A Pilot's Field Manual for Deep Space Operations
If you're starting at the Starmap, you've already taken your first steps into one of the most atmospheric system‑mapping experiences available. This guide covers everything from basic system recon to advanced Starmap customization; straight from the cockpit.
System Reconnaissance
Hit "M" to pull up your map. This kicks you into a 3D orbital view of the system you're currently occupying. It's not just eye candy; this is your tactical picture. You can see the star, planetary orbits, asteroid clusters, and your position relative to everything that matters.
Reading the System;
Once the map is open, the top panel gives you the system breakdown:
| Field | What It Tells You |
|---|---|
| System Name | Your current address in the void |
| System Condition | This tells you whether the system’s resources are untouched (PRISTINE) or mostly extracted (DEPLETED). |
| Center Star | The anchor of the system. Click it for stellar data. |
| Spectral Class | K4, G2, M - tells you the star’s color, temperature, and life stage. |
| Temperature | Surface temp of the star in Kelvin. |
| Age | How long this system has been around. Older systems tend to have settled orbits and stripped outer layers. |
| Mass | In solar masses. Heavier stars = stronger gravity wells = more fuel to escape. |
| Planets | Count of major bodies. |
| Asteroid Belts | Your mining prospects. Each belt is a potential goldmine or waste of time. |
Pro Tip: That [U] SHOW TEMPERATURE toggle? Use it. Knowing the thermal environment before you warp into a belt or atmosphere can save your hull from melting and getting crushed.
Bottom Left: Resource Potential
This is your economic intel for the system:
- Transient Mass - Loose debris and salvage density. SCARCE means don't bother scrounging.
- Composition - Breakdown of materials: Carbonaceous, Silicates, Metallics. Tells you what you're mining for.
- Crude Umbra - Rare/exotic material presence. TRACE means keep moving if you're hunting the good stuff.
Why it matters: Before you commit to a mining run or salvage op, this panel tells you if the system is worth the fuel burn. A PRISTINE tag with rich composition? Deploy a Field Carin. This lets you trace back to that point later.
Bottom Right: Threat Assessment
The System Threats panel keeps you alive:
| Threat Level | Meaning |
|---|---|
1 - NOMINAL | Some floating cargo debris. Free loot, minimal danger. |
2 - 3 | Light hostile presence. Stay alert. |
4 - 5 | Moderate to heavy activity. Consider equipping a combat loadout. |
6 | High‑risk hot zone. Bring allies or avoid using your most valuable ship. |
Salvageable Cargo Debris is your quick-loot indicator. If this is active and the threat is low, its basically free money sitting in space.
Once you've mastered your system, the next step is venturing into the endless void of the Frontier. From your solar system view, zoom out to reveal the ocean of systems waiting for you to chart, exploit, or conquer.
Map Customization - Making the Data Work for You
This is where the map becomes a strategic tool: a set of filters lets you refine the view and highlight the data most relevant to your operation.
Recent
- Jump Range (Default) - Systems within your ship's jump capability are highlighted. Everything else fades to the void. This is your operational envelope.
Corporation
- My Corp Members - See where your corporation is operating. Vital for group mining or PvP fleet coordination.
Geography and Statistics
- Extinct Civilizations - Archaeology and rare salvage. These systems often have derelict structures and unique loot tables.
- Actual Color - Pure aesthetic. Shows systems by their star's real spectral color.
- Region - Color-codes by political/administrative boundaries. Essential for understanding sovereignty and warzones.
Personal
- My Assets - Where you have ships, structures, or deposits.
- My Fleet Members - Real-time (or near-real-time) positions of your squad.
- Avoidance Systems - Systems you've flagged as dangerous. They'll glow warning-red.
Planets -The Miner's Bible
Filter systems by planet type:
- Temperate - Colony candidates, agriculture, high-value real estate
- Plasma - Exotic materials, dangerous extraction
- Gas - Hydrogen, helium-3 fuel skimming
- Ice - Water, volatiles, cryogenic research
- Oceanic - Aquatic resources, certain bio-materials
- Lava - Heavy metals, extreme-heat manufacturing
- Barren - Usually not worth the fuel... unless there's something buried
- Storm - Atmospheric resources, but landing is exciting
- Shattered - Post-cataclysm. Rich in exposed core materials, unstable orbits
Route Planning Pro: Filter by Gas and Ice when planning deep-space expeditions. You need fuel and water synthesis stops.
Travel
- Jump Range - Confirms your current ship's maximum single-hop distance. Plan multi-jump routes accordingly.
Layout Options
The Layout menu controls how the network is drawn:
| Option | Effect |
|---|---|
| No grouping | Raw star positions. Accurate distances, messy visual. |
| Group stars by constellation | Clusters systems into regional blobs. Good for political overview. |
| Group stars by region | Macro-scale. See the shape of known space. |
| All Lines | Every jump corridor visible. Information overload, but complete. |
| Selection's Region Lines | Only shows connections within your selected region's scope. Clean. |
| Selection's Lines Only | Minimalist. Just the routes relevant to your current selection. |
| Abstract layout | Stretches and compresses the network for readability. Sacrifices scale for clarity. |
The frontier doesn't forgive; but it rewards the prepared.