Resource scanner - Kerbal Space Program Wiki (2024)

The resource scanners are special instruments for scanning resources, or rather raw materials.

Resource exploration

The first step in finding locations which are rich in resources, for subsequent extraction. The M700 Survey Scanner is an orbital low resolution resource scanner is used to map broad areas of resource concentration on a celestial body. It provides a low detail overview of the entire celestial body, which can then be used to target specific areas for further detailed scanning with high resolution scanners. The scanner works well on a small 1.25m satellite, but has a large electrical demand when activated, so a Z-1k battery, or equivalent, is recommended. An antenna is required to upload the data back to KSC, and any antenna will suffice. Launching should probably make use of a payload fairing or cargo bay, as the scanner is large and not a good aerodynamic shape, so is likely to cause atmospheric control issues when placed on top of a rocket.

The scanner requires a stable polar orbit at an appropriate altitude (see right). The scanner has a minimum and maximum scanning altitude based on the radius of the body it is scanning, clamped to a lowest minimum altitude of 25km, and highest maximum altitude of 1,500km. Once established in orbit, it must first be opened, then the scan can be performed: after actuating the instrument by clicking on the Deploy Scanner click on the Perform orbital survey. The scan is a once per body operation, and only takes a few seconds. The data acquired by the scanner is automatically transmitted, and it is the transmission which uses the large quantity of electricity. The deployed scanner can be deactivated by clicking on the Retract Scanner.

The scan result can be viewed in map mode (default M) while controlling the scanner satellite, or from the KSC Tracking Station. To view the results in map mode, right-click on the scanner while it is deployed and select Toggle Overlay. To view the results from the Tracking Station, select the orbital body and then click on the Resources icon on the right hand side of the window. There are options to change the data presentation. You can modify the display cutoff value (the higher the value, the richer the deposit) by clicking on the - and the +, the results' color and style. You cannot change these parameters from map mode. Retracting the scanner will hide the results until the scanner is re-deployed and the overlay is toggled again.

After using this scanner, it is possible to start resource extraction based on its results alone, but the best results will be achieved by using the scan results as the basis for performing detailed, targeted scans with the high resolution scanners:

• Surface Scanning Module
• M4435 Narrow-Band Scanner

The M4435 Narrow-Band Scanner provides high resolution surface scans of the celestial body it orbits. As the description implies, it can only scan a very small area directly below its position. Its purpose is mainly to locate areas with a high concentration of ore, in order to find spots with the highest yield possible for mining operations. Since it delivers a much higher accuracy than the M700 Survey Scanner, it is reasonable to scan areas with high resource concentration previously identified by a survey scan, or polar orbit for the full covering. Previously identified by a survey scan.

The Surface Scanning Module is used to improve scans on a certain planetary body after a player has already completed an orbital scan. The scanning module can narrow-down potential areas where a player can have improved ore mining output. The properly equipped rover can be ideal for high gravity environments, but a hopping lander is also an option for low gravity environments.

Available resource scanners

Image	Part	Radial size	Cost ()	Mass (t)	Max. Temp. (K)	Tolerance (m/s)	Tolerance (g)	Scanning mode	Scanning resource	Max. altitude (m)
	M700 Survey Scanner	Small	1 500	0.2	2 000	7	50	Orbital	All	1 500 000
	M4435 Narrow-Band Scanner	Small	1 000	0.1	2 000	7	50	Surface	Ore	500 000
	Surface Scanning Module	Radial mounted	800	0.005	2 000	7	50	Surface	Ore	1 000