So, you're looking to make a quick buck, huh? Well you're in the wrong place, Exploration is quite a slow way to do that.
But no matter! Let's assume that you have chosen to sink countless hours in pursuit of fame and glory in the nothingness of the galaxy. Unfortunately, the codex is all but filled up at this point, so sorry about that.
"But alas," you say, "it is but impossible to suppress my capitalist tendencies, even in the blackness of space!" Well fear not, my good friend, for I have the guide for you! It is indeed possible to earn a meager profit from something shiny, new, and recently unveiled: The Detailed Surface Scanner!
If you're constantly frustrated with missing that sweet efficiency bonus, lobbing your probes in all the wrong places, and failing miserably at satisfying your inner capitalist, then you've come to the right place. So, without further ado, let's get started.
Step 1: Figure Out These Newfangled Controls
Step 2: Positioning and Efficiency Bonuses
4 Probes
5 Probes
6 Probes
7 Probes
8 Probes
9 Probes
If you're here, that means you either a) read through the entire guide and know how to map a terrestrial planet effectively, b) didn't read through the guide and skipped to the end, or c) already know how to map a planet with the DSS and simply humored me. Except for those who fall into b), congratulations! Your techniques of space capitalism should now be honed further, and you can thank this guide for that! Or not, I suppose, if you already knew how to do it...
Either way, thanks for taking a read, and I hope you enjoy bloating your bank account!
It took me several hours to put this together, so please let me know what you think, good or bad! Suggestions, comments, and most of all, compliments, are very welcome.
But no matter! Let's assume that you have chosen to sink countless hours in pursuit of fame and glory in the nothingness of the galaxy. Unfortunately, the codex is all but filled up at this point, so sorry about that.
"But alas," you say, "it is but impossible to suppress my capitalist tendencies, even in the blackness of space!" Well fear not, my good friend, for I have the guide for you! It is indeed possible to earn a meager profit from something shiny, new, and recently unveiled: The Detailed Surface Scanner!
If you're constantly frustrated with missing that sweet efficiency bonus, lobbing your probes in all the wrong places, and failing miserably at satisfying your inner capitalist, then you've come to the right place. So, without further ado, let's get started.
Step 1: Figure Out These Newfangled Controls
Ah, have those young hooligans over at Frontier Developments hijacked your control scheme and produced something quite unplayable? Well, good thing you've begun with Step 1! From the Main Menu, you're going to want to navigate to Options, then Controls, then scroll all the way down. You'll see a menu called "Detailed Surface Scanner." If you don't see it, try adjusting your bifocals. If you still don't see it, you're in the wrong place, my good sir/madam.
For those that have made it this far, press the small "+" to expand the DSS menu. Then, customize your controls to your liking. If I were you, I'd prefer my settings in the following layout, most specially the ones in the red rectangle:
Once you're satisfied, launch the game.
Now, in the game, navigate over to your right panel, and assign the DSS a fire group, like so:
For those that have made it this far, press the small "+" to expand the DSS menu. Then, customize your controls to your liking. If I were you, I'd prefer my settings in the following layout, most specially the ones in the red rectangle:
Once you're satisfied, launch the game.
Now, in the game, navigate over to your right panel, and assign the DSS a fire group, like so:
Step 2: Positioning and Efficiency Bonuses
Excellent, you've made it this far. Not many people do. I've lost many-a weary traveler in the infinite maze of Elite's menus.
But no matter, congratulations to you.
Now, let's assume for the moment that you've managed to find a planet you'd like to map. The first goal of yours will be to fly there. Once you get there, your distance from the planet is of utmost importance -- too far, and you'll have trouble seeing what's going on through your blurry bifocals, but too close and you'll find yourself unable to hit the backside of the planet.
So, this is my personal, ideal positioning. I'd recommend being close enough for the planet to take up a decent portion of your screen, like so:
(Ignore the black bars...I'd also like to make profit, yes?)
Now that you're in position, activate the DSS using the fire group you assigned earlier. If the game moans and groans, complaining that "The Module Can't Be Used in this Cockpit Mode," simply switch over to analysis mode, with the default key of [M].
Excellent, now that the DSS is open, direct your attention to two important numbers. The first one is in the bottom left, the Percent Mapped.
Now, this number is a lie. You see, all you and I need to do is get this number up to 90%, then the game fiddles with the books and adjusts us to 100%! Isn't that excellent? Pay close attention to it while you're firing probes.
The second number is in the middle right of the screen. It's the efficiency target for the planet in question.
Now, this number, and only this number, will determine how we map the planet. All planets with identical efficiency targets can be mapped in effectively the same way, so there's no need to concern yourself with the type of planet. Focus on the capitalism! Now, observe this number carefully, and proceed through this guide to that number. It is recommended that you read every section of the guide, but if you're in a hurry for that sweet, sweet digital currency, then I suppose you can skip ahead.
But no matter, congratulations to you.
Now, let's assume for the moment that you've managed to find a planet you'd like to map. The first goal of yours will be to fly there. Once you get there, your distance from the planet is of utmost importance -- too far, and you'll have trouble seeing what's going on through your blurry bifocals, but too close and you'll find yourself unable to hit the backside of the planet.
So, this is my personal, ideal positioning. I'd recommend being close enough for the planet to take up a decent portion of your screen, like so:
(Ignore the black bars...I'd also like to make profit, yes?)
Now that you're in position, activate the DSS using the fire group you assigned earlier. If the game moans and groans, complaining that "The Module Can't Be Used in this Cockpit Mode," simply switch over to analysis mode, with the default key of [M].
Excellent, now that the DSS is open, direct your attention to two important numbers. The first one is in the bottom left, the Percent Mapped.
Now, this number is a lie. You see, all you and I need to do is get this number up to 90%, then the game fiddles with the books and adjusts us to 100%! Isn't that excellent? Pay close attention to it while you're firing probes.
The second number is in the middle right of the screen. It's the efficiency target for the planet in question.
Now, this number, and only this number, will determine how we map the planet. All planets with identical efficiency targets can be mapped in effectively the same way, so there's no need to concern yourself with the type of planet. Focus on the capitalism! Now, observe this number carefully, and proceed through this guide to that number. It is recommended that you read every section of the guide, but if you're in a hurry for that sweet, sweet digital currency, then I suppose you can skip ahead.
4 Probes
Interesting, you're mapping a tiny little planet (or moon)! Well, lucky for you, this is the easiest one! Let's get cracking.
The first probe you'll fire is directly at the center of the planet, like so:
Excellent! After waiting approximately one millennium for the little to hit, you can see the results of your handiwork...a majority of the planet's front face should be mapped, and your percentage mapped should be above 30%.
Now, we can begin planning our next shot. We're going to hit the backside next, so prepare yourself for the lob of a lifetime.
The first thing to do is find the edge -- right before the DSS says you'll "Miss." Going a little too far produces the "Miss," so it's a decent way to check that you're in the right place. We can never be too sure with you and your bifocals!
Now that you've found the edge, work your way slightly inward. You want the three dashed lines to be approximately aligned with the partial circles around the central circle of your DSS. Don't understand what I just said? Well, don't fret, this isn't Geometry class! Simply refer to the image below.
And, fire!
After this probe takes even longer than the first, you'll be greeted with a higher percentage mapped, which should look something like this (on the backside of the planet):
That's right, 50% of our probes used and we're just 18% away from 90%!
Attaining that last 18% should be an easy task. Simply align the edge of the innermost circle of your DSS with the three dots on any side of the planet, like so:
(My own rather embarrassing failure to align perfectly should signify how little perfect accuracy matters in this.)
Firing that probe should get us tantalizingly close to our goal. Now, simply repeat the process, firing another probe with the three dots lined up with the edge of the innermost circle, on the opposite side of the planet, like this:
Once that one hits, voila! The game cheats for you!
The first probe you'll fire is directly at the center of the planet, like so:
Excellent! After waiting approximately one millennium for the little to hit, you can see the results of your handiwork...a majority of the planet's front face should be mapped, and your percentage mapped should be above 30%.
Now, we can begin planning our next shot. We're going to hit the backside next, so prepare yourself for the lob of a lifetime.
The first thing to do is find the edge -- right before the DSS says you'll "Miss." Going a little too far produces the "Miss," so it's a decent way to check that you're in the right place. We can never be too sure with you and your bifocals!
Now that you've found the edge, work your way slightly inward. You want the three dashed lines to be approximately aligned with the partial circles around the central circle of your DSS. Don't understand what I just said? Well, don't fret, this isn't Geometry class! Simply refer to the image below.
And, fire!
After this probe takes even longer than the first, you'll be greeted with a higher percentage mapped, which should look something like this (on the backside of the planet):
That's right, 50% of our probes used and we're just 18% away from 90%!
Attaining that last 18% should be an easy task. Simply align the edge of the innermost circle of your DSS with the three dots on any side of the planet, like so:
(My own rather embarrassing failure to align perfectly should signify how little perfect accuracy matters in this.)
Firing that probe should get us tantalizingly close to our goal. Now, simply repeat the process, firing another probe with the three dots lined up with the edge of the innermost circle, on the opposite side of the planet, like this:
Once that one hits, voila! The game cheats for you!
5 Probes
This section's under construction! Not to worry, it'll be ready soon. Now, quit peeking, and move along! The other sections are all done!
6 Probes
Alright, six! Seis! Zes! Seks! Sechs!
Yes, I'm cultured, you see! Anyway, enough dallying, let's begin.
You might actually be able to guess where we'll shoot first. That's right (or wrong, I've no idea what you guessed) -- directly at the center of the planet, like so.
Shoot away that little probe! When it hits, you'll find that we've covered decidedly little of the planet. But not to fret, that's why we have more probes!
Now, from our perspective, we're going to hit the cardinal directions: left, right, up, and down! Or maybe they were west, east, north, and south. I never can remember...
No matter, line up the first shot such that the three dots are approximately tangent to the innermost concentric circle of your DSS. Once again, apologies for the hardcore geometry, but this picture ought to clarify:
Once you've lined up that shot, fire. You must then rinse and repeat, rotating yourself approximately 90 degrees with each successive shot. Remember, the goal here is to fire one probe at each cardinal direction.
Now, once you've completed that and all four probes have hit, you'll be almost all the way home...ideally within 10%. Do not fret about the missing triangles of area -- the game lets us cheat, remember? So, 90% is the goal.
Don't get cocky, though, the hardest shot is still coming up, and who knows if you'll be able to make it while you're fumbling around with the new control scheme! Now, then, on to hit the rear of the planet, which should appear emptier than your bedroom in the nighttime.
So, your first step ought to be to find the edge of your firing range, right before the DSS proclaims that you shall miss the planet. When you've gone too far, you'll see this:
Now, from the edge, work your way back, ever so slightly, towards the three white dots. Going back approximately 1/6 to 1/3 of the way should suffice. Remember, this doesn't have to be an exact science -- all we're looking for is 90%, so there's plenty of room for error. Something like this should get us there easily:
Once you've calmed down from the excitement that is undoubtedly overwhelming your...ahem...waste system, feel free to fire the probe. Once it hits, we'll be greeted with the glory of fudging the numbers up to 100%!
Yes, I'm cultured, you see! Anyway, enough dallying, let's begin.
You might actually be able to guess where we'll shoot first. That's right (or wrong, I've no idea what you guessed) -- directly at the center of the planet, like so.
Shoot away that little probe! When it hits, you'll find that we've covered decidedly little of the planet. But not to fret, that's why we have more probes!
Now, from our perspective, we're going to hit the cardinal directions: left, right, up, and down! Or maybe they were west, east, north, and south. I never can remember...
No matter, line up the first shot such that the three dots are approximately tangent to the innermost concentric circle of your DSS. Once again, apologies for the hardcore geometry, but this picture ought to clarify:
Once you've lined up that shot, fire. You must then rinse and repeat, rotating yourself approximately 90 degrees with each successive shot. Remember, the goal here is to fire one probe at each cardinal direction.
Now, once you've completed that and all four probes have hit, you'll be almost all the way home...ideally within 10%. Do not fret about the missing triangles of area -- the game lets us cheat, remember? So, 90% is the goal.
Don't get cocky, though, the hardest shot is still coming up, and who knows if you'll be able to make it while you're fumbling around with the new control scheme! Now, then, on to hit the rear of the planet, which should appear emptier than your bedroom in the nighttime.
So, your first step ought to be to find the edge of your firing range, right before the DSS proclaims that you shall miss the planet. When you've gone too far, you'll see this:
Now, from the edge, work your way back, ever so slightly, towards the three white dots. Going back approximately 1/6 to 1/3 of the way should suffice. Remember, this doesn't have to be an exact science -- all we're looking for is 90%, so there's plenty of room for error. Something like this should get us there easily:
Once you've calmed down from the excitement that is undoubtedly overwhelming your...ahem...waste system, feel free to fire the probe. Once it hits, we'll be greeted with the glory of fudging the numbers up to 100%!
7 Probes
Just seven days in a week, and you're spending some of that time reading this guide? Think about all the other things you could be doing...aren't all of them less productive than this? Deep down, you know this guide is the best use of time. Anyway, just like the seven days in the week, these planets need seven probes! I suppose you could take an entire week to map one of these if you fired one probe per day...
Anyway, let's commence! Your first shot will be, predictably, at the center of the planet, like so.
Unfortunately, only a pitiful percentage of the planet should be mapped at this point. It's a good thing these probes are free, or I'd request a refund at this point!
Now, much as we did with six probes, it will be your next task to send a probe flying in every cardinal direction. Simply pick a direction, line up the three white dots with the innermost concentric circle of the DSS, and fire. Then, rotate 90 degrees and repeat. Continue this process until you've fired four additional probes. Your aiming should look something like this:
Firing a probe at each one of those four locations should yield a very long wait time. In fact, why don't you go enjoy a symphony or stage performance -- it'll take several decades for these probes to hit. Not to worry though, I'll man the fort!
Anyway, once they finally do hit, you'll find a decent percentage of the planet covered.
Yes, I also hate the triangle. No, it does not matter. No, your OCD is not enough justification to shoot another probe just to fill it in. Perfection is not the goal, 90% is the goal. Now, though, we must hit the backside of the planet -- spank it, if you will.
As we've done in the past, you must pick a direction and find the edge...the area right before where the DSS will inform you that you will "Miss" the planet. If you've gone too far, you'll be greeted with the familiar:
Now, you'll want to work your way back. The full circle of the DSS should be a little bit further out than the three dotted lines...I've added red in the bottom picture to detail where you ought to be to fire. An exact picture of where I fired will come later, but this should help you get a feel for where to put your DSS without being given an exact answer.
Now, once you're in that position, fire. That should cover a decent portion of the rear, and you should be irritatingly close to the magic number.
Now, rotate your DSS approximately 180 degrees to the opposite side of the planet, and repeat the process above. Find the edge, and work your way in. this time, I've provided an exact picture of where I fired the probe, in case you couldn't see the arrows in the last one through your blurry bifocals.
Once that one hits, congratulations! You will be the beneficiary of the game falsifying the percent mapped!
Anyway, let's commence! Your first shot will be, predictably, at the center of the planet, like so.
Unfortunately, only a pitiful percentage of the planet should be mapped at this point. It's a good thing these probes are free, or I'd request a refund at this point!
Now, much as we did with six probes, it will be your next task to send a probe flying in every cardinal direction. Simply pick a direction, line up the three white dots with the innermost concentric circle of the DSS, and fire. Then, rotate 90 degrees and repeat. Continue this process until you've fired four additional probes. Your aiming should look something like this:
Firing a probe at each one of those four locations should yield a very long wait time. In fact, why don't you go enjoy a symphony or stage performance -- it'll take several decades for these probes to hit. Not to worry though, I'll man the fort!
Anyway, once they finally do hit, you'll find a decent percentage of the planet covered.
Yes, I also hate the triangle. No, it does not matter. No, your OCD is not enough justification to shoot another probe just to fill it in. Perfection is not the goal, 90% is the goal. Now, though, we must hit the backside of the planet -- spank it, if you will.
As we've done in the past, you must pick a direction and find the edge...the area right before where the DSS will inform you that you will "Miss" the planet. If you've gone too far, you'll be greeted with the familiar:
Now, you'll want to work your way back. The full circle of the DSS should be a little bit further out than the three dotted lines...I've added red in the bottom picture to detail where you ought to be to fire. An exact picture of where I fired will come later, but this should help you get a feel for where to put your DSS without being given an exact answer.
Now, once you're in that position, fire. That should cover a decent portion of the rear, and you should be irritatingly close to the magic number.
Now, rotate your DSS approximately 180 degrees to the opposite side of the planet, and repeat the process above. Find the edge, and work your way in. this time, I've provided an exact picture of where I fired the probe, in case you couldn't see the arrows in the last one through your blurry bifocals.
Once that one hits, congratulations! You will be the beneficiary of the game falsifying the percent mapped!
8 Probes
This is going to be a good one, prepare yourself for the best that symmetry has to offer!
We're starting off in familiar territory. Fire a shot straight at the center, like before.
Once it hits, you'll find an even smaller percentage of the planet mapped than before. That's the bad news, but the good news is that we have more probes, so not to worry!
Now, we'll move on to hitting the four cardinal directions. Pick a direction, line up the three white dots with the exact center (note this, it's different from before) of your DSS, and fire. Then, rotate 90 degrees and repeat until you've hit all four, like so:
Once all four finally make it -- which will take a while, so get the afternoon tea boiling -- you'll be greeted by a beautifully symmetric missing triangle pattern that you can ignore, because we're not aiming for perfection. Just 90%.
But now, we must hit the rear of the planet. This step requires more mental capacity than before, so pay attention.
See those regions outlined by the red circles? They're quite hard to miss (unless, of course, you've lost your bifocals). You must aim a probe in one of those directions; it doesn't matter which, but you cannot select one of the cardinal directions you used earlier.
Once you've picked your favorite secondary direction, find the edge, as we've done before. When you've gone too far, the game will mock you:
Then, work your way back in, about 1/6 to 1/3 of the way. I'm not providing a picture this time, because you should know how to do this. If you've somehow forgotten already, refer back to the "7 Probes" section where I outline exactly how this is done. Anyway, if you've done it properly, the backside of the planet should look something like this:
Now, repeat the exact same process on the opposite secondary direction. Just turn your DSS 180 degrees around the planet and do the same thing you've already done. Find the edge:
Work your way in, and fire.
She should be all mapped after this, and if she's not, then you did something wrong. It's all your fault.
We're starting off in familiar territory. Fire a shot straight at the center, like before.
Once it hits, you'll find an even smaller percentage of the planet mapped than before. That's the bad news, but the good news is that we have more probes, so not to worry!
Now, we'll move on to hitting the four cardinal directions. Pick a direction, line up the three white dots with the exact center (note this, it's different from before) of your DSS, and fire. Then, rotate 90 degrees and repeat until you've hit all four, like so:
Once all four finally make it -- which will take a while, so get the afternoon tea boiling -- you'll be greeted by a beautifully symmetric missing triangle pattern that you can ignore, because we're not aiming for perfection. Just 90%.
But now, we must hit the rear of the planet. This step requires more mental capacity than before, so pay attention.
See those regions outlined by the red circles? They're quite hard to miss (unless, of course, you've lost your bifocals). You must aim a probe in one of those directions; it doesn't matter which, but you cannot select one of the cardinal directions you used earlier.
Once you've picked your favorite secondary direction, find the edge, as we've done before. When you've gone too far, the game will mock you:
Then, work your way back in, about 1/6 to 1/3 of the way. I'm not providing a picture this time, because you should know how to do this. If you've somehow forgotten already, refer back to the "7 Probes" section where I outline exactly how this is done. Anyway, if you've done it properly, the backside of the planet should look something like this:
Now, repeat the exact same process on the opposite secondary direction. Just turn your DSS 180 degrees around the planet and do the same thing you've already done. Find the edge:
Work your way in, and fire.
She should be all mapped after this, and if she's not, then you did something wrong. It's all your fault.
9 Probes
Last, but not least, we've got what the youth generation would refer to as the "Big Chungus" of terrestrial planets.
Apologies for that.
No matter, we've got to start if we want to map it! Beginning should be all-too-familiar, just fire a probe at the center.
That should yield a pitiful percentage mapped, but that's no issue. Nine probes are plenty! So, as we've done before, fire a probe at each cardinal direction. Make sure you line the three white dots up such that they are tangent to the innermost circle of the DSS. Remember to rotate 90 degrees around the planet between shots.
Excellent! When the probes strike the planet, you'll want your money back for this guide! Not that you paid for it...
It will look like I've led you astray and that you've missed too much of the planet. But don't worry at all -- hitting 90% is easier than it looks, and we have not missed more than 10%. The back of the planet will look like this, paving the perfect road for us to use an additional four probes and complete the mapping.
Notice the red circles, like before? You must fire four probes in each of those directions to complete the mapping. Any other directions will lead to failure and misery.
By now, you ought to know how to find the edge. If you don't, refer back to earlier sections of the guide (and adjust your bifocals, so you don't miss words that you read!).
This one image should suffice as to demonstrate how far back to bring your DSS. The three white dots ought to be approximately tangent to the outermost partial circle of the DSS for all four of these probes.
If the first two hit and look like a pair of fine buttocks...ahem...I mean overlapping cirlces, you're on the right track.
The third should create an even finer pair. Of circles, I mean. Although...I suppose it's a triplet of circles.
With the last:
Apologies for that.
No matter, we've got to start if we want to map it! Beginning should be all-too-familiar, just fire a probe at the center.
That should yield a pitiful percentage mapped, but that's no issue. Nine probes are plenty! So, as we've done before, fire a probe at each cardinal direction. Make sure you line the three white dots up such that they are tangent to the innermost circle of the DSS. Remember to rotate 90 degrees around the planet between shots.
Excellent! When the probes strike the planet, you'll want your money back for this guide! Not that you paid for it...
It will look like I've led you astray and that you've missed too much of the planet. But don't worry at all -- hitting 90% is easier than it looks, and we have not missed more than 10%. The back of the planet will look like this, paving the perfect road for us to use an additional four probes and complete the mapping.
Notice the red circles, like before? You must fire four probes in each of those directions to complete the mapping. Any other directions will lead to failure and misery.
By now, you ought to know how to find the edge. If you don't, refer back to earlier sections of the guide (and adjust your bifocals, so you don't miss words that you read!).
This one image should suffice as to demonstrate how far back to bring your DSS. The three white dots ought to be approximately tangent to the outermost partial circle of the DSS for all four of these probes.
If the first two hit and look like a pair of fine buttocks...ahem...I mean overlapping cirlces, you're on the right track.
The third should create an even finer pair. Of circles, I mean. Although...I suppose it's a triplet of circles.
With the last:
If you're here, that means you either a) read through the entire guide and know how to map a terrestrial planet effectively, b) didn't read through the guide and skipped to the end, or c) already know how to map a planet with the DSS and simply humored me. Except for those who fall into b), congratulations! Your techniques of space capitalism should now be honed further, and you can thank this guide for that! Or not, I suppose, if you already knew how to do it...
Either way, thanks for taking a read, and I hope you enjoy bloating your bank account!
It took me several hours to put this together, so please let me know what you think, good or bad! Suggestions, comments, and most of all, compliments, are very welcome.
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