Hey everyone.

OK, so like the subject title says... I just started playing. From what I have read so far, it looks like I need to research something in order to scan in the first place. I have the first level sensor, but I am guessing there is a difference between sensors and scanners. I have also read that scanning isn't really that important so early in the game.. I'm only lvl 8.. but I will require to perform scans in the first tier missions. Is this correct ?

Now, as for scanning to be able to finish the first tier missions... what do I need to do in order to scan ? What module needs to be researched, and when it is, will scanning show up on my ship's actions list when it is installed.

Thanks for any and all advice, Matt

Here is how scanning works. You start out with a proximity sensor, Mk I that you can install on your ship. If you research the scanning tree which is the one 2nd from the bottom, youll get better scanners to equip. Scanners do these things.
-They are absolutly necessary to find planets which give you more money(mining), artifacts, and research.
-They help you see what a cloaked ship has on their ship
-They give you a higher chance of getting a critical hit in battle

Every time you find a planet it becomes harder to find the next one. If you install all 5 sensors on your ship and have lets say an 80% chance to find a planet as soon as you find one that chance would decrease to 77 or 78%. This would continue until 5% and at that point you would not be able to scan again until you get new better scanners.

THere is NO difference between scanners and sensors. Its just two different names for the same thing. Scanning is, i think, the most complicated thing in the game but youll get used to it.

Sensors and Scanners are used interchangeably.

I would probably buy as many of the scanner you have as the ship will allow, scan until I got down to 10 energy. I would then colonize the best mineral planet. Get enough minerals and to level 4 so you can get your second planet. I would get whatever the best research planet it.

After that, I would wait a bit, researching scanning before getting more planets. You are protected until level twenty so it is best to level slow at this point researching as much as possible, getting decent planets early on and so on.

Thanks for the help guys