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Discovery Assistance

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alex edited this page May 6, 2026 · 12 revisions

Discovery Assistance

This guide describes the discovery and exploration features in Elite Intel (EI). The sections below cover undiscovered system detection, surface exploration, exobiology navigation, coordinate routing, and system-wide tracking.

Exploring the Unknown

When entering an undiscovered system:

  • Undiscovered Systems: Upon exiting hyperspace, EliteIntel checks whether the system has been previously discovered. If it is uncharted and discovery announcements are enabled, EliteIntel announces the discovery.
  • Toggle Announcements: Say "Discovery announcements ON" or "Discovery announcements OFF" to control automated exploration announcements.
  • FSS Scanning: Fly a safe distance from the parent star. Say "Open FSS and give us a good scan." Commands containing "FSS" and "Scan" activate the Filtered Spectrum Scanner. Use the FSS to locate planets, moons, and signals.
  • Post-Scan Analysis: After identifying all bodies in the system, EliteIntel analyzes the data. Ask "Which planets have bio signals?" or "Any geological sites?" EliteIntel summarizes the most significant worlds. For example, it may report a planet with seven bio species and another with six, enabling prioritization.

Surface Exploration

When a planet with bio signals is identified, EliteIntel provides surface exploration support:

  • Detailed Surface Scan: After a detailed surface scan, EliteIntel gathers data including gravity, temperature, and available genera.
  • Spotting and Scanning: Fly low over the surface. Locate biological specimens such as Fungoida or Frutexa, which may be found in terrain such as mountain ranges. Scan a specimen from the ship to create a Codex entry and potentially earn a credit reward. EliteIntel records the coordinates for that genus and variant.
  • SRV Navigation: Find a landing spot near the scan points. Enter the SRV and say "Navigate to the nearest bio sample." EliteIntel selects the nearest tagged sample and provides bearing and distance. It provides spoken directions to within close range of the sample.
  • Smart Codex Management: Scan a sample with the bio scanner. EliteIntel removes the corresponding Codex entry for that genus within the colony range. Tag colonies far apart to avoid clearing multiple entries with a single scan. EliteIntel reports the minimum distance to the next sample and estimates the Vista Genomics payout for a complete set of three.
  • Persistence Across Sessions: Progress is preserved between sessions. EliteIntel retains collected samples, remaining targets, and coordinates even after leaving the system. Exploration progress is saved until manually reset or the system's data collection is completed.

Returning to Finish the Job

If you have left a planet or the star system, progress is retained and can be resumed at any time.

  • Orbital Navigation: As you approach the planet, request navigation from EliteIntel. It guides you from orbit to the Glide Zone, approximately 300 to 400 km from the target coordinates. EliteIntel provides bearing and distance to the Glide Zone threshold, not the surface target. Instrument flight is required for approaches on the dark side of a planet.
  • Glide Assistance: Upon reaching the Glide Zone, EliteIntel prompts you to initiate glide and suggests a safe descent angle. The maximum safe angle is -35 degrees. If repositioning is needed for a safe glide angle, EliteIntel advises accordingly. After gliding, EliteIntel guides you to within 1 km of the target for landing.
  • Surface Navigation: In the SRV, EliteIntel guides you to within 25 meters of the target coordinates.

Navigating by Coordinates

To navigate to specific coordinates, say "Navigate to 23.456 latitude and -43.87 longitude." EliteIntel activates navigation from orbital cruise or from the surface.

System-Wide Insights

EliteIntel provides system-wide tracking and analysis:

  • Sample Tracking: Ask "What bio samples have we collected?" EliteIntel reports collected samples, remaining targets, and locations by planet. This data persists across system re-entries.
  • Profit Estimates: Ask "What is the potential profit from this system?" EliteIntel estimates earnings based on available scan data.
  • EDSM Integration: For discovered systems, EliteIntel queries EDSM for available data. If data is found, you can query EliteIntel about system details.
  • Route Analysis: EliteIntel can analyze a planned route, reporting the number of jumps remaining, scoopable stars, and actual travel distance versus straight-line distance.

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