Aurora

The Aurora was a brand-new Alterra Long-Range Capital Ship (and possibly the first of its class) sent to the Ariadne Arm by the Alterra Corporation to build a phasegate. Its auxiliary mission, unknown to most of the crew, was an agreement made with the Mongolian Independent States to search for and possibly rescue the survivors of the Degasi crew. It was thought that the ship's advanced scanning suite, superior to any ship that had previously made a search effort, would have better luck in finding the crew, or finally confirm whatever fate had befallen them.

During a gravity slingshot maneuver around Planet 4546B, the Quarantine Enforcement Platform struck the Aurora with an energy pulse on the starboard (right) side, resulting in catastrophic hull failure and leading to it crash landing on the surface of the planet. All the starboard Lifepods were damaged, if not outright destroyed by the energy pulse; most of the port side lifepods that did launch (pods 1 to 25), after landing, were either compromised or otherwise perished to the hostile ecosystem. The only exception is Lifepod 5, which contained Ryley Robinson. Moments after Lifepod 5 launched, Ryley heard the enforcement platform fire and witnessed a second energy pulse strike the already crippled ship.

Upon crashing, the Aurora plowed into the terrain, unearthing it and leaving small sand hills around the ship. The crash and subsequent explosion resulted in huge quantities of Metal Salvage and Supply Crates being dispersed within the vicinity of the ship, providing useful materials such as Food & Water, batteries, and Titanium. Multiple Reaper Leviathans patrol the crash site.

By the time the player awakens and begins his exploration of the area, all of the other Lifepods have been destroyed and their occupants have vanished. The Aurora's Drive Core explodes a few days later, blowing a massive hole in the bow of the ship and consequently inundating the crash site with Radiation. Entering without a Radiation Suit is impossible until the Drive Room is repaired; furthermore, multiple tools are needed to thoroughly explore the ship's many sections. The Aurora's interior is inaccessible until post-detonation.

The Aurora is located on the far eastern edge of the map, with its bow facing north and its stern facing south. It is visible from the surface nearly anywhere on the map, making it a useful landmark, especially if the player lacks a compass. The ship is approximately 1,280 meters long from nose to thrusters. Including parts normally hidden by the terrain, it stands to be about 500 meters tall.

Of all crew members on board the Aurora, the only known survivor was Ryley Robinson, who later managed to escape the planet. Alterra later admitted the ship's loss and informed about the rescue of its "survivors", but censored any details about how the ship had crashed and why.

PDA Speech
The PDA reports Aurora's state and information about the environment to the player as they survive. During the exploration of the Aurora, it will explain the state of the ship around you.

Aurora Exploration
The PDA updates the player on the condition of the Aurora's drive core degradation throughout the course of several in-game days, up until its eventual explosion.

The explosion is focused towards the front section of the ship. The player can be killed by the explosion if in the crash zone biome when the event occurs.

Only after the explosion is the player able to venture inside the Aurora, but if they are not equipped with a radiation suit they will suffer damage over time. All three parts of the suit must be equipped to completely negate the radiation damage. Upon entering the Aurora, the player is forewarned by the PDA that nearby creatures contain traces of human tissue in their digestive tracts, indicating that some/all of the bodies have been devoured by Bleeders and Cave Crawlers. Also, fire and falling debris can injure the player, and the ship periodically shakes, causing disorientation. Reaper Leviathans that spawn around the Aurora, Cave Crawlers that swarm the ship's entry, and Bleeders in the flooded areas all present additional threats.

For avoiding the Reapers, there is usually one patrolling between the basin West of the Aurora, and the deep chasm beneath its bow. A Seamoth can safely sneak past by approaching from the Safe Shallows nearest to the Aurora and hugging Aurora's side, until reaching a gap large enough for the Seamoth to squeeze through. It is recommended to disembark in shallow water so that the ramp beneath you will protect you from a Reaper attack, though the Reaper doesn't normally swim that close to the entrance.

The following equipment is recommended and/or required for exploring the Aurora:
 * Radiation Suit is required to approach the Aurora without damage.
 * Stasis Rifle, recommended for self-defense against Cave Crawlers, Bleeders, and possibly Reaper Leviathans.
 * Repair Tool is required for repairing the Drive Room and mending broken doors.
 * Propulsion Cannon / Repulsion Cannon, for removing crate barriers at both the main hallway and Laboratory entrance. The former can remove the Bleeders from the player's arms.
 * Fire Extinguisher, for various fires (some can be found on site)
 * Laser Cutter, required for entering various rooms including the Prawn Bay and Aurora Black Box Terminal.
 * Seaglide for quick navigation through the submerged sections.
 * Survival Knife / Thermoblade to kill the Bleeders.
 * Grav Trap can be used quickly to contain the Bleeders in the Drive Room.
 * Vehicle, preferably a Seamoth to travel to the Aurora.

It's not possible to build a Seabase inside the Aurora; Base Pieces cannot be placed anywhere inside the ship, even if there's room. By extension, no interior modules can be placed either. It is possible to place Exterior Modules in the Aurora, notably the Exterior Growbed. A Seabase can be built right next to the Aurora with no problem, though the high number of reaper leviathans nearby make this a highly perilous task.

There are two routes to the inside of the ship. The first route is on the right side of the shore area of the torn upfront section and constitutes a doorway behind a Floodlight blocked off by various crates. Behind the crates are a Fire Extinguisher and a fire to put out, after which the player will find themselves in the Laboratory. The second route requires going up a ramp in the torn upfront section of the Aurora. On the way up, the player can find several Supply Crates with crafted items inside of them. The doorway leading to the T-section is partially blocked off by a fire. Fortunately, a Fire Extinguisher can be found on the floor several meters away from the doorway. When the player enters, there will be a sign to the left that reads "Airlock".

To the right of the T-section, there is a door that is blocked off by a fire. The left corridor leads to "Cargo Bay 3". The right door leads to "Administration". These rooms are indicated by signs on the Aurora itself.

Administration Office
The Administration Office has a Data Terminal with a downloadable log titled "Alterra Launches the Aurora". The office also contains shelves, a Desk, and a Prawn Suit Poster - Land which can be taken. It also contains an Abandoned PDA with a Data Download under the headline "Notes to self", which will give the player the code "1454". You can also collect batteries on the shelf behind the main desk.

Cargo Bay
The flooring of the hallway leading to "Cargo Bay 3" is collapsed, forcing the player to head down into the exposed hallway below. The player can find an Abandoned PDA named "Aurora Engineering Drone - Log" next to a single Propulsion Cannon Fragment, right at the start of the ramp leading to the hallway. The blockage can be gotten around by dropping down from above from the collapsed hallway floor or by using the Propulsion Cannon or Repulsion Cannon to move the Cargo Crates out of the way. Alternatively, the player can jump and sprint from the slope to the first large Cargo Crate, and then from there to the top of the pile. Note that in doing so, there is a fire that cannot be put out; it must simply be avoided.

At the end of the hallway is a locked door with a keypad that can be interacted with. Entering the code from the previously mentioned Data Download into the keypad will open the door. The code is 1454. Alternatively, you can unlock the door without using a code from the other side. The cargo bay is a large area full of Cargo Crates, Supply Crates, forklifts, and a few other miscellaneous things. Very rarely, up to three Cyclops Engine Fragments can appear inside some of the large Cargo Crates.

Even though the number of this cargo bay is unknown, the number on the large blast doors suggest it could be Cargo Bay 4.

There is an inclined cargo elevator in the cargo bay, which is stuck halfway. Close to it, there's an Abandoned PDA named "".

Following the cargo elevator downwards reveals a flooded quad-junction hallway which gives access to the Seamoth Bay, Drive Room and Locker Room.

Seamoth Bay
The door to this room is locked, but there is a damaged panel which the Repair Tool can repair. When this panel is repaired, the door is unlocked, and the player can enter. The Seamoth Bay contains two pieces of a damaged Seamoth, which can be scanned. It also houses a Seamoth Depth Module MK1 Upgrade Module and an Abandoned PDA called "VR Suite Log".

Drive Room
The Drive Room contains the ship's drive core which is comprised of four large reactors. They are connected by catwalks, though some are underwater and heavily damaged. The reactors are covered in breaches, and the player's objective is to repair all eleven of them using the Repair Tool. However, the flooded part of the drive core, where most repairs need to be done, is full of Bleeders. Repairing the breaches removes the radiation entirely after three in-game days.

When entering the Drive Room, the PDA warns the player that radiation is at its maximum tolerable level (which would be the Radiation Suit's guaranteed maximum rating, radiation fluxes of 400 sieverts per hour).

The Cyclops Engine Efficiency Module for the Cyclops can also be found in the Drive Room, sticking out from the upgrade console at the center of the room. Bleeders can also be found in the water around the reactors.

Locker Room
Cutting through the Sealed Door in the quad-junction hallway will lead the player into a locker room. Some of the lockers are open and have loot inside, like batteries, first-aid kits, and water. There is an Abandoned PDA with a Data Download titled "Sweet Offer". It will give the player the code "1869", required for Cabin 1 in the Living Quarters.

Prawn Bay
Leaving the locker room, there will be a sign labeled "Prawn Bay". This is the location where the Prawn Suit Fragments will be found. The door to this room is locked, and like before, has a panel that needs to be repaired. Once the door is unlocked the player can proceed into the room. This room has multiple damaged Prawn Suits hanging from the ceiling, presumably waiting to be deployed. To the right is a pile of rubble with broken Prawn Suit Fragments and other miscellaneous things piled on top of each other. The fragments may require nearby fires to be put out to be scanned. Among the rubble is a Storage Module, located on an upgrade console. Next to that is a ramp blocked off by fire and rubble. Once those are cleared, there is a door that leads to the "Living Quarters".

In the water is a large system of pipes and wires. In the system of wires is a hole where one can swim through to enter the room containing Aurora's black box data. Heading north through a doorway will lead to the Laboratory, however, one must use a Laser Cutter to open a door to enter.

Laboratory
Coming from the Aurora entrance: Remove the crates blocking the doorway using the Propulsion Cannon, then follow the hallway until there is a fire. On the right lies a fire extinguisher which is useful for putting out the aforementioned fire. Continue until a submerged room is reached.

Coming through the Prawn Suit Bay: Go underwater at the far left corner from the entrance to the Bay to find a tunnel leading to the lab. A room before the actual laboratory contains a Data Terminal with a Data Download titled "Aurora Black Box Data". There also is a Supply Crate containing a Battery in front of a locked door that requires the Laser Cutter. Behind it is the actual laboratory.

A nearby Abandoned PDA has a Data Download titled "Lab Access" containing the code, 6483, for the two nearby doors. These grant access to the storage room, where three Large Sample Flasks can be found, one Cylindrical Sample Flask, a Microscope, and a Sample Analyzer. The two Supply Crates contain Disinfected Water and there's a Data Terminal that states it de-corrupted the player's PDA and unlocks the Repulsion Cannon. On a Counter close to the terminal, there's also an Abandoned PDA named "What Can We Learn From the Hive Mind of Strader VI?".

Living Quarters
The Living Quarters are various rooms that provided living conditions for the various crew and passengers on the ship. If the player goes right, there is a Supply room filled with Filtered Water and Nutrient Blocks. If the player goes left, there is a Canteen. Bar tables and chairs are lying on the ground, along with a few handy Supply Crates, a vending machine against the wall, a bar with single wall shelves, a fire extinguisher is on the wall behind the bar as well as a Keep Calm Poster, which can be taken. Sitting atop the bar is the Abandoned PDA named "Today's Menu."

At the front end of the corridor, there are cabins for the people on board. There are beds, posters, Carry-alls, and some Supply Crates.

To the left, you can find Cabins 1 through 3 and the Captain's Quarters. Cabin 1 is locked by a code, which is "1869", found in the Abandoned PDA named "Sweet Offer". In this room, a Blue Cap, Arcade Gorge Toy, and an Abandoned PDA, "Responsible Autonomous Relationships", can be found. Cabin 3 contains a Prawn Suit Poster - Land. Another locked door at the end of the hallway, Captain's Quarters, can be unlocked with the code "2679", which is received later in the game on the radio. Inside the room, there is an Aurora Miniature, an Aurora Poster, an Abandoned PDA titled "Captain's Log" on the bed, and a Data Terminal that contains a Data Download titled "Alterra HQ - Last Recorded Transmissions", that unlocks the Neptune Escape Rocket.

To the right, you can find Cabins 4 through 7. Cabin 4 contains an Abandoned PDA named "Relationship Contract Legal Recording" and the Prawn Suit Poster - Sea. Facing this room there is Cabin 7 and the doorway is blocked by fire, which you will need to put out to go through. There, you will find another Abandoned PDA, "Alterra Alms Pamphlet". Cabin 6 has a Natural Selection 2 Poster.

Mentioned Areas
The Aurora had a virtual cinema/theater, an anti-gravity gym, VR suites, a robotics bay, several airlocks, a scanner room, several leisure decks, and several canteens/cafés. It is possible that these areas were destroyed either when the Aurora crashed or during the drive core detonation, or simply inaccessible in Aurora's current state.

Data Terminals= Fauna= Fragments= Scannables= Other=
 * Neptune Escape Rocket
 * Repulsion Cannon
 * Bleeder
 * Cave Crawler
 * Reaper Leviathan
 * Cyclops Engine Fragment
 * Prawn Suit Fragment
 * Propulsion Cannon Fragment
 * Seamoth Fragment
 * Bar Table
 * Basic Double Bed
 * Bench
 * Command Chair
 * Counter
 * Desk
 * Floodlight
 * Single Bed
 * Single Wall Shelf
 * Swivel Chair
 * Trash Can
 * Vending Machine
 * Wall Shelves
 * Abandoned PDA
 * Arcade Gorge Toy
 * Aurora Miniature
 * Aurora Poster
 * Blue Cap
 * Carry-all
 * Cylindrical Sample Flask
 * Cyclops Engine Efficiency Module
 * Fire Extinguisher
 * Filtered Water
 * Flashlight
 * Keep Calm Poster
 * Large Sample Flask
 * Microscope
 * Natural Selection 2 Poster
 * Nutrient Block
 * Prawn Suit Poster - Land
 * Prawn Suit Poster - Sea
 * Sample Analyzer
 * Seamoth Depth Module MK1
 * Storage Module
 * Supply Crate
 * Battery
 * Disinfected Water
 * First Aid Kit
 * Nutrient Block
 * Power Cell

Data Bank Entries
Aurora Ship Status= Drive Core Shielding Breach=

Gallery
Exterior=

Trivia

 * In the prototype builds of the game, the Aurora was a flat, 2D image cut out from the Early Aurora Concept. It featured a much sleeker design with a smaller bridge at the top and front-facing windows.
 * Later into development, specifically in the early development build "Jiaolong", the Aurora changed to a different 2D image which featured the final design. It was in a unique position, similar to the prototype Aurora.
 * The next time the Aurora was seen, it was a 3D model, seen during the Early Access launch of the game. Two models, a non-damaged Aurora and a damaged Aurora, were both uploaded to the Trello. The non-damaged model never appears in game.
 * The original plot for the game involved the Aurora being a Habitation Vessel that was sent on a terraforming mission to 4546B before the arrival of colony ships.
 * In later builds, the Aurora was referred to as being a Mining Vessel that was on a three year exploratory mining operation.
 * The Aurora was changed again to be Long-Distance Vessel, and later a Long-Range Capital Ship, that was on a mission to build a phasegate. This remained the final plot of the Aurora in the Official Release of the game.
 * During the intro to the game, the player looks up out of Lifepod 5's top hatch to see the Aurora, just in time for a large explosion to emit from the side. This instance of the Aurora is not a 3D model but is a very large version of the Aurora Poster.
 * During the dialogue leading up to the explosion of the Aurora, it is said on Day 3 that the Aurora's Drive Core will cause a Quantum Detonation in two hours. However, this time is incorrect, as the trigger is a full day later. It is unknown why the trigger was kept at a full day whilst the dialogue was changed to reflect a two-hour timer.
 * The Aurora is considered a separate biome.
 * It is unknown what the Crash Zone looked like before the Aurora crashed.
 * In almost all open lockers within the Aurora, a small picture of an unknown woman can be found. The image is taken directly from the Player Concept Art.
 * Two unused variations exist, one of them showing another unnamed woman, and one showing the character that would eventually become Robin Ayou.
 * The Drive Core's reactors resemble some Cyclops parts, most noticeably the Decoy Loading Tube. The tops of the reactors also resemble giant Cyclops engines.
 * Aurora was the name of one of the two ships tasked with the Imperial Trans-Antarctic expedition.

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