Planetary Exploration

Endeavour’s mission is one of exploration and discovery. While a great deal of stellar research will have been completed from Earth using radio telescopes, planetary exploration must be done at much closer range.

Teams on Earth will identify systems of interest for Endeavour to investigate. This will typically involve an initial pass of the system to identify anything of further interest. Any planets likely to be capable of supporting life will have initial low-resolution scans of their complete surface made from orbit.

Identifying Points of Interest

Orbital scans will gather data on the planet’s hydrology, meteorology, geology and geography. These initial scans will be assessed by the virtual crew for anything worthy of further interest. On their recommendation, more resource-intensive scans which provide greater detail can be conducted at specific locations.

Being the first to identify something of interest will earn you credit, awarded in proportion to the significance of the find. Even if you’re not first, assessing and recommending another crew member’s discovery will allow you to share their credit.

Points of interest can take many forms, but signs of sentient life, past civilisations or valuable natural resources will be most valuable to the mission. Major discoveries like new life forms or alien technology won't be easy to make. Potential indicators of such things are many and varied but upon closer examination turn out to be nothing. For example, an apparently symmetrical arrangement on a scan might indicate a built structure – but is even more likely to be a natural formation.

Away Missions

Demonstrating expertise with scanning is a good way to be considered for away-missions to continue hands-on investigation planetside. But keep in mind that away missions can have complex requirements and also serve as training opportunities for less experienced crew.

Join the Action

This is just one way you can take part in Endeavour’s mission as part of the virtual crew.

Not only can you watch the action live as it’s happening, as virtual crew you’ll have full access to actual vessel consoles so that you can monitor systems and adjust control settings to test your solution ideas.

What you discover or develop will be delivered directly into the action so your crewmates can assess and recommend your contribution. If you spotted something first or solved a problem better then you’ll see it unfold onscreen and career-advancing credit will be coming your way.

Enjoy enough success like that and you’ll be soon be stepping onto the bridge to join the onscreen crew.