This is just a short summary of the features; please refer to the full Mission Explorer feature reference for an overview description with images and explaination, or the user manual for full documentation.

Mission Explorer

The Mission Explorer module consists of:

  • Route Plotting
  • Mission Optimiser
  • Commodity Search

Route Plotting

Various routes from different sources can be plotted in the Galaxy Map and a visual representation of the route shown. Routes can be generated via Elite missions (cargo/passenger), manually created by adding waypoints, or automatically added to waypoints via plotting a route in Elite Dangerous.

Waypoint/Manual Route Plotter

In addition to the mission route plotting, manual waypoints can be plotted on the galaxy map.
System names can be added (or imported) to use during the route. Clicking the Waypoint Route button plots the route plot and optionally uses the Neutron Search option to plot the route using neutron star FSD boosts.

Elite Galaxymap Route Plotting

When a route is plotted in-game, the star systems are added to the waypoints list. Clicking the Plot Galaxymap button plots the route onto the galaxymap MFD and also gives a route summary in the Route Planner Display.
The display gives an indication of the main sequence star, if it’s scoopable and if the star system is already known – ie making it easy to spot an undiscovered system in the route.
The indication of [EDSM] and [database] show where the system is known – [database] means you have discovered the system and it’s contained in ED:CD’s local database; [EDSM] means that the system is unknown to you but has been reported by other CMDRs to EDSM.

Neutron Route Plotter

Missions which are very far away can benefit from an efficient route through the galaxy to reach the destination. The Neutron Route feature calculates the least number of jumps using known neutron stars and plot the results on the 3D galaxy map. Selecting a node from the UI List adds the star system name to the clipboard - for easy pasting into Elite Galaxy Map (next jump).
Routes can be added via the Commander's missions or entered manually.

Cougar Display - Neutron Route Plot


Mission Optimiser (Route Plotting)

This module can help a Commander plan his routes from station to station. On each new mission accepted, the system builds a list of known missions and calculates the most efficient route between star systems. The computed route is based only on the systems in the missions and performs distance/jump calculations based on a look up to a cached copy of EDDB’s database. As part of the supply/demand missions, the system will add stations you must visit to buy goods (using the commodity search module functionality). Note, however, it doesn’t take into account available cargo space at any one time – so this is something you’ll need to manage for yourself!

Calculated routes are shown in the 3D galaxy map where the view can be manipulated via mouse and / or keyboard.

MFD Cougar Display - Mission route optimiser


Commodity Search

The Commodity Search tab contains live in-game information for the current system, your ship and it’s FSD jump range.
This module allows a commander to:

  • Quickly search for stations offering the highest prices for your mining minerals
  • Quickly search for stations with tech brokers/ material traders, etc
  • Search for specific in-game commodities and locate a station with a certain quantity.
  • All Search can be filtered to show results within a distance from a specified system, or the current system.
  • Results are ranked for the most efficient use of time
    (considers number of jumps, distance of station from star, quantity of commodity, requires permits, landing pad size)

Mission log - quick search


Screen Organisation

The Commodity Search screen is vertically split into three sections. On the left are the search options for Systems and stations; on the right are the options for commodity searching and in the middle are options applicable to both types of searching.

Common Search Options

These options are additional criteria to reduce the number of stations returned in a given search. Of particular interest is the reference system and the permit and planetary requirements.

Note: The current UI values (common search options) are also used by the mission route optimiser when it runs in the background).

Read the user manual on this feature for more information, or read this tutorial for in-depth usage and examples.

INARA Support

INARA has been chosen to replace EDDB as the source of commodity search data.
Elite missions (source/supply) can be route optimised using the systems/stations identified by an INARA commodity search.