It would be interesting if explorers can drop probes and over time these probes store Cartographic data as they explore surrounding systems. Give them a fixed range (bubble) they explore. After they have explored that bubble they need to be collected.
Example: I am on my way to Colonia, I drop and drop a probe in a nebula along the way. As I continue progressing towards Colonia the probe is scanning the bubble around it with a system Exploration timer. Then on my way back I retrieve the probe and acquire it's cartographical data. Then refuel the probe from my fuel tank, repair it with my AFMU, and drop it off in another system.
Module Probe Bay:
For example, a 2H might have 1 probe and a 4H might have 2. It would make Explora-condas very valuable because of the extra slots.
Another addition could be a comms array with a 50 Ly range. The idea is to allow you to communication to the probe in real time. Say you are exploring a large system and drop a comms array. Then you release 4 probes to explore the surrounding 50 Ly. While you are exploring a particular system probes are exploring the other systems and feeding you real time cart data. Then if something interesting is popping off at a probe you fully investigate it with your ship.
Thoughts?
Example: I am on my way to Colonia, I drop and drop a probe in a nebula along the way. As I continue progressing towards Colonia the probe is scanning the bubble around it with a system Exploration timer. Then on my way back I retrieve the probe and acquire it's cartographical data. Then refuel the probe from my fuel tank, repair it with my AFMU, and drop it off in another system.
Module Probe Bay:
For example, a 2H might have 1 probe and a 4H might have 2. It would make Explora-condas very valuable because of the extra slots.
Another addition could be a comms array with a 50 Ly range. The idea is to allow you to communication to the probe in real time. Say you are exploring a large system and drop a comms array. Then you release 4 probes to explore the surrounding 50 Ly. While you are exploring a particular system probes are exploring the other systems and feeding you real time cart data. Then if something interesting is popping off at a probe you fully investigate it with your ship.
Thoughts?