Maps & exploration
Surface navigation, galaxy scanning and preparing to visit another world.
M — surface map
M opens the current world’s map. It and the minimap require satellite coverage on that world; without it they show Offline. Launching a communications satellite starts coverage. Once your crew owns a satellite, travelling spreads coverage to newly visited worlds, where it remains unlocked.
Drag with the left mouse button to pan and use the wheel to zoom. A left-click without dragging places a pin; right-click near a pin removes it. Map symbols show local landmarks and points of interest; undiscovered sites use a question mark.
Scrap, wrecks, outposts and camps are scattered across entire worlds, including home. Missing discoveries are added to older saves without replenishing already looted scrap or crates.
H — space map and signal
H opens the space map. You need satellite coverage plus a local Downlink antenna, or the MK2 uplink that replaces the local antenna requirement. Powered antennas speed up sector scanning. A satellite by itself does not immediately reveal the entire galaxy.
Galaxy, system and universe
Unknown sectors remain hidden while the satellite scans them progressively. Click a discovered star to open its system, then select a planet, moon or asteroid belt. Read its biome, atmosphere, breathable oxygen and radiation before planning a visit. Atmosphere alone does not mean you can breathe there.
Use the oxygen, atmosphere and biome filters to narrow down destinations. The home button points to your home system; the location button points to where you currently are. The back button moves up a level. These buttons navigate the space map; it does not currently support the surface map’s drag and wheel zoom.
Launching an MK2 satellite unlocks the universe view and other galaxies. Assign a free MK2 satellite to a galaxy to scan it, then explore the revealed systems.
From a map to a flight
Selecting a destination does not teleport you. You need a completed spaceship, fuel and an available destination. Use E at your ship and choose Fly to plan with that ship, or open H. The Travel action asks for confirmation; unavailable destinations show a reason.
The starting lander cannot become your flying ship. Take oxygen and suitable equipment for the destination, and plan your return. The expedition journal on J provides objectives, destination tracking and a production plan as you progress.
