I'm almost done the mission BEFORE starting the aphotic one, and my question is whether or not the artifact you get gives you a planet slot as well as the aphotic planet... sort of like the drannik colony ship does..
I read the description and it says it gives you basically a guaranteed planet thats aphotic.... so is it JUST the scan, and you can colonize or not, based on whether you like it as it is?

Yes, you only get the scan. It does not give extra slots. So if you are maxed out on planets, you can't colonize one until you gain another open slot. And remember... After you use the artifact that reveals the scan, anyone can now scan that planet just like any other one.

always there to help darth thanks. sent you a pm as well