Scouting

Date of information before Early Access.

Probes
Probes are small spacecraft that are controlled by the player or AI. They provide intel, but have somewhat poor accuracy. For example, if you are aware of the presence of a fleet in your area, but unsure of it's exact location, you could dispatch a probe. Once the probe scans the area, it will attempt to return to it's point of origin, the spaceport. Probes can be shot down, or simply fail, denying the player of any information it may have gathered, and leaving them in the dark about the potential fate of said probe.

Information displayed:

 * An asteroid field
 * Planet/Moon type & data
 * Wreckage
 * Ships
 * Stations
 * Nebula

Range
Probes have a limited range and may be upgraded based on the level/modules of the spaceport (not implemented). Probes, as of right now, are only available at spaceports. Each station has a total of 3 probes by default. The number of probes available may be linked to upgrades on the spaceport (not implemented) Spaceports will have an upgrade path that allows for different types of probes that may create a sensor network to pick up jump signatures in a similar way a passive recon station does.

Scout ship
It has been confirmed that there will be a scout ship in the game (not implemented). How it works is to be announced.