There is nothing in the OPs post to suggest that. Perhaps
@Arrowood could clarify exactly -why- they want to be able to turn data in remotely?
In general agreed; However,
@Lestat has a point.
As I see it, there are a four basic possibilities for wanting something along the lines of the OP's proposal:
- Concern over losing data to pirates after a long trip (whether PvE or PvP)
- Concern over losing data to own mistakes
- Concern over not getting the appropriate recognition/credits for being the first to discover something (due to other explorers doing shorter trips)
- Finally, just not wanting to have to dock somewhere to have to turn in the data (i.e. wants to just stay out in the black)
WRT item 4 - while I understand the desire it is not really a solid justification IMO. If you are out in the black, you don't really need the credits while you are there.
WRT items 1 and 2 - essentially the same fundamental reason but again I can not see either as a solid justification for the OP's proposal.
WRT item 3 - that is part of the course, a simple answer would be for the first discovery/mapping tag to be automatically applied as soon as someone does it but they only get the credit rewards for it if they manage to turn the data in somewhere. This however could prove contentious but a precedent has already been set by the 3.3 exploration revisions in essence.
The other proposal in this thread of having a limited capability/quantity messaging drone solution is perhaps a fair one BUT it should have a chance of failure with the data being still potentially lost as a result. With such a drone, if the player suicides or dies though - any credits gained should probably be added to their rebuy.
Personally, I do not think the status quo should change wrt the necessity to dock somewhere to both gain credits and wider recognition for discoveries.