In Elite Dangerous, Exploration Data is a key component for earning credits and enhancing your reputation, particularly when engaged in exploration activities. This data is generated through scanning star systems and their celestial bodies, including stars, planets, moons, and various points of interest. The financial rewards for this exploration depend significantly on the thoroughness of your scans and the rarity of the celestial bodies you discover.

Overview of Exploration Data Value

The value of Exploration Data is determined by several factors:

1. Completeness of Scans:
– Basic Scans (Detected): When you perform a minimal scan of a celestial body, the data collected is classified as “detected.” These scans yield low payouts.
– Detailed Scans (Fully Discovered): Conducting thorough scans significantly increases the data’s value, often multiplying the reward by 3x or more.

2. Type of Celestial Bodies:
– More common bodies such as brown dwarfs and icy worlds provide lower payouts.
– Rare features like black holes, neutron stars, and Earth-like worlds yield much higher rewards.

3. Fresh Data:
– Selling data from star systems that are located far from your current position can slightly increase their value, as Universal Cartographics tends to reward previously undiscovered systems more generously.

4. First Discoverers:
– If you are the first explorer to document a celestial body, you receive a bonus of 50% on your payout for that data.

Steps to Profitably Sell Exploration Data

To maximize your Exploration Data profits, follow these structured steps:

1. Prepare Your Ship:
– Equip your ship with a Detailed Surface Scanner and a Discovery Scanner. These tools are essential for collecting comprehensive data on celestial bodies.

2. Explore Thoroughly:
– Engage in thorough exploration of star systems. Make sure to scan all stars and planetary bodies in a system to enhance the value of your collected data.
– Focus on areas that harbor high-value celestial objects.

3. Head to a Station:
– Find a station equipped with Universal Cartographics. This will be your destination for turning in the collected data.

4. Sell Collected Data:
– Access the Universal Cartographics tab at the station and submit your Exploration Data. Selling your data consistently will lead to significant earnings.

5. Repeat and Strategize:
– Continue the exploration cycle, targeting systems that feature valuable celestial bodies and ones that have not been mapped yet. Keep track of your discoveries to ensure you maximize earnings.

Additional Considerations

Given the vastness of space in Elite Dangerous, long-distance travel is often necessary. To facilitate this:

– Upgrade your ship’s Frame Shift Drive for improved jump range, allowing you to access more distant systems effectively.
– Consider equipping a fuel scoop to recharge your fuel tank while flying close to stars, making your exploration trips more self-sufficient.

Conclusion

Exploration Data in Elite Dangerous is both a lucrative and rewarding aspect of gameplay. By focusing on thorough scans, targeting rare celestial bodies, and taking advantage of first discoveries, players can greatly increase their earnings and reputation. Following the outlined steps will streamline your efforts in exploring the galaxy and turning data into credits efficiently.