Asp Explorer

Manufactured by Lakon Spaceways, the Asp Explorer is often marketed at pilots seeking their first multi-crew vessel. Its high jump range and wide, unobstructed cockpit canopy make it popular with explorers, but its versatility also makes it a viable choice for traders and combat pilots.

— In-Game Description

The Asp Explorer is a medium ship produced by Lakon Spaceways. Agile, well-armed for its size, and capable of achieving high jump ranges, the Asp Explorer is a popular and affordable multirole vessel seen in ports across the galaxy that has earned a solid reputation for both long-range missions and those requiring some discretion. It is a civilian version of the military-spec Asp Mk II, which first saw service in 2878. After obtaining the model's manufacturing license, Lakon Spaceways marketed them heavily at customers looking for their first multi-crewed ships. The vessel has become a mainstay among explorers due to its versatility in outfitting and an open, unobstructed cockpit canopy that allows for some dramatic views. Even with its emphasis on exploration, the Asp Explorer's multirole capabilities also allow it to serve as an effective freighter or bounty hunting ship.

Overview

Although the Asp Explorer's name contains the word "Explorer", it is one of the most flexible ship models available in terms of outfitting potential, and an extremely popular choice for pilots who want to dabble in various activities. For a low-cost medium ship, it has a decent cargo capacity of 130 tonnes, surpassing the Type-6 Transporter, and a surprisingly low hull mass for its size that allows it to achieve higher speeds than most dedicated trading vessels. With its six weapon hardpoints, it can be built into a well-armed freighter or a pure fighter suitable for light or moderate combat, but its combat ability is somewhat hampered by thinner armour and a prominent, damage-prone cockpit canopy. The Asp Explorer's best-known role is exploration, however, due to its considerable jump range, enough internal compartments to equip essential exploration modules, and the unobstructed views of the cosmos afforded by its canopy.

While the Asp Explorer packs a decent amount of firepower in the form of two Class 2 hardpoints and four Class 1 hardpoints, it lacks optimal heat dissipation, noticeably suffering in combat situations when equipped with thermal weaponry. This can also present difficulties during fuel scooping, especially when using a smaller Fuel Scoop.

ASP Explorer hardpoints convergence

The Asp Explorer's six weapon hardpoints are located as follows: 2 medium hardpoints on the dorsal surface, 2 small hardpoints on the ventral surface on both sides of the cockpit, and 2 small hardpoints located directly beneath the cockpit. Due to the shape of the ship and the hardpoint locations, the medium hardpoints and small hardpoints share a small field of fire directly ahead. Pilots should be aware that turreted weapons in both medium hardpoints will have firing arcs above the cockpit where the pilot can generally see the target and the turrets' line of fire. However, turrets in all four small hardpoints will have firing arcs below the cockpit, where the target will tend to be obscured from the pilot's vision by the flight console and the floor.

The primary pilot seat is located along the centerline of the ship on the bridge. A secondary pilot seat for Multicrew is located along the centerline of the ship below the bridge which is directly underneath the pilot's station. The Asp Explorer's Heat Vents are located on its central spine, in the area between its two fins.

Purchase Locations

System	Station	Date Seen	Discount
Shinrarta Dezhra	Jameson Memorial	Always available	10% discount
Brestla	i Sola Prospect	Always available	20% surcharge
Akkadia	Calvin Lawrence	15 Oct 2020	15% discount
G 35-15	Cugnot Terminal	15 Oct 2020	15% discount
Lalande 4268	Lowry Ring	15 Oct 2020	15% discount
Dinda	Ravenclan's Astro Lab	15 Oct 2020	15% discount
Kokary	Gidzenko Terminal	15 Oct 2020
EQ Pegasi	Merbold Ring	15 Oct 2020
Exioce	Miller Terminal	15 Oct 2020
Avalon	Noctilux	15 Oct 2020
LP 131-66	Vasilyev Vision	15 Oct 2020
LHS 2764A	Low Orbital	15 Oct 2020
Sungai	Willis Station	25 Nov 2020

Outfitting

Main article: Outfitting

All ships are highly customisable through the Outfitting menu of Station Services. Listed below is the default load-out for the Asp Explorer.

Category	Default System	Default Rating	Default Class	Max Class
Small Hardpoint	Pulse Laser (L)	F	1	1
	Pulse Laser (L)	F	1	1
	Empty	--	--	1
	Empty	--	--	1
Medium Hardpoint	Empty	--	--	2
	Empty	--	--	2
Utility Mount	Empty	--	--	0
	Empty	--	--	0
	Empty	--	--	0
	Empty	--	--	0
Bulkheads	Lightweight Alloys	I	1	8
Reactor Bay	Power Plant	E	5	5
Thrusters Mounting	Thrusters	E	5	5
Frame Shift Drive Housing	Frame Shift Drive	E	5	5
Environment Control	Life Support	E	4	4
Power Coupling	Power Distributor	E	4	4
Sensor Suite	Sensors	E	5	5
Fuel Store	Fuel Tank [x32]	C	5	5
Internal Compartments	Cargo Rack [x32]	E	5	6
	Shield Generator	E	5	5
	Cargo Rack [x4]	E	2	3
	Empty	--	--	3
	Empty	--	--	3
	Cargo Rack [x2]	E	1	2
	Empty	--	--	2
	Supercruise Assist	E	1	1
	(PAS)	I	1	1

• (L) = Loaned Module
• [x#] = Capacity
• (PAS) = Reserved solely for the Planetary Approach Suite or Advanced Planetary Approach Suite

Notes

• The Asp Explorer was first revealed for Elite Dangerous in Newsletter #6. It was first added to the game in beta version 2.0 on 30 September 2014.

Trivia

• As of 16 December 2019, the Asp Explorer was one of the three most popular ships in Elite Dangerous, the other two being the Cobra Mk III and the Python.

Videos

• File:Meet The Asp Explorer - More Than Just Exploration Elite Dangerous Commercial
• File:Join the Adventure - Elite Dangerous Asp Explorer
• File:Elite Dangerous - Alcor
• File:Elite Dangerous Horizons - MAIA
• File:For the love of the game
• File:Mango's Manual to the Asp Explorer -Elite-Mango's Manual to the Asp Explorer
• File:The Asp Explorer Elite Dangerous
• File:Elite Dangerous - Relaxed Core Mining

Gallery

• 
  Asp Explorer Concept Art
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  Asp View
• 
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  Asp Explorer - Red Pharao Aft Bottom View
• 
  Asp Explorer - Red Pharao Aft Top Hangar View
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  Asp Explorer - Red Pharao Front Bottom Coriolis Hangar
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  Asp Explorer - Red Pharao Front Top Coriolis Hangar
• 
  Asp Explorer - Red Pharao Top Aft View on Outpost
• 
  Top view of Asp Explorer showing heat radiators uncovered
• 
  Hi-res of Asp Explorer at a planetary outpost
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  Lakon Asp Explorer
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  Asp Explorer Docked
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  Vibrant Green Asp in front of O star
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  Asp Explorer cockpit
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  Asp Explorer and Earth-like planet
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  Asp Explorer and horses scaleAsp Explorer on surface of ringed planet with star in background
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  Asp Explorer docked in a hangar
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  Asp Explorer and planetary ring
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  Asp Explorer and anemones
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  Asp Explorer and a Brown Dwarf
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  Asp Explorer Holo-Screen Contest Winner by Miles Miller
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  Asp Explorer and Outpost
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  Beluga Asp Sidewinder ship scale