Exploration, Mining and Trading, oh my!

[Mohenjo]

So, I've been thinking about this, and I've decided that there are certain bits of equipment that would be needed to make the "ideal" exploration ship. Tell me what you think.

You would need:

1. D Scanner (Advanced preferably)
2. Detail Surface Scanner
3. Fuel Scoop
4. SRV Hangar
5. Refinery (min 4 hoppers) & Mining Laser
6. Collector Limpets (maybe)
7. Cargo Bay

Now, I've been flying a T6 for pretty much all purposes, but I find myself in a quandry because I can't fit all this on the ship! Looks like I'll be working toward that T7 after all.

What do you think of my suggestions? Some may say I don't need the refinery or mining gear, but it seems to me part of the point of being out there in the unknown is to find new resources. Can't really so that without the mining gear. I might get away without the limpets, and scoop manually, but that's kind of tedious.

How's your ideal ship look?

 

[Cmdr Frawd Digger]

So, I've been thinking about this, and I've decided that there are certain bits of equipment that would be needed to make the "ideal" exploration ship. Tell me what you think.

You would need:

1. D Scanner (Advanced preferably)
2. Detail Surface Scanner
3. Fuel Scoop
4. SRV Hangar
5. Refinery (min 4 hoppers) & Mining Laser
6. Collector Limpets (maybe)
7. Cargo Bay

Now, I've been flying a T6 for pretty much all purposes, but I find myself in a quandry because I can't fit all this on the ship! Looks like I'll be working toward that T7 after all.
What do you think of my suggestions? Some may say I don't need the refinery or mining gear, but it seems to me part of the point of being out there in the unknown is to find new resources. Can't really so that without the mining gear. I might get away without the limpets, and scoop manually, but that's kind of tedious.
How's your ideal ship look?

I'm guessing a short term exploration mission?...because as soon as you fill up on the mining products you would need to come back? Are there elements in rings out in the black that cannot be found in or near the bubble?

I'm just trying to understand why you would want to combine mining with exploring...

Frawd

 

[Zenith]

I can understand the desire to mine as well as explore because you're physically sampling the system in question.
Unfortunately, the mechanics of the game mean that the more you mine, the harder it gets to explore. You simply get more mass and that means reduced jump range.

What might be worthwhile is taking an Asp, fitting it for exploration and then fitting it for basic mining. The jump range of the ship with a 5A FSD is brilliant. Adding the mass of controllers, limpets and mining lasers would eat into the range, but you'd still have a workable jump range.

 

[Grebenkov]

Interesting idea for a short-range, near-bubble exploration. Go looking for pristine metallic rings while exploring, mine platinum, get back home and sell it for extra cash. Not sure what is the best ship for that. As I see it, range is not a big issue, you don't need to go that far out. Large cargo hold, enough internals to fit all the equipment, and ability to defend or run, as precious minerals will surely attract pirates when you return.

 

[Cmdr Frawd Digger]

I can understand the desire to mine as well as explore because you're physically sampling the system in question.
Unfortunately, the mechanics of the game mean that the more you mine, the harder it gets to explore. You simply get more mass and that means reduced jump range.

What might be worthwhile is taking an Asp, fitting it for exploration and then fitting it for basic mining. The jump range of the ship with a 5A FSD is brilliant. Adding the mass of controllers, limpets and mining lasers would eat into the range, but you'd still have a workable jump range.

Agreed...mining as a means to sample systems etc would fit into exploration...but do you need to mine to "sample" a system? Is the information on rings etc not in the scan data?

Frawd