Caspian Explorer

With cutting-edge modular compatibility, the Caspian Explorer is an attractive choice for pilots with dreams of exploring the galaxy in style. It offers full integration with several Mk II modules to provide an expansive hyperjump range, optimised orbital glides, expert thruster control and a remarkable FSD supercharge capacity. Zorgon Peterson have also packed the Caspian Explorer with plenty of internal module slots to accommodate one’s personal loadout needs.

— In-Game Description

The Caspian Explorer is a large exploration ship produced by Zorgon Peterson. The ship was announced on 4 November 2025 and early access for ARX began on 2 December 2025.^[1]^[2]

Overview

The Caspian Explorer's hull design is saucer-shaped, low profile with 6 main engine exhausts, 4 of which are on 2 movable nacelles on either side of the ship that retract and extend laterally.^[1] The ship's cockpit canopy sits flush against the hull, giving all crew members a panoramic vertical view at the expense of considerable external side views.

The Caspian Explorer is the first ship that can be fitted with a Class 8 hyperdrive. Two types of Class 8 Frame Shift Drive were introduced at the same time as the ship:

the Frame Shift Drive (SCO) (which already existed in Classes 2 to 7), and
the new Mk II Supercharge Optimised Frame Shift Drive (SCO), which increases the multiplier effect of Fuel Scooping from the jet cones of white dwarfs and neutron stars to 200% and 500%, respectively.^[3]

The Caspian Explorer is also the first ship that, at the time of its paid ARX early access introduction, has exclusive access to core internal modules that are not available to any other ship. Three such modules were introduced along with the ship:

Frame Shift Drive - the Mk II Supercharge Optimised Frame Shift Drive (SCO) mentioned above;
Bulkheads - new Mk II Ablative versions of all existing bulkhead armour types, which support planetary entry descents of up to 75 degrees and features glide speeds of up to 3500 m/s;
Thrusters - Mk II Gravity Optimised Thrusters, which are tuned for flight within gravity wells and provide a more powerful thrust when the equipped ship is near a planetary surface.^[2]

Outfitting

Main article: Outfitting

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

Category	Default System	Default Rating	Default Class	Max Class
Medium Hardpoint	Pulse Laser	F	1	2
	Pulse Laser	F	1	2
	Empty	--	--	2
	Empty	--	--	2
	Empty	--	--	2
	Empty	--	--	2
Large Hardpoint	Empty	--	--	3
Utility Mount	Empty	--	--	--
	Empty	--	--	--
	Empty	--	--	--
	Empty	--	--	--
	Empty	--	--	--
	Empty	--	--	--
Bulkheads	Lightweight Alloys	I	C	1
Reactor Bay	Power Plant	E	8	8
Thrusters Mounting	Thrusters	E	7	7
Frame Shift Drive Housing	Frame Shift Drive (SCO)	E	8	8
Environment Control	Life Support	E	5	5
Power Coupling	Power Distributor	E	7	7
Sensor Suite	Sensors	E	8	8
Fuel Store	Fuel Tank [x128]	C	7	7
	Cargo Rack [x64]	E	6	7
	Shield Generator	E	6	6
	Cargo Rack [x32]	E	5	6
	Empty	--	--	5
	Empty	--	--	5
	Empty	--	--	5
	Empty	--	--	5
	Empty	--	--	4
	Empty	--	--	4
	Empty	--	--	3
	Empty	--	--	2
	Empty	--	--	1
	Supercruise Assist	E	1	1
	Advanced Docking Computer	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

Development

The Caspian Explorer was revealed in a Developer Log Video on YouTube on 4 November 2025, and released via early access for ARX on 2 December 2025.^[1]^[2]

Notes

The ship design has numerous similarities with many starships of the science fiction franchise Star Trek, (1965–present), including the Enterprise (NX-01) and its sister ships of the NX-Class, the USS Voyager (NCC-74656, Intrepid-Class), the USS Defiant (NX-74205, Defiant-Class), the Centaur-Class frigates, and the Akira-Class heavy cruisers.
CMDR Steve Falken did a speedrun with the Caspian from Sol to Colonia with 49 jumps in 39 min and 55 sec.^[4] A max single jump of 544Ly with 310 tonnes of fuel and a 1E fuel scoop for supercharging).^[4]