Considering Exploration

[Adept]

The new BSG? Sounds like it's a problem alright

That thing went badly off the rails after the first season.

[Raveen]

I'm enjoying season 2 so far. Which gives you an impression of how long this exploring thing is taking

[id3nt1ty]

Season three is where it really starts to go off the rails. And just forget about it once you reach the mini-series. I still haven't finished the last season...

[Raveen]

3k out from Sag A* now but I'm away for the weekend so I'm camped up for a bit. Damn having a life getting in the way!

Part of me wants to get back and cash in the data (I actually think most of the payouts will be Nectar points from filling up with fuel so often) and see what's happening in the real world. It's been a hell of an experience though.

The navicomp is running very slow this deep into the core too. A good thump gets it going but it's taking a while to plot a course of 100+ ly

[Andon]

I think, once Powerplay goes live, I'll kit out something and head off into space. Maybe to the edge of the galaxy, see what it looks like

[Andon]

And apparently that's today. Probably will play some tomorrow.

[Adept]

Updating...

[Andon]

I struck out exploring in an aptly-named Diamondback Explorer today. Ended up about 750 light years from my starting point. Only ran into one star so far that nobody else has explored.

I have the ship's built-in Class 5 fuel tank plus an additional Class 4 and Class 3 Fuel Tank. 56 tons of fuel capacity. A2 reactor (Instead of the class 4 it CAN fit), A5 FSD. Various A and D grade equipment for the rest. Advanced Discovery Scanner and Detailed Surface Scanner. Four heat sink launchers, just in case things get hairy. No weapons, of course.

I headed up instead of over, and I just have to say - I'm not really "Close" to the edge of where you can realistically travel, but I've still come to a spot where I can only see one, maybe two stars in my view. It's weird.

Oh, and because exploration deserves pictures - I turned around and take a look at the galaxy, and got this (Link because large file):
http://www.matchfire.net/andon/galaxy.png

[Adept]

Is it because even though the stars are thinning out, you are seeing galaxies? It should get much darker though.

[id3nt1ty]

Nice screen shot! Made me realise how dusty my work monitors are though, and quite a few "stars" didn't move when I panned around the image.

[Andon]

Is it because even though the stars are thinning out, you are seeing galaxies? It should get much darker though.

That's one of my disappointments. There's one, maybe two galaxies to see, when realistically speaking there should be a lot more

[Raveen]

Undiscovered stars and systems can be found closer in if you stay off the beaten track (so no heading for nebulas etc). Beyond 1 kylie you're very likely to be in undiscovered country.

I'm 1.9 kylies from Sag A* after a short go yesterday. I had to remap my controls last night - I finally got my FF wheel to work properly but that added to the 1.3 update made ED see that as my main JS. Roll worked fine with the wheel but yaw and pitch were a bit trickier...

I need to reinstall my G13 software, although that's less essential out here than it will be in combat. With a bit of luck I'll get the Sag A* tonight or tomorrow. Then there's the long haul home.

[Andon]

I saw you online yesterday. Went to the map and saw a friend icon way out in the core. "Oh, Rav's online!"

[Raveen]

I saw your message but my connection was too flakey to get a reply out to you. If you spot me tonight, take a screenshot of the map (I'll do it if I spot you )!

[Adept]

I'm 1.9 kylies from Sag A* after a short go yesterday. I had to remap my controls last night - I finally got my FF wheel to work properly but that added to the 1.3 update made ED see that as my main JS. Roll worked fine with the wheel but yaw and pitch were a bit trickier...

What sorcery is this? I get that you're rolling the ship with a wheel, but how do you map yaw and pitch?

Id3nt1ty has a CH Yoke he's not using btw. Could be worth asking if you can buy, borrow or cadge it from him.