How do I use the Surface Scanning Module?

[mvk]

In my 1.0.2 career, I am trying to scan the surface of Minmus for ore. When right clicking the Surface Scanning Module, it says: Ore [surf] Unknown

I think I need the scans for ore mining.

Edited August 30, 2015 by mvk

[Reddeyfish]

The surface scanning module needs to be used on the surface, so you need to be landed first. Once you are landed, you can use the right-click menu to scan.

You definitely need the scans for find a good spot for mining; the survey scanner has notoriously bad accuracy.

[Geschosskopf]

The Surface Scanner must be landed at least once in each biome you want to check. Once on the ground, right-click it and you'll see "Run Analysis". Once that's done, you'll see the exact amount of Ore directly under the scanner. Also, once this is done, the Surface Scanner will function WITHIN THAT BIOME up to about 100m above the local ground elevation. However, if you move to a new biome, you have to land and "Run Analysis" again.

So, the proceedure this:

1. Land and "Run Analysis".

2. Take off and fly along slowly within 100m of the ground, noting how the Ore value changes as you move.

3. Eventually, the Surface Scanner will say it's in a new biome and will go back to reporting "unknown average".

4. Repeat from Step 1.

Note: I wrote a tutorial on prospecting. See link in my sig.

[mvk]

I am on the ground, but right clicking doesn't give me any option. It gives some data: Body, biome, lat/lon and "Ore [surf] Unknown"

[moogoob]

Maybe you need to pass the big survey scanner over a polar orbit first?

[mvk]

Maybe you need to pass the big survey scanner over a polar orbit first?

I've done that. According to that scan, the landing area is rich in ore.

[Geschosskopf]

I am on the ground, but right clicking doesn't give me any option. It gives some data: Body, biome, lat/lon and "Ore [surf] Unknown"

Make sure you're not in time warp.

[mvk]

I can mine Minmus now. I was confused by the display: 'Unknown' means 0%.

Thanks for the help

[Shulton]

On 8/29/2015 at 11:34 PM, Reddeyfish said:

The surface scanning module needs to be used on the surface, so you need to be landed first. Once you are landed, you can use the right-click menu to scan.

You definitely need the scans for find a good spot for mining; the survey scanner has notoriously bad accuracy.

But. Why me don't see any rock in eve and duna. is this affected. by my graphic game?

[Geschosskopf]

On 6/10/2019 at 2:34 AM, Shulton said:

But. Why me don't see any rock in eve and duna. is this affected. by my graphic game?

Well, this is a huge necro.  And to think I'd already been playing KSP for 2 years when this thread was new.....  I suddenly feel very old 

Anyway, if you are trying to find the Breaking Ground surface features, the only way is manually by driving a rover or EVA-ing/flying very low over the surface.  And even then you'll likely miss most of them unless you have the ROC Locator turned on the in cheat menu.  None of the Breaking Ground surface features show up on any of the scanners or the KerbNet map.