Sub-surface Mining
EDFM // Mining
Sub-surface mining uses displacement missiles to extract deposits inside an asteroid.
Sub-surface mining uses a Sub-surface Displacement Missile against a deposit inside an asteroid. A prospector scan identifies the deposit, then the missile is fired and released during the extraction window to break material loose for collection.
When to use sub-surface mining
Sub-surface mining sits between laser mining and core mining in complexity. The commander still prospects asteroids and collects refined cargo, but extraction depends on a short timing interaction rather than a continuous laser beam or a seismic detonation.
This method is useful when the target asteroid has sub-surface deposits worth extracting. It is not a replacement for prospecting: firing displacement missiles without a confirmed deposit wastes ammunition and time.
Equipment
A sub-surface mining ship needs:
- Sub-surface Displacement Missile — extracts the internal deposit.
- Prospector Limpet Controller — identifies deposits and contents.
- Collector Limpet Controller — retrieves the released chunks.
- Refinery, cargo space, and limpets.
- Detailed Surface Scanner — useful when the run is aimed at a mapped hotspot.
Workflow summary
- Prospect the asteroid and select a sub-surface deposit.
- Fire and hold the displacement missile while tracking the deposit indicator.
- Release during the highlighted extraction band.
- Keep collector limpets active to retrieve the released chunks.
- Manage refinery bins so mixed fragments do not stall collection.
Practical notes
- Sub-surface deposits are target-specific; do not expect every asteroid in a hotspot to contain one.
- Practice the release timing on low-risk targets before treating it as a profit run.
- Collectors and refinery bins are still the bottleneck once chunks have been released.
Related Field Procedures
- How to Sub-surface Mine (Draft) — Extract sub-surface deposits from asteroids with displacement missiles and collect the released chunks.