I have no problem with the advanced discovery scanner as it should be entirely possible to detect the contents of a system due to their gravity, light reflected and effects on other bodies in the system, certainly the larger bodies anyway.
The detailed surface scan mechanic i am ok with as well as atmospheric composition through mass spectrometry is logical, likely planetary composition can be hinted at from calculating densities and size of the object, signs of life would be evident again from clues in the atmosphere. (having to get right up close to scan every object in a system could be a bit of a grind). So i am not too bothered with the way that works.
However to get really useful data on a solar system body would and should require observation over time. This role could be filled by microsatellites.
Micro satellites,
Take them with you when you set out, at 10kg each you could get 100 per tonne of cargo space, let’s say you would require 5 in orbit round the target body meaning the capacity to scan in great detail 20 objects for each tonne of microsats you take with you, providing a trade off between the jump distance and the number of highly detailed scans you could carry out.
So you put five in orbit around an interesting planet or any celestial body, they would then begin their survey which would take a certain amount of time let’s say 2 or 3 days as a minimum though you could leave them there as long as you liked. You leave them to do their job while you go off continuing exploration or whatever you liked.
A marker could be place on the galaxy map to show in which system currently deployed satellites are located, red to indicate those still scanning and a change to green when the data is ready to collect.
Anytime after the minimum time you can revisit the system and upload the data from the satellites, you just have to be anywhere in that system to do this, it could even be automated.
Survey results
High Metal Content worlds /Asteroid fields– Geological survey, Info on the types, locations and quantities of the various metals would be useful to mining and prospecting companies
Earth like, terraforming and water worlds/worlds with life – Additional data on types and diversity of life, mapping for colony locations, ancient ruins, interesting phenomena.
The satellites could also detect evidence of extinct civs on planets or derelict stations in orbit, basically anything that can be found on, in or orbiting a given body could be included,
You would also be identifying good targets to go to when the planetary landing update is released.
.
The detailed surface scan mechanic i am ok with as well as atmospheric composition through mass spectrometry is logical, likely planetary composition can be hinted at from calculating densities and size of the object, signs of life would be evident again from clues in the atmosphere. (having to get right up close to scan every object in a system could be a bit of a grind). So i am not too bothered with the way that works.
However to get really useful data on a solar system body would and should require observation over time. This role could be filled by microsatellites.
Micro satellites,
Take them with you when you set out, at 10kg each you could get 100 per tonne of cargo space, let’s say you would require 5 in orbit round the target body meaning the capacity to scan in great detail 20 objects for each tonne of microsats you take with you, providing a trade off between the jump distance and the number of highly detailed scans you could carry out.
So you put five in orbit around an interesting planet or any celestial body, they would then begin their survey which would take a certain amount of time let’s say 2 or 3 days as a minimum though you could leave them there as long as you liked. You leave them to do their job while you go off continuing exploration or whatever you liked.
A marker could be place on the galaxy map to show in which system currently deployed satellites are located, red to indicate those still scanning and a change to green when the data is ready to collect.
Anytime after the minimum time you can revisit the system and upload the data from the satellites, you just have to be anywhere in that system to do this, it could even be automated.
Survey results
High Metal Content worlds /Asteroid fields– Geological survey, Info on the types, locations and quantities of the various metals would be useful to mining and prospecting companies
Earth like, terraforming and water worlds/worlds with life – Additional data on types and diversity of life, mapping for colony locations, ancient ruins, interesting phenomena.
The satellites could also detect evidence of extinct civs on planets or derelict stations in orbit, basically anything that can be found on, in or orbiting a given body could be included,
You would also be identifying good targets to go to when the planetary landing update is released.
.
