How to Use Collector Limpets

Status: Draft
Last reviewed: 2026-08-24
Reviewer: Sythan
Game mode: Both
Version coverage: unspecified
Source quality: Procedure draft based on current collector limpet mining workflow and EDFM Mining metadata
Known uncertainty: Exact limpet lifetime and controller variant statistics are left to module reference data.

Deploy collector limpets efficiently and avoid common mistakes that destroy limpets or slow collection.

Use this procedure when fragments, chunks, cargo, or materials are floating near the ship and a Collector Limpet Controller is fitted.

Draft: This article is still a work in progress and may be incomplete. You can help improve it by adding or expanding its content.

Before you start

Fit and power a Collector Limpet Controller.
Carry limpets in cargo.
Make sure the cargo hatch can open and the ship has room for what collectors bring back.
Position the ship so limpets do not have to fly through asteroid surfaces or other obstacles.

Procedure

Stop targeting individual fragments unless you deliberately want a single-use pickup.
Open the cargo hatch if it is not already open.
Launch collector limpets after useful fragments or chunks are available.
Keep the ship steady and close enough that collectors have a short, clear path.
Continue extraction while collectors return items to the ship and refinery.
Watch the refinery and cargo hold so collectors do not waste time on blocked or unwanted fragments.
Move carefully when repositioning; give active limpets space to follow without hitting rock.

The procedure is complete when useful fragments have been collected and are either processed by the Refinery or stored as cargo or materials.

A collector dies after one pickup: the ship probably had a fragment or cargo canister targeted when the limpet launched.
Collectors keep dying: move farther from asteroid surfaces and avoid dragging limpets through rock.
Collectors bring unwanted fragments: use How to Ignore Unwanted Mining Commodities and clear unnecessary refinery bins.
Collectors stop working: check cargo space, refinery space, cargo hatch status, controller power, and remaining limpets.

How to Core Mine (Draft) — Identify core asteroids, place seismic charges, crack the asteroid safely, and collect exposed deposits.
How to Ignore Unwanted Mining Commodities (Draft) — Use the contacts and refinery workflow to stop collector limpets from repeatedly bringing in fragments you do not want to keep.
How to Laser Mine (Draft) — Extract surface fragments from asteroids with mining lasers, collect them with limpets, and refine useful commodities.
How to Mine Surface Deposits (Draft) — Break surface deposits from asteroids with an abrasion blaster and collect the resulting materials or commodities.
How to Sub-surface Mine (Draft) — Extract sub-surface deposits from asteroids with displacement missiles and collect the released chunks.
How to Use Collector Limpets (Draft) — Deploy collector limpets efficiently and avoid common mistakes that destroy limpets or slow collection.