Discoveries

Discoveries in Astroneer consist of a large number of different scenarios randomly generated throughout the Planets. Offering a range of resources, artifacts, puzzles and side quests, they can be highly valuable during both the early and late game. A precious source of refined ores for the starting base and, apart from the rare find in very deep caves, almost exclusively the only place where to obtain space debris artifacts.

Most of these discoveries can be moved with the recourse of winches.

Large White Cylindrical Satellite Piece
The large white cylindrical spacecraft always contains a Rover Seat and 4 resources. These are attached to a central beam within the spacecraft, accessible through a large hole in the side. The resources range from common to rare. Commonly, 1-2 Artifacts are scattered around the crash site, partially buried in the ground. It broadcasts a radio signal with a barely audible morse code message.

Wrecked Solar Arrays
For the full article, see Wrecked Solar Array.

The Wrecked Solar Arrays are Space Objects that consist of a single large solar panel and a connection point. The solar panel is one-sided and if facing the sun generates power which can be drawn into a vehicle. It can be moved by the player or a Vehicle with a Winch. See Wrecked Solar Array for more information.

Broken Solar Arrays
A broken solar array can be found partially or completely buried. This one does not have attachment slots to provide power.

Crashed Lander
The Crashed Pod is small compared to other space objects, making it much harder to spot. It is a single pod with 3 attachment points inside containing resources ranging from common to rare. Commonly, 1-2 Artifacts are scattered around the crash site, partially buried in the ground.

Satellite Piece Wrecks
Some other variation of the satellite wrecks, this object contains a random amount of resource (somewhere between 3 and 8) and may sometimes spawn a Rover Seat.

Complete Wrecked Space Station
A complete assemblage of the various Satellites found across the game. It contains 1 artifact, and 4 resources attached to a central plate in the middle of the craft. Entrance was gained from both ends to acquire all items. The satellite could not be moved even when using multiple winches, but was able to be lifted to the surface using the terrain tool. A Hydrazine Thruster was able to be attached to the interior, but did nothing even with 3 hydrazine canisters attached. These can also be destroyed with Dynamites. Screenshots are attached as reference.

Historical Probes
Objects designed after historic probes. They can be dragged around (except the Hubble Space Telescope) with a Winch

Hubble Space Telescope
Can be found underground, partially or completely buried. It is a puzzle, for information on how to solve it, see the Satellite page. The reward is a unit of Lithium once the puzzle is completed.

Kepler Space Observatory
Can be found underground, partially or completely buried. Contains an Artifact. Emits a constant modulated tone.

Mariner 10
Can be found underground, partially or completely buried. Contains an Artifact. Emits a constant modulated hum.

New Horizons
Can be found underground, partially or completely buried.

Sputnik
Can be found underground, partially or completely buried. Emits a constant modulated tone.

Voyager
Can be found underground, partially or completely buried. When your volume is turned up you can hear the secret Paul i miss you Easter egg ( the message is a tribute to one of the Astroneer developers: Paul Pepera, who died during the development of Astroneer.) the message can be heard here (the message says: "Paul I miss you. You were a true friend, and I'm a better person having known you. I'm so sad you're gone. See you among the stars.")

Dead Explorer
Occasionally in caves, you will come across a dead explorer. Most of the time you will only see the backpack on the surface while the body is below it. The backpack always has resources ranging from common to rare. The Backpack is also likely to have Batteries, Oxygen Tanks, Fireworks and Dynamite attached to it.

The backpack had an old model, suggesting he might have died before the new backpack was made.

Giant Bones
A complete and a partial ribcage, as well as a jaw bone containing Artifacts, can all be found both above and underground.

Solid-Fuel Thruster
For the full article, see Solid-Fuel Thruster.

Found deep in caves, the Solid-Fuel Thruster can be mounted on the back of a Medium Rover or Large Rover and reportedly provides noticeable thrust when driving up steep slopes. It has one use when activated, and requires no fuel. When it depletes it will be broken and good for use in the Large Shredder.

Marbles
For the full article, see Marbles.

Puzzling black and white objects with varying patterns that can be found half-buried deep in the caves. They emit a faint glow and can be picked up and mounted on double slots. Until version 119 only a single one of the orbs, the Zebra Ball, spawned in the world. Since then 2 other have been introduced: one with a polka dot pattern and another with a checkered pattern.

Debris
A variety of small wreckage can be found around Spacecraft. Some of them can be mounted on double slots or even the player's backpack. The Debris can be put in a Medium Shredder or Large Shredder, becoming Scrap. You can trade Scrap with the Trade Platform.

Resource Drop Pod
The Resource Drop Pods generate randomly around your spawn area and throughout the Terran planet. They will always contain two resources, one common and one rare. When you first approach a resource pod it will appear as many white spheres stacked in a triangular-pyramid. Once you're close enough, the top two layers will pop off and the resources within will be revealed.

Broken Research Catalog
A broken Research Catalog was added before to tease its fixed counterpart's arrival.

Broken Rover
A broken Medium Rover. This wreckage cannot be shredded.