don't exist.
For maximum exploration payout for a body you now need First Discovery + Gravitic Scan + Imaging + Spectragraphic Analysis
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TL;DR Too much RNG? Too much RNG!
. However, in exploration I'm always torn between taking my time and seeing the sights versus being efficient with my time. I'm not in the beta, but the feature I was most excited about was the ability to see the detailed surface of every body in the system after a honk of my exploration scanner. I don't care about fighters, and I rarely see the inside of a station... Exploration is the heart of what I find so interesting about E
