I have finally arrived at the DSSA vessel Ironside in the Plaa Aec RY-B b41 system! I am looking forward to a couple days of rest and relaxation before beginning the next leg of my journey. I have already downloaded the cartographic data I have collected and performed minor maintenance on my ship. Tomorrow I plan to explore the abandoned settlement sites.

I have been investigating many interesting geographical features. Perhaps I have been a little too cavalier in my surface explorations, though, as I have used up half the fuel in the SRV. I have decided to limit future excursions until I find a planet with the necessary materials to synthesize more fuel, or reach DSSA Ironside.

Exploring an ice canyon

VB-W C15-69 A2B

I continue to work my way across Hawkings Gap surveying many interesting systems as I go. I investigated Gru Dryou ZE-A g4, a bright Type-B star that shows prominently on the map. I am currently finishing up a survey of Gru Dryou GN-M c10-2 A, a Type-K star featuring 73 orbiting bodies!

Investigating a silicate vapour geyser on Gru Dryou GN-M c10-2 A 7 a

After weeks of shakedown flights, and a bit of experimental engineering from Felicity Farseer, the Copernicus has finally reached deep space on it's first extended exploration trip. I crossed into Hawkings Gap today, and was rewarded with an Earth-like world in one of the first systems I surveyed. I am setting course for the DSSA vessel Ironside, but will wander as I will. From there I intend to either continue further into Hawkings Gap, or into the Norma Expanse.