Thank you for choose the Advanced Capabilities Exploration(ACE) pod for your needs!

The ACE pod is equipped with an automatic tutor function that will instruct you on basic maneuvering once the protective shields are retracted. If this component is damaged on your ship, you can find all controls and their mappings under "Controls" within the ships "Settings" menu (press [Esc] to enter the settings menu). All default control mappings will also be listed in this manual under Appendix I : Mappings.

Though these mappings will get you started, the ship will also notify you of a change in functionality. For instance, [Space] is also used to survey a targeted planet if it the Materials on that planet are unknown.

The following sections will contain an overview of the basic components of your ACE pod.

Here are a few features to keep in mind while maneuvering your vessel through space:

• Cruise, the ACE pod can enter a high speed cruise mode by expending Fuel
  
• Auto-reverse-thrusters, the ACE pod will automatically slow down when not thrusting
  
• Auto-orbit-thrusters, the ACE pod will automatically attempt to keep you in orbit
  
• Radiation Shielding, the ACE pod will protect you from a lot of solar radiation*

Fuel
Fuel is expended only while in Cruise mode. Once you run out of Fuel, the ACE pod will no longer be able to sustain or enter Cruise mode. Visit a fuel collecting source, such as a Station to regain fuel. Fuel can also be found in space where ships or other man made debris can be salvaged.



*(WARNING: Radiation Shielding is not rated for more than 0.5AU solar radiation levels. Keep your distance from radiation sources.)

The primary advanced function of the ACE pod is to build structures in space. Below are a few structures that can be built by the ACE pod. Keep in mind, all structures will require some amount of Scrap.

The Station is the base orbital structure. It has many functions:

• Territory marker, a Station represents control of the orbitting planet
  
• Material access, access the materials that are found on the planet
  
• Satellite builder, ability to build satellites around planet
  
• Fuel condenser, will refill your Fuel while in orbit
  
• Upgradable, to enable additional features

The harvester satellite collects scrap from the planet over time. The automation of scrap mining can allow you to take care of more important issues.

The repair satellite will repair any friendly vessel within range. If you are damaged, seek out a repair satellite and get close to it.

The laser satellite, like many defensive satellites, will defend your base by shooting any unfriendly vessels with its weaponized laser.

The generator satellite will generate Power Cores over time for advanced ability use. See "Special Abilities" for more information.

The radio satellite uses multiple sensors to detect gravitational forces over long distances to confirm locations of the nearest solar systems. Many radio satellites spread over far distances can also be used to help triangulate Federation of Earth Descendants(FED) vessels.

The most fundamental tool on the ACE pod is the plasma blaster. It can be used to protect the vessel or clear debris.

The most versatile tool on the ACE pod is the tether. The tether can cut through physical materials very fast and precisely, making it a prime tool to quickly mine asteroids or salvage ships. Due to its Computer Numerical Control, using the tether can increase the yield and salvaged contents when used for mining or salvage.

Beyond the scope of this guide, but worth mention, is the secondary weapon, a more powerful and modifiable component. Often a missile system.

Beyond the scope of this guide, but worth mention is the ACE pod modular design. With proper equipment and knowledge, you can upgrade the hull of the ACE pod to gain additional strengths and abilities. Once all requirements are met, you can upgrade the hull in the "Ship" section of the "Upgrade" section of the "Game Menu".

One note worth mentioning is that each use of any special ability will require a Power Core to be consumed.