[Suggestion] [Exploration] Geological samples

[Binnila]

I just had an idea today, on how to make the exploration gameplay involve the player more. I figure exploration data has two levels right now. What you gather with the discovery scanner, and what you gather with the surface scanner.
I propose to add a new level, that would potentially pay out the highest prices from Universal Cartographers. Gathering geological samples from planets.

This would require you to land on the planet/moon, deploy the SRV and gather up the sample. Maybe it feels unnecessary to bring the SRV, why can't this be done from the ship? Because, I think, while you're there, in the SRV, maybe you fancy taking a drive, to look at the local vistas.

Planets with higher metal contents would be worth more. Also, later on, when we get the ability to land on planets with atmosphere, atmospheric samples, liquid samples, (is this a lake of liquid water, or pure, deadly chlorine?) and bio samples (from plants) could be added.

Yay or nay? Ideas to add to this?

 

[wavelover]

In addition of the suggestion stated above; maybe adding a feature of taking pictures of suitable locations for setting up colonies, military bases, mining facilities, and research centers. Both from orbit and on the surface with the srv. I am not sure if the scanning does this abstractly or not, but this would add another level of immersiveness to exploring. As stated above collecting samples would be needed for proof for interested parties. Deploying navigation beacons around or on planets or asteroids of interest, or at locations where samples were collected. This might make exploring more lucrative.

Perhaps due to reputation maybe factions might seek you out to search for suitable locations for secret bases for clandestine bases. pirates or smugglers might ask you to help find locations that could be hidden from law enforcement. Vice versa Law enforcement could ask for you to help find and provide proof of smuggling or piracy operations, on planets, asteroids and so on. This would have to be done covertly as this is not a combat mission, and would be extremely dangerous if detected. Also why not having a night vision for the darkside of planets.

 

[CMDR Hagglebeard]

Yay. Repped.

 

[Tahvohck]

I like the idea of both of those. Taking pictures of good sites sounds like an especially neat idea, especially since that's a lot of what people seem to do exploring as-is.

 

[Marc_Hicks]

Yep, great idea, and something I've suggested myself. My hope is that we will see something like this when we get more geologically active planets to land on . I also had a similar idea for finding the relics (& ruins) of long dead civilisations & fossils from ancient life-forms, on planets that had long since lost any trace atmosphere (as those are currently the only planets we can land on).