This would be a detailed surface mapping - where the rich seams of metal / ore are, if it is a water-world, a full hydrographic survey, earth-like and rocky worlds would get a full height map, with river courses etc. The payout would be dependent on the type and size of world and of course would be higher (maybe much higher) than at present.
The PSMM would be a utility mounted module - with ammo. Maybe with 8, 16, 24, 32 (so you can have four grades of equipment) scanner units. The idea being that you would drop out of supercruise next to a planet. Activate the PSMM to drop off one of the scanners within 25 Mm of the planet surface and at a speed no more than 5 m/s. The PSMM would then get to work. A scan would take about 30-60mins, depending on size of planet, so it is unlikely that you want to wait next to that planet as a detailed mapping takes place. Once the time has elapsed you can come back - cargo scoop up the scanner (you need a cargo slot free - 1 ton of cargo space can carry 4 scanner units) take it back to civilisation (20ly away as usual) and sell it. It might even be classed as a Level 2 or Level 3 scan!
Of course this would let unscrupulous types scoop up other commander's scanner units. These would of course be marked as stolen - and maybe would be more difficult to sell because of that.
The game-play would improve for explorers - they have to look at the details of the planet to decide whether it would be better to use their PSMM here or wait until they get to another planet (or system). The ammo aspect (and the time taken) means that they will not become obscenely rich by just heading out into uncharted space and doing it to every planet. There would be a level of flying involved to drop off and pick up the scanner unit. It would also provide another avenue of play for criminal types (the stealing of placed scanner units). Or course it may need to have the detailed procedural generation of planet surfaces in place (so the data would tie up with planetary landing etc)
The PSMM would be a utility mounted module - with ammo. Maybe with 8, 16, 24, 32 (so you can have four grades of equipment) scanner units. The idea being that you would drop out of supercruise next to a planet. Activate the PSMM to drop off one of the scanners within 25 Mm of the planet surface and at a speed no more than 5 m/s. The PSMM would then get to work. A scan would take about 30-60mins, depending on size of planet, so it is unlikely that you want to wait next to that planet as a detailed mapping takes place. Once the time has elapsed you can come back - cargo scoop up the scanner (you need a cargo slot free - 1 ton of cargo space can carry 4 scanner units) take it back to civilisation (20ly away as usual) and sell it. It might even be classed as a Level 2 or Level 3 scan!
Of course this would let unscrupulous types scoop up other commander's scanner units. These would of course be marked as stolen - and maybe would be more difficult to sell because of that.
The game-play would improve for explorers - they have to look at the details of the planet to decide whether it would be better to use their PSMM here or wait until they get to another planet (or system). The ammo aspect (and the time taken) means that they will not become obscenely rich by just heading out into uncharted space and doing it to every planet. There would be a level of flying involved to drop off and pick up the scanner unit. It would also provide another avenue of play for criminal types (the stealing of placed scanner units). Or course it may need to have the detailed procedural generation of planet surfaces in place (so the data would tie up with planetary landing etc)