No Man’s Sky’s Orbital Update overhauled the game’s Space Stations, Satships, and the majority of its trading systems. Thanks to the Economy Scanner it added, you now stand to make a huge profit on trades.
The Orbital Update for No Man’s Sky brought with it one incredible new Starship Module you should definitely be using: The Economy Scanner. It allows you to scan the economies of every system in the galaxy to see where you stand to make the most Units from your trades. It’ll also point you to Market Surges, which is where the really big bucks are made. But to do any of this, you need to know how to get the Economy Scanner and how to use it.
How to get the Economy Scanner in No Man’s Sky
To get the Economy Scanner in No Man’s Sky, you first need to summon and visit The Anomaly. You can do this from any point in space via the in-game popup menu, the same one used for Photo Mode, summoning your Starship, and building. The Economy Scanner can be purchased here from the Starship Upgrades Blueprint vendor for 150 Nanites.
To build the Economy Scanner and install it in your Starship, you’ll need five Microprocessors and one Wiring Loom. I managed to pick these up from the local Space Station, but Microprocessors aren’t too challenging to craft if you’ve already got the materials. I wouldn’t bother crafting wiring Loom because it’s easier to buy them. You’ll need to fit all these resources into the Economy Scanner before you can use it.
How to use the Economy Scanner in No Man’s Sky
To use the Economy Scanner in No Man’s Sky, you’ll need to get into your Starship, hover over the Module, and then press the relevant button that will Activate Trade Computer. This effectively scans the galaxy for Market Surges and economies in general. Unless you’re searching for a Market Surge, there’s nothing more you need to do now. All system economies will be displayed in the Galaxy Map when you view it.
However, if you want to find a new Market Surge, you’ll need to perform this activation in the Economy Scanner again. I’ve found that you have to do it every time because Market Surges are time-limited events. If you want to make the most of them, you’ve got to find the current one and sell as many of your desirables as possible.
How to find a Market Surge in No Man’s Sky
To find a Market Surge in No Man’s Sky, you must first equip and use the Economy Scanner in your Starship. This will reveal the economy in the current system but should also find a Market Surge and point you to that system’s name. Next, open the Galaxy Map, and you should see the Market Surge marked with the Bag of Units icon.
The Galaxy Map will explain what the Market Surge is for, so you’ll need to have items that the system desires if you want to capitalize on it. You stand to make much more for your trades on the desired items in these systems while Market Surges are live. Be aware that Market Surges end after a couple of hours, though, so you must act quickly.
