elite dangerous as i approach dock it turns into planet

Elite Dangerous: When Approaching a Dock, it Suddenly Turns into a Planet

As I explored the vast galaxy in Elite Dangerous, I encountered a peculiar phenomenon that caught me off guard. When approaching a dock, my ship would suddenly transform into a planet, and I was left wondering what was going on. In this article, we'll delve into the intricacies of planetary flight and docking in Elite Dangerous.

To begin with, if you're having trouble spotting a target base while approaching a dock, try dipping your nose down to get a better view. Keeping your flight at a shallow angle, between -5 and +5 degrees, will allow you to maintain high speeds and orbit the planet quickly. However, deviating from this range for too long can cause you to drop out of orbital cruise and slow down.

What's interesting is that Elite Dangerous has an automatic orbital cruise feature that kicks in when you pass beneath the blue line while approaching a planet. This means that you don't need to manually engage super-cruise mode to enter planetary flight. Super-cruise, on the other hand, is designed for interstellar travel and can be used in conjunction with planetary flight.

One common misconception about Elite Dangerous is the lack of ability to hand over cash when docking. However, this isn't entirely accurate. While there's no direct way to pay for docking services, you can drop cargo worth the required amount to satisfy the demand. This can be especially useful when dealing with pirates who request payment in exchange for safe passage.

Another valuable tool is the Advanced Discovery Scanner, which can detect Nav Beacons at a longer distance. These beacons are magnets for scoundrels and should be used sparingly, as they often attract unwanted attention. When targeting a Nav Beacon, aim your ship towards it and press the 'A' key to lock onto its position.

To get the most out of your scanning experience, make sure to scan Nav Beacons regularly. These valuable data points provide crucial information about the system, including the location of bases. Scanning a planet can also yield credits, which can be sold when you're over 20LYs away. Be patient, as charging up your scanner takes time and requires holding down the trigger.

In conclusion, approaching a dock in Elite Dangerous can be a thrilling experience, especially with the added challenge of planetary flight. By understanding the intricacies of docking and scanning, you'll be better equipped to navigate the galaxy and uncover its secrets. Remember to keep an eye on your scanner settings, assign your scanners to weapons groups, and don't ignore those valuable Nav Beacons. Happy flying!

Elite dangerous as i approach dock it turns into planet