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When accepting missions in Elite Dangerous, you will sometimes find Planetary and Economic scan missions. While at first it can seem simple, for some players it’s a little more difficult to get things started. This guide is to help new and returning players complete this high value missions.
Other Elite Dangerous Guides:
- Elite Dangerous – Material Farming in 3.3
- Elite Dangerous – High Grade Emission 3.3
- Elite Dangerous – Fast and Easy Obelisk Data
- Elite Dangerous – A Visual Guide for Deep Core Mining
The Requirements
When getting started with the missions, there is a list of basic equipment that you’ll need to use on BOTH MISSIONS. Don’t worry as these are very easy to come by if you are within the bubble (populated area). Here is what you want to pick up.
- SRV (Planetary Vehicle Hangar)
- Detailed Surface Scanner
SRV
After purchasing the vehicle hanger under optional internal module, you will need to purchase at least one SRV. Unless you really want it, I do not recommend using more than one. The smallest planetary vehicle hangar is a class 2 (2 dots)
Detailed Surface Scanner
The detailed surface scanner is a newer feature that comes in great use for explorers and is a must have for these missions. Now while optional for the economy data scan, it’s a requirement for the planetary scan. It’s a very easy module to operate and will be used in hyperspeed once you get close to the planet you want to scan. They are very cheap and they fit in class 1 (1 dot) slots.
As I mentioned earlier they are very easy to come by and are relatively cheap. Depending on where the mission takes place, a fuel scoop may come in handy to make sure you are always filled up with fuel.
Optional
A lot of Guns
Shield Cells
Optional Items
All of these optional components will help with your defend yourself. Whenever you scan any of the data points, you will most likely incur a bounty. In a scenario where your ship gets targeted, you will need guns to shoot at enemies and shield cells to have a decent chance of survival.
Planetary Scan
A planetary scan has some extra steps, but is one of the most satisfying mission in my honest opinion. Here are the steps to completing a Planetary Scan mission.
After jumping to the system as told by the mission, find and travel to the Nav Beacon. They will be located near one of the stars and get you of hyperspeed so you can interact with it.
Once you have jumped out of hyperspeed go into contacts and select the Nav Beacon. You will need to find the physical beacon and it should automatically start scanning it. After the scan is complete, you will get sent a message showing the planet you need to scan. Jump to the new planet.
Once you get close enough to the planet, slow down as much as you can and use the Detailed Surface Scanner. You will be firing small beacons that scan a large area of the planet. You need to scan 100% of the surface which will require multiple beacons. Going further out with the scanner you will notice a symbol similar to this: ._. This will hit the visable edge of the planet. Going further than that you will be shooting behind the planet.
Once you have scanned 100% of the planet you will be notified of signs of life on the planet. You will need to find a sign of life on the planet. Either go to an encampment (NOT A STATION) or you will have to discover an encampment. If you have to discover it, you should be able to see targetable beacons when looking at the planet normally. After you know where you are going, fly down.
Touch down as close as you can to the encampment as to not be trespassing on their private property. Afterwards disembark on your SRV.
Once you are in the SRV, proceed towards a data point on the base. Most bases have turrets and some even have ships defending them, so be careful. You will know which data point you will need to scan due to the fact that they read Mission Objective in the bottom right of your HUD.
Go into turret mode in the SRV and point it up towards the data point, and with you Data Scanner, on Analysis mode, scan the data point until you hear the ding, or it reads data scanned. You will need to book it back towards your ship as you probably have collected a fine and a bounty.
To dock the SRV, go underneath your ship to where the lights are moving downwards and you should be able to dock by selecting “Board Ship” in the personel menu. It can be finicky sometimes, so keep trying.
CONGRATS! You just completed a Planetary Scan Mission.
Economic Data Scan
The Economic Data Scan is very similar, and very easy in comparison to the planetary scan. Here are the steps to completing a economic data scan mission.
After jumping to the system as told by the mission, you will receive a message containing the planet and name of the encampment. In a rare scenario where you do not have access to the surface map of said planet perform a surface scan using the detailed surface scanner. Steps for how to use it are listed above.
After you have mapped and marked the location proceed to jump the planet and prepare to land near the encampment itself.
The next steps are the exact same as the planet scan:
Touch down as close as you can to the encampment as to not be trespassing on their private property. Afterwards disembark on your SRV.
Once you are in the SRV, proceed towards a data point on the base. Most bases have turrets and some even have ships defending them, so be careful. You will know which data point you will need to scan due to the fact that they read Mission Objective in the bottom right of your HUD.
Go into turret mode in the SRV and point it up towards the data point, and with you Data Scanner, on Analysis mode, scan the data point until you hear the ding, or it reads data scanned. You will need to book it back towards your ship as you probably have collected a fine and a bounty.
To dock the SRV, go underneath your ship to where the lights are moving downwards and you should be able to dock by selecting “Board Ship” in the personel menu. It can be finicky sometimes, so keep trying.
CONGRATS! You just completed a Economic Data Scan!
Summary
You’ve have now learned how to successfully complete both a Planetary Scan and Economic Data Scan. These both appear quite a lot and give you a reason to explore the planets that you pass by every time you play. If you have the time, before or after the mission, watch the sunrise on the planet you’re on and maybe take a couple pictures.