After over a month of exploration, I finally discovered my fifth planet!

![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmPVi3CspJV2F2Keqf8QeoTaHxWks1zJudZEHc4p1xWfJS/image.png)

It is just a common coal planet but I kinda like the design of it. This new planet is a strategic one because it is right beside a vast plot of unexplored area!

![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmaj5kjVdeQP942dTHyK5jZvX5mVt7pGfHGgiEghK2maL9/image.png)

Previously my exploration missions will take more than 1 day to explore and return home. With this new planet, I will be able to park all my explorers there and explore more efficiently. Hopefully that leads to my sixth planet very soon :)

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### Exploration

Anyway, since we are on the topic of exploration, perhaps I will just expand a bit on the game mechanics of exploration. In my [previous post](https://www.steemace.io/nextcolony/@culgin/resources-piling-up-on-nextcolony), I mentioned that exploring for new planets is in my opinion the main thing that makes this game fun. Each time you send an explorer to an unexplored area, there is a slim chance that you will find a new planet.

So how does exploration works? As a start, you will need to first be able to build an explorer. To do so, you need to research your "Explorer" building skill to level 20 and have a shipyard at level 13. Oh, in order to build a level 13 shipyard, you will need to learn the shipyard building skill to level 13 as well. Skills learning takes a lot of time and resources, I will cover that in a separate post.

![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmWTZmRRfugmg8UgUs7gKs1JiFCCHMj6X4znLuUtb4FkP7/image.png)

Once you have the necessary "ingredients" you can finally build your explorer! An explorer needs 520 coal, 250 ore, 65 copper and 91 uranium. It may seem like an easy requirement, but it actually isn't. 91 uranium is quite difficult to stock up. My level 18 uranium mine only produces 180+ uranium per day. That means half my day of production can only buy one explorer.

![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmTximfZyQSAAHQUKPkp1gZoiuAxB3faKLNY4ZhBa5ef5i/image.png)

So after you are done building an explorer (yes, it takes time), you can then initiate your exploration mission. There are 2 ways that you can start the mission. The first way is through the map, go the map (Click on "[Name of Planet]" -> "Galaxy" to bring up the map) and select an unexplored area, can click on "Explore Now". This is the easier way.

<center>![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmb2Ppvq7TGYdv2xJeR5D31hCDuMUGVAHRm6MqXMHK3J7G/image.png)</center>

The second way requires you to know the coordinate of where you want to explore. To do that, select "[Name of your planet]" -> "Fleet" -> Select "Explore" and follow the instructions on the next page.

<center>![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmNqtpS89X7PTT2UzB5rnw5qjRHB6U9GpviRizRnQdFhvw/image.png)</center>

An exploration consists of 2 phases, the trip there and the trip back. **There is a 1% chance that you will find a planet on each mission and a 5% chance that you will lose your ship**. NextColony offers a premium version of explorer which allows you to increase your chance of finding a planet. You can refer to the [FAQ](https://nextcolony.io/faq) to learn more. 

That is about all for exploration. Basically there is quite a lot of luck involved and that is what makes people so happy when a new planet is discovered.

Oh and by the way, this is my first time posting through the [SteemAce](https://www.steemace.io) tribe interface. Since it is based on Steemit condenser, it feels exactly as though I am posting from Steemit. If I am not wrong, SteemAce is the only gaming oriented tribe in town. Hence, I think it is most appropriate for me to tag SteemAce when I post about NextColony.