[Suggestion] Large Exploration Vessel

[Janichsan]

Currently, we have a large trading ship (the T-9) and a large combat/multipurpose vessel (the Anaconda). Now, how about a large ship that is geared to exploration?

It's defining feature would a very large FSD housing, larger than that of any other ship. So, maybe class 7 or even 8. That would allow it (when fully upgraded to an A7/8 drive) to make longer jumps than any other vessel. Other than that, it wouldn't be too suitable for anything else: only small and medium hardpoints, little cargo hold, just enough space to hold the necessary sensors and a large enough fuel scoop.

 

[Iskariot]

Currently, we have a large trading ship (the T-9) and a large combat/multipurpose vessel (the Anaconda). Now, how about a large ship that is geared to exploration?

It's defining feature would a very large FSD housing, larger than that of any other ship. So, maybe class 7 or even 8. That would allow it (when fully upgraded to an A7/8 drive) to make longer jumps than any other vessel. Other than that, it wouldn't be too suitable for anything else: only small and medium hardpoints, little cargo hold, just enough space to hold the necessary sensors and a large enough fuel scoop.

But the Anaconda's jump range is already huge. If it would be any larger you would be skipping more star systems than you would be exploring.

I hope FD will add jump boosters to increase jump ranges of ships. The FDL could use them too.

 

[Dwarden]

for starter what about some special AI ship classes for deep space exploration and research ? read more : https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=125769

 

[Janichsan]

But the Anaconda's jump range is already huge. If it would be any larger you would be skipping more star systems than you would be exploring.

The 'Condas 20 ly maximum jump distance isn't "huge". A fully upgraded Asp can jump 30 - that's 50% more. With jump ranges like that, you could reach unexplored space much faster. And, of course, also return much faster with your data.

 

[Iskariot]

The 'Condas 20 ly maximum jump distance isn't "huge". A fully upgraded Asp can jump 30 - that's 50% more. With jump ranges like that, you could reach unexplored space much faster. And, of course, also return much faster with your data.

20 ly? That is a surprise. I thought I had read you could get it to jump more than 30 ly.
You can tell I have not yet been in an Anaconda myself. If I had, I would have known this.

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for starter what about some special AI ship classes for deep space exploration and research ? read more : https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=125769

We definitely need all kinds of npc only ships for all kinds of functions to make the universe feel more alive.

 

[CMDR Hagglebeard]

20 ly? That is a surprise. I thought I had read you could get it to jump more than 30 ly.
You can tell I have not yet been in an Anaconda myself. If I had, I would have known this.

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We definitely need all kinds of npc only ships for all kinds of functions to make the universe feel more alive.

No no, The Anaconda can get up to 40Ly, Asp can get 38Ly.

 

[Iskariot]

No no, The Anaconda can get up to 40Ly, Asp can get 38Ly.

I have just been fooling around with the Elite Shipyard tool. 40 ly seems impossible to me.
I could get to 25 ly, but the ship would be an accident waiting to happen and totally useless except for jumping.

 

[OldSchoolPlayer]

Currently, we have a large trading ship (the T-9) and a large combat/multipurpose vessel (the Anaconda). Now, how about a large ship that is geared to exploration?

It's defining feature would a very large FSD housing, larger than that of any other ship. So, maybe class 7 or even 8. That would allow it (when fully upgraded to an A7/8 drive) to make longer jumps than any other vessel. Other than that, it wouldn't be too suitable for anything else: only small and medium hardpoints, little cargo hold, just enough space to hold the necessary sensors and a large enough fuel scoop.

Have you tried flying the Orca? I can lend you mine if you like as long as you bring it back in one piece.

 

[z993126]

I have just been fooling around with the Elite Shipyard tool. 40 ly seems impossible to me.
I could get to 25 ly, but the ship would be an accident waiting to happen and totally useless except for jumping.

http://edshipyard.com/#/L=606,,2-3c8S9Y8S2CD85A,mpZ0M24-O2Uc2jw

Just threw together this. Bare-bones, basically can't go into any system it can't scoop from, but it can scan and repair (as long as you shut down thrusters to do repairs).

41.17 LY max range.

 

[Zephyriel]

I was thinking the exact same thing as OP yesterday. With all the remaining ships, I'm sure there will be at least one specialized explorer (huge FSD, few hardpoints...), I'm indeed hoping for a massive ship. This would be awesome when crews and planetary landings are implemented, you could go on a journey across the galaxy with your crew and land on distant worlds.

 

[markuslig]

i would like to see jump range scrapped completely. the jump range is the distance you have fuel for. just takes a lot longer time to make a long distance jump of of a few hundred LY or however far you could jump without scooping fuel. MO

 

[Iskariot]

http://edshipyard.com/#/L=606,,2-3c8S9Y8S2CD85A,mpZ0M24-O2Uc2jw

Just threw together this. Bare-bones, basically can't go into any system it can't scoop from, but it can scan and repair (as long as you shut down thrusters to do repairs).

41.17 LY max range.

That is indeed bare-bones. Would you take such an expensive ship out in the wild like that? I do not think I would dare to do so.

 

[Midgardsormr]

Why not? If you're exploring, there's no kit available that will really help. Maybe a heat sink launcher in case you collide with a hot star and a second AFMU to repair the first one. I always strip my explorers down that far. You've just got to be a bit more careful near populated space so you don't get interdicted.

It would be nice to see a ship with that kind of range for maybe 20 - 50 million, though. An Anaconda is super overkill for exploring.