I have been thinking about this idea for quite some time. Currently scanning is mainly used for just discovering planets, here is my ''vision'' how to put it to better use. Post might come quite long but i hope it will be worth the read.

The idea is to create a new tab lets call it just scan (this could actually replace planets tab witch can be moved under it).
In that tab there would be ''planets'' and also the ''science station''. Under the science station would be similar to battle tab NPCs but! with a twist, instead of ships there would be anomalies, dark matter zones, nebulae, asteroids, old ship derelicts, space faring organisms, why not even planet events, well the choices are limitless (ill write some ideas later on).

You can complete those events exactly like npcing, i know is some of those cases idea behind losing hull seems weird (like scanning a space turtle with 4 elephants on it) but you need some kind of draw back or money dump similar to npcing.

Now a bit more technical, instead of attack and defense you will use scan and cloak scan increases the ''damage'' you do to the event and cloak reduces the damage you take. Cant think of how to replace the ''events'' hull attack and defense but i am quite sure you guys will come up with something.

As for rewards in addition to experience artifacts, ship parts, the usual. In addition the events could evolve: your scanning an asteroid, once it is complete there in a % chance for in its place to come next event that is connected to the first. You will find a crashed spaceship on it, deposit of rare metals, life forms etc (this part can be cut if that is to hard to implement, never know).

This could actually opens up a whole new level to the game play, instead of battle ships we could build science ships with lots of scanners and cloak, they can also pvp, well of sorts,- hacking. Not all player want to battle, they enjoy missions and building up planets, playing like a pacifist, this would be great choice for them and also for the science fiction fans.

As for some event ideas:
Lets start with the basics:
Your basic common fillers - asteroids, solar flares, gas clouds, planetary scans
Rarer events - supernovas, space organisms, derelict spaceships, nebulae, dark matter storms
Then also planetary help events, helping in rebuilding efforts, medical assistance, finding cure for diseases


Well that post came out longer then i thought of but i do think it could give the game some new directions and open up new gameplay option in addition to current battle heavy game (maybe even pull in even more players), don't get me wrong i just love this game!

only read the top... sounds familiar, you probably got the idea from another game.
to much to read.. but "space events" +1

i like the idea, but dislike putting the planets tab and combining it in another one, also would take dan a while to implement but once he's sorted the legion missions and upping the rank range for the 4 main npc's then i would liek to see this sort of thing implemented