Exploration
Exploration is the field side of the survey system: run an Explore operation in an authored region, collect region-bound survey packets, then use analysis to turn enough evidence into actionable Location Data.
Better scanning classifies more of what is already there.
Every explored region has authored survey outputs. General observations remain the baseline; specialized classes such as mineral, wreck, volatile, gas, signal, rare-metal, or anomaly evidence become more likely to be classified as your Scanning Capability exceeds the local signal difficulty. The system is soft-gated—weak scanners can still get lucky, while strong builds become increasingly reliable.
Scanning Capability is the number that matters in the field.
Survey hardware establishes the physical scanning capability, while Captain and Crew contribution, Scanning Expertise, readiness, condition, power/cooling, and local environmental effects determine how much of it is realized. Navigation and travel capability matter separately because you still have to reach the region you want to survey.
Exploration does not spawn the premium site immediately.
Survey packets must first be correlated into Location Data using capable analysis. The marker remains a physical, tradable resource until it is carried back to its matching region and activated; only then does the temporary site access window begin.