Miley's Void adventure, summer 2025

[Lysander666]

Hi all,

This is my first exploration thread, and I don't really know why I'm making it other than to say I am looking forward to this outing from Colonia to The Void. It may take me all summer, or longer, or less! I wanted to share it anyway.

Look! A graphic! Woo.

OK, a little about me and my fleet. I'll try and keep this interesting.

I am first and foremost an explorer, Pioneer rank. I am rubbish in combat, get bored in exobiology but I do enjoy trading. I made some decent money from trading, exploring and some help from FC commanders, and though I am not wealthy I am comfortable. FC owner myself... no. Not going to happen any time soon. I am an irl relative of an older member here called Scoopy Doopy who long retired from Elite in 2017, I think. Some people here may know of him.

The first ship I properly loved was my DBX, which I went from the bubble to Colonia in. Took me four months! I also have an Alliance Chieftain, Asp Scout and Python. All my ships are named after female pop/rap singers: sometimes this is because I like just the name, others it can be because I like the singer. I don't have to be a massive fan of the singer to name a ship after her! This is actually quite ironic because my main genre is metal by a long way, but this just works for me.

Soooo I have been in Colonia since February but it's time to move on. My fleet is now in Jaques. I discovered the Mandalay recently, took it on a test run to the Colonia halo WHICH WAS TOTALLY AMAZING AND OMG WOW and now it's time for somewhere new further out.

I debated for a long time whether to take the DBX or the Mandalay, but I decided on the Mandy because 1] it's just more photogenic (controversial take) 2] it's faster, more powerful and more stable esp when landing and 3] it's SCO optimised.

I left yesterday for The Void. I do not engineer my ships [Reddit told me off for this more than 2,523,323 times], so I will be using neutron star boosts for a lot of the trip. I have only just learned how to charge my FSD from neutron stars but I'm pretty good at it. Just as well I took an AFMU though, apparently the FSD takes minor damage per charge? Only just found that out today.

Bullet points for ease of reading and stuff:

• Ship: Miley (Mandalay)
• Jump range: 38-41LY
• Starting point: Colonia system, departed Colonia Hub 14th May 2025
• Main route: Along neutron stars mostly, some standard systems for variety and scooping, possible FSD injections later if absolutely needed
• End point: 'LJ-B Serenis' - codenamed star within The Void
• Current position: Eorgh Prou LX-B d13-269
• Jumps: approx. 670 overall, 220 neutron, according to SPANSH
• Appox time needed: 3 months, could be more, could be less.
• This project is subject to route and waypoint changes at any time

Major waypoints:

1. DSSA Sea Of Silence [VFT-WVF] (Orion-Cygnus Arm), Cumbuia BL-P e5-44 - arrived 21st May 2025
2. HSRC Meow Force One [Q4N-8VK] #30.01.001 (Perseus Arm), Pha Flaae ZA-L d9-10 - arrived 30th May 2025
3. Will's Haven [Q9N-12F] #30.02.001 (Perseus Arm), Byeeque ST-A b4-4 - removed from route 1/6, could not confirm if carrier is still in place, next is:
4. DSSA Erikson's Gateway [V0Y-3QW] #27.03.001 (Outer Arm), Hypoe Bloae KZ-Z c16-6 - planned
5. DSSA Hope Dempsey [JLT-14Q] #42.01.001 (The Void), Hypuae Bra RX-L d7-2 - planned

I will update this thread with info and photos as and when, if anyone is at all interested! Any comments, advice, general criticism welcome

 

[marx]

No Guardian FSD booster either, using just a slightly-above-old-fashioned jump range? Good stuff. Have fun out there then, and good luck!

 

[LifesAJourney]

AFMU (or better AFMUs) is a must, each NS jump takes up to 1% of your FSD and it may start doing nasty tricks when its integrity is less than 80%. It actually killed me once when a malfunction dropped me to normal space inside a NS cone...

Also, if you want to find new things, stop using Spansh. No point in visiting already discovered systems. The NS scoop/jump/NS scoop/jump/NS scoop/jump/fuel scoop/jump routine without even making actual discoveries will kill your patience very quickly.

Have fun!

 

[DjVortex]

Also, if you want to find new things, stop using Spansh.

It also in a way doesn't make much sense to use Spansh with a 40 Ly ship. I mean in the sense that Spansh is useful when you want to get to very remote places as fast as possible, and a mere 40 Ly jump range pretty much defeats that purpose. It doubles the amount of jumps you need to make, which when we are talking about long distances is quite a lot.

I suppose that what I'm saying is that if you are using Spansh, you are doing so because you want to get to places fast, with as few jumps as possible, and thus you also want a very large jump range. With the Mandalay you can easily get 80 Ly without almost any compromises, which outright halves the amount of jumps you'll need. Rather than a trip taking 2 hours it will take just 1. (When using Spansh there really isn't any reason to make more jumps because as mentioned you won't be making any new discoveries.)

 

[Lysander666]

No Guardian FSD booster either, using just a slightly-above-old-fashioned jump range? Good stuff. Have fun out there then, and good luck!

That is by FAR the best response I've had to using a non-engineered ship. Thank you so much. I really am not into or up for the grind of engineering [I know some people enjoy it] - and anyway, since I'm out in Colonia without having done the groundwork, I would have to go back to the bubble to do that, which I'm not going to do! I know I could take a FC back there, but I prefer to do the explo old school in that sense [these days].

AFMU (or better AFMUs) is a must, each NS jump takes up to 1% of your FSD and it may start doing nasty tricks when its integrity is less than 80%. It actually killed me once when a malfunction dropped me to normal space inside a NS cone...

Also, if you want to find new things, stop using Spansh. No point in visiting already discovered systems. The NS scoop/jump/NS scoop/jump/NS scoop/jump/fuel scoop/jump routine without even making actual discoveries will kill your patience very quickly.

Have fun!

I found out about the FSD damage thing AFTER I left! I couldn't believe it because I just threw an AMFU on at the last minute, and when I read about the 1-2% damage per charge I was like "oh". Checked my FSD health 1.5k LY out from Colonia and yes, it was at 94%! Just as well.

I was kind of OK with plotting through SPANSH but it felt a bit like the expedition was turning into being more about the destination than the journey. I suppose I could ditch the SPANSH thing and plot with neutron stars that are GENERALLY in the direction of my destination?

Also I am not sure if I prefer neutron stars or standard star jumps. There are pluses and minuses to both. With standard jumps you get more variety in system types, and the whole thing takes a bit longer, but could be more fun. I think I may just mix up the two types of jumps.

It also in a way doesn't make much sense to use Spansh with a 40 Ly ship. I mean in the sense that Spansh is useful when you want to get to very remote places as fast as possible, and a mere 40 Ly jump range pretty much defeats that purpose. It doubles the amount of jumps you need to make, which when we are talking about long distances is quite a lot.

I suppose that what I'm saying is that if you are using Spansh, you are doing so because you want to get to places fast, with as few jumps as possible, and thus you also want a very large jump range. With the Mandalay you can easily get 80 Ly without almost any compromises, which outright halves the amount of jumps you'll need. Rather than a trip taking 2 hours it will take just 1. (When using Spansh there really isn't any reason to make more jumps because as mentioned you won't be making any new discoveries.)

I mean, I have discovered new systems along the way, but they have definitely been the exception rather than the rule. I do get a bit miffed when I jump into a NS system, even this far out, and it's been discovered.

As I said above, I may just use the standard in-game map for neutron stars and mix this up with standard star systems. I'm really glad this was brought up because yes, I do want this to be about the journey, not just getting there. Still, it's all a learning process for me still!

 

[marx]

That is by FAR the best response I've had to using a non-engineered ship. Thank you so much. I really am not into or up for the grind of engineering [I know some people enjoy it] - and anyway, since I'm out in Colonia without having done the groundwork, I would have to go back to the bubble to do that, which I'm not going to do!

Think about it this way: I know your jump range is the result of your conscious decision, and I know that it's enough to get you to your destination. Why would I want you to change your mind then? It's not hurting anyone, play the way you want to.
Besides, as I like to say to people who'd spend a lot on minmaxing their explorer ships, time spent on Engineering, collecting mats and the like, is time you could have spent on exploration instead. (Not a popular opinion, but hey.)
Oh, and speaking from personal experience, navigation is more fun when it's a thing you have to do. Which is no longer the case with 50+ ly ranges.

Actually, speaking of navigation... I should also caution you against neutron star plotters. After all, it'll have you follow a set route, through already-discovered systems (at the very least 220, likely plenty more), so that kills off having to navigate and blaze your own trail.

So sure, just like you said, you can eyeball the general direction of your destination and plot with neutron stars. Fly down (or up) roughly 1,000 ly from the galactic plane, while you still can that is. (You're going to run out of stars at that height as you get farther away from the core.) You should find plenty of neutrons there. Oh, and switch to realistic mode, and if you see any stars that stand out from the rest, especially the luminous ones, go swing by them! Giant stars, carbon stars and other "exotic" stuff should be interesting to visit, while you still can.
Of course, places that stand out on the galaxy map has a good chance of having been visited already, but if you avoid the obvious routes, you should find plenty of undiscovered stuff. Besides, it's not like Colonia - Void has seen a lot of traffic.

 

[Lysander666]

Think about it this way: I know your jump range is the result of your conscious decision, and I know that it's enough to get you to your destination. Why would I want you to change your mind then? It's not hurting anyone, play the way you want to.

THANK YOU

Besides, as I like to say to people who'd spend a lot on minmaxing their explorer ships, time spent on Engineering, collecting mats and the like, is time you could have spent on exploration instead. (Not a popular opinion, but hey.)

You know, I want to print this out and stick it on my wall. It's so logical to me: I can grind for hours and hours for something I really don't care about when I could be exploring instead. I started exploring when my DBX had less that 20LY per jump, and now my Mandalay is at ~40? That's luxury!

Reddit went off when I told them that I don't engineer. And the reason why I don't is exactly as you said.

Oh, and speaking from personal experience, navigation is more fun when it's a thing you have to do. Which is no longer the case with 50+ ly ranges.

Actually, speaking of navigation... I should also caution you against neutron star plotters. After all, it'll have you follow a set route, through already-discovered systems (at the very least 220, likely plenty more), so that kills off having to navigate and blaze your own trail.

Yeah, tonight when I get back I'm going to enter a new relationship with the star map. SPANSH was useful in giving me an idea of how to do what I wanted to do and how to use neutron stars, since I've never done it before. But now I think I will do things slightly differently.

Of course, places that stand out on the galaxy map has a good chance of having been visited already, but if you avoid the obvious routes, you should find plenty of undiscovered stuff. Besides, it's not like Colonia - Void has seen a lot of traffic.

I'm pleased I went to Colonia manually rather than on a FC. Makes it all seem more personal. Yeah, I'm looking forward to the bleakness of those outer parts of the galaxy.

The only thing I am wary about is the distances between stars getting too big the further out I go, but I am confident 38LY will be enough to get me to my destination. SPANSH said it was possible, so I'm sure with careful planning it will be, even if I don't follow SPANSH.

Now, from what I can gather, when I get really far out, the following could happen:

• Very few neutron stars
• Very few scoopables
• Entire stretches where only white dwarfs or T-class stars are found
• 30-50LY between any stars at all

So I'll need FSD injections, possible detours of hundreds of LYs and very good fuel planning. I'll start to gather materials somewhere in the Perseus Arm.

Something like this? These are working quantities though.

FSD Injection Materials​

Injection Grade	Jump Boost	Materials Needed	Amount
Basic	+25%	Iron (Fe), Phosphorus (P)	50x Fe, 50x P
Standard	+50%	Vanadium (V), Germanium (Ge)	30x V, 30x Ge
Premium	+100%	Arsenic (As), Polonium (Po)	25x As, 20x Po

AFMU Refill​

Synthesis Type	Materials Needed	Amount Amount
AFMU Ammo	Nickel (Ni), Zinc (Zn)	30x Ni, 20x Zn

 

[marx]

I started exploring when my DBX had less that 20LY per jump, and now my Mandalay is at ~40? That's luxury!

Before Engineering, the common high-end jump range was 35 ly, and the absolute maximum you could reach on a cardboard Anaconda was barely 40 ly. We reached most of the galaxy with these ranges. You'll be fine. (The worst case scenario is that you might have to stop just short of your final destination system, I don't know its exact jump range requirement.)

Now, from what I can gather, when I get really far out, the following could happen:

• Very few neutron stars
• Very few scoopables
• Entire stretches where only white dwarfs or T-class stars are found
• 30-50LY between any stars at all

So I'll need FSD injections, possible detours of hundreds of LYs and very good fuel planning. I'll start to gather materials somewhere in the Perseus Arm.

That's a mixed bag. First point is true, second and third aren't true at all, fourth depends on where you will be, but it'll certainly be true at the galactic edge. FSD injections are pretty much a given on the final stretch, yes.
EDAstro has several excellent maps where you can see the differences between the galactic arms, the inter-arm areas and the galactic edge. Although spoiler alert, I guess.

 

[DjVortex]

I mean, I have discovered new systems along the way, but they have definitely been the exception rather than the rule. I do get a bit miffed when I jump into a NS system, even this far out, and it's been discovered.

As I said above, I may just use the standard in-game map for neutron stars and mix this up with standard star systems. I'm really glad this was brought up because yes, I do want this to be about the journey, not just getting there. Still, it's all a learning process for me still!

It's not like a larger jump range will stop you from doing that...

 

[Lysander666]

Before Engineering, the common high-end jump range was 35 ly, and the absolute maximum you could reach on a cardboard Anaconda was barely 40 ly. We reached most of the galaxy with these ranges. You'll be fine. (The worst case scenario is that you might have to stop just short of your final destination system, I don't know its exact jump range requirement.)

I've checked out some routes of other commanders who got to the same star and... ugh... multiple jumps over 50 LY, some over 90, so FSD injections are a must, as you said. And you were right, yes, taking a look at the region in more detail so many of the stars are scoopable!

I've just learned about the DSSA FC arrangement, and there are 5-6 between here and my destination, now I just have to decide if I want to go that route or if I don't mind missing them. That said, it's good to know they're around in an emergency.

EDIT - just damaged my power plant doing an emergency stop so I may have to visit one! OK, It's only 98% but my OCD might kick in*

Why are some of them yellow

It's not like a larger jump range will stop you from doing that...

Indeed.

*I do actually have OCD so I'm not exaggerating ^^

 

[DjVortex]

EDIT - just damaged my power plant doing an emergency stop so I may have to visit one! OK, It's only 98% but my OCD might kick in*

Modules work just fine when their health is 80% or above.

 

[Lysander666]

Modules work just fine when their health is 80% or above.

Good to know, thank you, I'll try and calm down a bit then!

Some shots from the first few days of the trip!

Leaving Colonia Hub for the expedition. For the last time in... who knows?

First random stopover, somewhere within Eol Prou ZN-O c20-163

Neutron star testing [I got the hang of it, so far!]

My first ever planet with an atmosphere! Just gorgeous. Eorgh Prou OD-A d14-318 B 2 is the place.

Zorgon P publicity shot

Close to starset in another neutron system, planet Kyloalks VH-V d2-336 B 3

We are currently in Kyloalks LG-F b27-3, ~3.3k LY from Colonia, and which is apparently a green system. If I were more intelligent, I'd be picking up some materials here, but I'm sure there'll be plenty more opportunities along the way!

 

[Joe Cool]

Please reassure me that your dashboard is free of any animated bobbleheads - I made that mistake on my first trip out. Very amusing for the first few thousand light years. You can even try to convince yourself they're helping with your sanity - they are not. They develop voices and what they say is not always good!
My exploration dashboard is now solely reserved for pot plants of the Earth variety.
It's a taste of home, helps keep me grounded and they very, very rarely move or try to give me disturbing instructions!

Remember to enjoy the ride and the sights, that's your exploration highlights - not the getting there.

 

[Lysander666]

Please reassure me that your dashboard is free of any animated bobbleheads - I made that mistake on my first trip out. Very amusing for the first few thousand light years. You can even try to convince yourself they're helping with your sanity - they are not. They develop voices and what they say is not always good!
My exploration dashboard is now solely reserved for pot plants of the Earth variety.
It's a taste of home, helps keep me grounded and they very, very rarely move or try to give me disturbing instructions!

I can set your mind at ease! I do indeed have two bobbleheads but they are not animated! One of Venus and one of an Anaconda. I asked my brother which ones he would suggest from the planets and ships available, and he said the Ana, and Venus as the planet "because of the weirdness". They go everywhere with me on all ships. Not distracting at all, and I mostly tend to only notice them on jumps and landings:

Remember to enjoy the ride and the sights, that's your exploration highlights - not the getting there.

When I started this trip it was all about the neutron stars and getting as far as possible as quickly as possible. I've pretty much ditched the neutrons for the moment and am just enjoying the sites now. I've got all summer for this, anyway.

 

[Lysander666]

Some updates and further thoughts!

I did some research on the distance between stars leading to Erikson's Star - it boils down to the fact that many have big jumps between them - 50, 70, 90+ LY, necessitating FSD injections.

I found an AMAZING system with 61 bodies it in on my way, lush with opportunity for FSD mats! Aaaaand I discovered that I find looking for FSD materials really boring. Almost stressful. Not surprising but kind of route-altering.

So I made a very easy decision. The whole point of this trip was to get to The Void, not to Erikson's Star necessarily, so I moved the destination to a star closer to the border with Outer Arm - an undiscovered star which I codenamed "LJ-B Serenis" [OK, I imagine most of them are undiscovered but I still liked the name].

The last 24 hours has been something. I ended up in 2-3 planets which were DARK and quite unsettling on the edge of Inner Scutum-Centaurus. Ammonia-rich planets in early morning with dark red skies, freezing 22K ice moons with brown glossy ice surfaces.

It's really given me some time to think... why?

Why do I do this? Going on a journey this far out? And what do we learn about ourselves in the process? Is this about discovering the galaxy, or more about us as explorers? And if so, how much do we dare discover?

These are some of the questions I'll attempt to answer in the coming weeks and months. Right now I have just traversed into the Orion-Cygnus Arm and will take a break on this freezing neon-rich ice world.

In the meantime, some shots from the last 24 hours from the somewhat hellish environs around these parts!

Goodnight all, and have a very good Monday

 

[Lysander666]

We have arrived at major waypoint 1/5 - DSSA Sea of Silence.

This is a wonderful milestone - already we have seen barren ice worlds, boiling metal worlds, desolate dark ammonia worlds... and to come to somewhere safe and beautiful like this is so rewarding. Will stay here for a while.

 

[Lysander666]

Wow, already stage 2/5 of the expedition has come to an end! It's been absolutely breathtaking and exhilarating.

The highlight was undoubtedly system Hypao Flee JO-J b51-5 in the Orion-Cygnus Arm and finding the most beautiful ice planet I've ever come across. I didn't want to leave.

Every time I go on an expedition I am floored by how beautiful the galaxy is, and I see things I never expected. This time was no different.

Time to rest in DSSA Meow Force One for a few days... and listen to Miley Cyrus' new album, which was released today!

Have a good weekend, all