That's nuts. This is what you need, in order of priority for exploring.
1. Scoop, obviously
2. ADS, obviously
3. DSS, for more exploration data but I've seen explorers skip this nonetheless.
4. SRV, for synthesis materials gathering and scanning Thargoid/Guardian/Unknown surface installations.
FWIW, the
real purpose of a DSS is that it allows you to establish the material composition of a planet or asteroid belt in order to obtain any mat's required (for synthesis or jumponium) during your travels.
You
can explore without one, in the same way that you
can explore without an ADS but it means you're pretty-much "flying blind".
I think most people just fit an ADS and DSS automatically, which means they often don't stop to think
why they're doing it, or what functionality would be lost if they don't.
For me, the priorities for exploration are as follows:-
1) Fuel scoop (to get around).
2) ADS (to see where you're going).
2) DSS (to see what's there).
2) SRV (to get what's there).
2) Mining Laser (to get what's there).
3) Shield (to provide safety).
3) AFMU (to provide repairs).
4) Repair limpet controller (to provide additional repairs).
4) Cargo rack (to provide holding space for limpets).
5) Anything else.
Ships such as the Eagle and Sidey don't
quite allow you to pack everything you need for priority 1/2 which means you have to make some
really serious compromises (probably dumping the SRV and forcing you to rely on asteroids to gather mat's in space).
The DBX, with 6 slots, is the first contender that allows you to cover all the priority 1/2/3 stuff with no space for
any priority 4 stuff.
The AspX, with 7 slots, is really no more useful than the DBX because 1 more slot doesn't allow you to fit a repair limpet controller
and a cargo rack, both of which are required to cover priority 4 stuff.
In a nutshell, a ship
needs 4 slots to be minimally competent for exploration, 6 slots to be adequate and 8 (or more) slots to be fully capable.