Exploration Data Value

Payout Drivers, Bonuses & Survey Priority

Survey Profile

Signal Summary

Exploration value is shaped by body class, detailed scan state, mapping state, terraformability, first-discovery or first-mapping status, and efficiency bonuses.

For practical explorers, value is a time-management problem: the best route is not always the one that maps everything, but the one that maps the right things for the expedition goal.

PayoutsBonusesTriage

Key Concepts

Body class - Some worlds have a much higher base value than ordinary rocky or icy bodies.

Mapping - DSS mapping can add meaningful value, especially for high-value bodies.

Terraformability - Terraformable bodies are often more valuable than similar non-terraformable bodies.

Bonus states - First tags and efficiency bonuses can improve the final reward profile.

Field Notes

Mapping every icy body on a long expedition is rarely efficient unless the goal is completeness.

High-value scanning becomes easier when the UI highlights candidate classes and terraformable states.

A payout estimate should be treated as guidance, because exact values can depend on scan state and game-side rules.

Reference

Signal	Value	Use
Base driver	Body type	Class and composition set the starting value.
Major modifier	Terraformable	Often pushes a body into the priority list.
Survey choice	Map or skip	Depends on value, distance, and time cost.