
Fuel scooping is an automatic process that can only be performed by certain star types, such as ABFGKMO stars, also known as KGB FOAM. The rate of fuel gain depends on the quality and size of the scoop and the proximity to the star. A larger fuel scoop will allow for faster fuel harvesting, but it is not mandatory to have the biggest scoop possible. The process can be dangerous as the ship may suffer heat fatigue and potential destruction if it gets too close to the star. To avoid this, it is recommended to maintain a safe distance from the star and monitor the temperature gauge to prevent overheating.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel scooping process | Automatic when the fuel scoop is active |
| Fuel source | Certain star types, including ABFGKMO stars |
| Factors affecting fuel gain | Quality and size of the scoop, proximity to the star |
| Fuel scoop indicator | Dedicated HUD showing ship's heat status and fuel collection rate |
| Fuel gauge | Two lines - thin light line and thicker line; thick line indicates the fuel tank |
| Fuel scooping speed | 10-12/s for entry-level scoop, higher for larger scoops |
| Fuel scooping technique | Skimming stones across a pond, maintaining a safe distance from the star |
| Fuel scooping hazards | Heat fatigue, potential ship destruction, hull damage |
| Fuel scoop types | First Fuel Scoop, 3A fuel scoop, 6A fuel scoop |
| Fuel scoop size | Larger scoops are preferred for faster refuelling, but smaller scoops can also work |
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What You'll Learn
- Fuel scooping rate: 10-12/s is entry-level, 10-15/s is optimal
- Fuel scooping process: automatic, but requires certain star types
- Fuel scoop types: bigger scoops faster, but smaller ones are cheaper
- Fuel scoop activation: activate at skimming speed, outside the star's safe zone
- Fuel scoop dangers: overheating, hull damage, and potential destruction

Fuel scooping rate: 10-12/s is entry-level, 10-15/s is optimal
Fuel scooping is an automatic process when the fuel scoop is active. However, only certain types of stars can provide fuel for scooping. The rate of fuel gain depends on the quality and size of the scoop and the proximity to the star.
A fuel scoop is an optional internal module that automatically refills a ship's fuel reserves when the ship is flying in supercruise near a star that produces hydrogen. It is an essential device for explorers as it allows ships to refuel without docking and travel to regions where no stations exist.
A fuel scooping rate of 10-12/s is considered entry-level, while 10-15/s is optimal. The rate can be increased by moving closer to the star, but this may cause the ship to overheat and suffer damage. It is important to maintain a balance between fuel intake and heat levels.
To achieve an optimal fuel scooping rate, it is recommended to approach the star at a slow supercruise speed of about 0.1c. Aim just outside the star's yellow "safe distance" outline and fly towards it. Once the scoop is activated, slow down to a minimum speed of 30km/s. Maintaining this speed, you can adjust your distance from the star to optimize the fuel scooping rate while managing heat levels.
Different ships have different optimal scooping rates and heat tolerances. For example, the Anaconda can handle a higher fuel scooping rate but may start to smoke at temperatures above 70 degrees. On the other hand, the DBX has excellent heat management and can get closer to stars without overheating.
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Fuel scooping process: automatic, but requires certain star types
Fuel scooping is an automatic process, but it requires certain star types to be able to collect fuel. It is an optional internal module that replenishes a ship's fuel reserves when the ship is flying in supercruise and in close proximity to a star that produces hydrogen.
The rate of fuel gain depends on the quality and size of the scoop and the proximity to the star. Larger and higher-quality fuel scoops allow for faster fuel harvesting. The fuel scooping rate can be monitored, and if it is increasing, the ship is getting closer to the star; if it is decreasing, the ship is getting further away. This allows the pilot to fine-tune their distance from the star and maintain a fairly constant level of heat. A fuel scooping rate of 10-12/s is considered respectable for an entry-level scoop, while higher-class scoops can achieve much higher rates.
It is important to be mindful of the heat levels during the fuel scooping process. The ship can suffer heat fatigue and potential destruction if it remains too close to a star. To avoid overheating, pilots can adjust their speed and angle against the star to maintain heat levels below 100%. It is recommended to aim for a fuel scooping rate of 8-10/s to keep heat levels low. Once the fuel scooping is complete, the pilot should point directly away from the star and move out at full throttle to reach a safe distance.
Some stars are better suited for fuel scooping than others. The general rule is that yellow or orange stars are ideal for scooping fuel. Stars that can be fuel-scooped are typically remembered by the acronyms KGB FOAM or OH BE A FINE GIRL, KISS ME. It is important to identify fuel-producing stars and avoid systems without them to prevent becoming stranded.
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Fuel scoop types: bigger scoops faster, but smaller ones are cheaper
Fuel scooping is an automatic process that can be used to refill a ship's fuel tank when flying in supercruise in close proximity to a star that produces hydrogen. The rate of fuel gain depends on the quality and size of the scoop and the proximity to the star. Larger and higher-quality fuel scoops allow for faster fuel harvesting, but they are more expensive. For example, a 6A fuel scoop will refill a 32-ton fuel tank in about 32 seconds, while a smaller 4C scoop will take about 90 seconds to do the same.
The proximity to the star is also a critical factor in determining the fuel scooping rate. The closer the ship gets to the star, the more fuel it can receive. However, staying too close to a star can cause the ship to overheat and suffer hull and module damage, or even force the ship out of supercruise. Therefore, it is essential to maintain a balance between proximity to the star and heat management. Some ships, like the DBX, have small sizes and good heat management, making them ideal for fuel scooping.
To optimize fuel scooping, pilots should aim to find a balance between proximity to the star and heat management. One technique is to approach the star at a slow supercruise speed of about 0.1c and maintain a distance just outside the star's yellow "safe distance" outline. Once the scoop activates, slow down to a minimum speed of 30km/s and adjust the distance to maintain a constant temperature. It is also important to identify fuel-producing stars and avoid systems without them.
While fuel scooping is a useful skill, it is important to note that not all star types are scoopable, and some may result in excessive heat gain. The general rule is that yellow or orange stars are ideal for fuel scooping. Additionally, the fuel scooping process can be dangerous, and it is recommended to seek advice from veteran pilots to avoid potential hazards.
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Fuel scoop activation: activate at skimming speed, outside the star's safe zone
Fuel scooping is an automatic process when the fuel scoop is active. However, only certain star types can provide fuel to be scooped. The rate of fuel gain depends on the quality and size of the scoop and the proximity to the star. It is important to note that remaining close to a star can cause your ship to suffer heat fatigue and potential destruction.
To activate your fuel scoop, approach the star at a slow supercruise speed of about 0.1c. Aim just outside the star's yellow "safe distance" outline and fly towards it. Once your fuel scoop activates, slow down to a minimum speed of 30km/s. You can increase the collection rate by moving closer to the star, but be cautious as the heat can climb very rapidly. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge and maintain a balance between the heat and intake levels.
A good indicator of your proximity to the star is the fuel scooping rate. If it is increasing, you are getting closer to the star, and if it is dropping, you are moving away. This allows you to fine-tune your distance from the star and manage the heat levels. It is recommended to scoop fuel at a speed lower than the maximum to avoid overheating.
Additionally, certain techniques can help minimise the possibility of heat damage. One such technique is to imagine you are skimming stones across a pond. Aim outside the edge of the star and slowly accelerate. A ring, known as the "Impact Ring," will appear outside the star. Avoid flying inside this ring as it will cause you to drop out of supercruise and take heat damage. Maintain a constant speed at a distance from the ring equal to the distance from the edge of the star to the inside of the ring. After a few seconds, the fuel scoop will activate automatically, and you will receive a "Fuel Scooping" voice message along with relevant HUD displays.
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Fuel scoop dangers: overheating, hull damage, and potential destruction
Fuel scooping is an automatic process that can be used to replenish a ship's fuel reserves when flying in supercruise in close proximity to a star that produces hydrogen. However, it is important to be aware of the potential dangers associated with fuel scooping, including overheating, hull damage, and even potential destruction.
One of the main dangers of fuel scooping is overheating. Stars are extremely hot, and approaching too closely or remaining too close to a star can cause a ship to suffer heat fatigue and potential destruction. It is important to manage the distance from the star and maintain a safe speed to avoid overheating. Flying too close to the star or spending too much time in the star's corona can easily overheat a ship, leading to hull damage or even destruction.
To avoid overheating, it is recommended to approach the star at a slow supercruise speed and maintain a safe distance. Some players suggest aiming just outside the star's yellow "safe distance" outline and then slowing down to a minimum speed of about 30km/s once the fuel scoop activates. It is also important to monitor the ship's heat status and adjust the distance or speed accordingly.
Another danger of fuel scooping is the potential for hull damage. If a ship overheats, it can suffer hull damage, which can compromise the integrity of the vessel. In addition, fuel scooping near certain types of stars, such as neutron stars and white dwarfs, can be significantly more dangerous and may require additional precautions.
In some cases, fuel scooping may even lead to the potential destruction of the ship. If a ship overheats severely or remains too close to a star for too long, it can suffer catastrophic damage and be destroyed. Therefore, it is crucial to pay attention to the ship's heat status and take appropriate measures to cool down if necessary.
To minimize the risks associated with fuel scooping, it is recommended to have a heat sink launcher module installed and to prioritize thermal management when outfitting the ship. Upgrading to a larger and higher-quality fuel scoop can also help, as it allows for faster fuel harvesting and reduces the time spent in the star's corona. Additionally, ensuring a sufficient fuel scooping rate per second can help prevent fuel failure, which is one of the greatest dangers in exploration.
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Frequently asked questions
Fuel scooping is an automatic process when the fuel scoop is active. You can only scoop fuel from certain star types, and the rate of fuel gain depends on the quality and size of the scoop and the proximity to the star. To fill a fuel scoop, approach the star at a slow supercruise speed, then throttle down to zero.
The best stars for fuel scooping are yellow or orange stars. You can remember the scoopable star types with the mnemonic "KGB FOAM" or "KFOG BAM". These stand for the star types that can be scooped: ABFGKMO.
You can keep an eye on the fuel scooping rate—if it's increasing, you're getting closer to the star. If your heat level reaches 100%, you will start to take damage. If you reach 150% heat, you will definitely suffer damage.
This depends on the size of your tank and the size of your scoop. Smaller scoops will take longer to fill up your tank. It is not uncommon for it to take several minutes to fill up.
You can purchase a fuel scoop from stations with an Industrial or High Tech economy. Go to Outfitting > Optional Internals > Fuel Scoop.











































