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 secondary 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 compromised if not outright destroyed by the energy pulse; most of the port side lifepods that did launch (pods 1 to 25) were compromised except for Lifepod 5, which contained Ryley Robinson, and Lifepod 4, though it was heavily damaged when a Reaper Leviathan tried to eat it and possibly caused it to eventually become overturned, and other Lifepods whos occupants met other fates. 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, resulting 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. After the Aurora's Drive Core explodes, the ship's wreckage is surrounded by Radiation and is unapproachable without a Radiation Suit. While quite dangerous and far out, the player can visit the Aurora early in-game before it explodes, although multiple tools are needed to properly explore the ship.

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.

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
Over several in-game days, the PDA informs the Player on the condition of the degradation of The Aurora's engine, 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 explore 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 negate the radiation damage. Upon entry, the PDA warns that creatures around the Aurora contain traces of human tissue inside their digestive systems, indicating all bodies were consumed by Bleeders and Cave Crawlers. Also, fire and falling debris can injure the Player, and periodic shaking of the hull occurs. Further dangers are posed by the Reaper Leviathans that spawn around the ship, Cave Crawlers that litter the entrance area of the ship, and Bleeders in the underwater sections within the Aurora.

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 (required to approach the Aurora)
 * Stasis Rifle, for self-defense from Cave Crawlers, Bleeders, and possibly Reaper Leviathans.
 * Repair Tool, for repairing the Drive Room and mending broken doors.
 * Propulsion Cannon, for removing crate barriers at both the main hallway and Laboratory entrance, and to remove the Bleeders from the player's arms. A Repulsion Cannon is also a viable tool for removing crates and barriers. They could also be used for self-defense against Cave Crawlers and bleeders.
 * Fire Extinguisher, for various fires (some can be found on site)
 * Laser Cutter, for entering various rooms including the Prawn Suit Bay and Aurora Black Box Terminal.
 * A Seaglide for quick navigation through the submerged sections.
 * A Survival Knife / Thermoblade to kill the Bleeders.
 * A Grav Trap can be used quickly to contain the Bleeders in the Drive Room.
 * A Vehicle, preferably a Seamoth to travel to 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.

There are two routes to the inside of the ship. The first is on the right side of the shore area of the torn upfront section and constitutes an entryway 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 requires going up a ramp in the torn upfront section of the Aurora, the Player can enter a corridor that leads inside the ship. On the way up, the user can find several Supply Crates with crafted items inside of them. The door leading to the T-section is partially blocked off by a fire. Fortunately, a few Fire Extinguishers are lying around, which can come in handy. When the Player enters, there will be a sign to the left that says Airlock.

To the right of the T-section, there is a door that is blocked off by a fire. The left corridor leads to the "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 3
Down the left corridor, there is rubble blocking the entrance to Cargo Bay 3. Before this, 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 entrance. These can be gotten around dropping down from above or by using the Propulsion Cannon or Repulsion Cannon to move these out of the way. Alternatively, the player can jump and sprint from the slope to the first large cargo container, 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. There is then 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 containers, 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 containers

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

Following the ramp down reveals an underwater section that leads to a T-corridor. To the left, there will be a Sealed Door. To the right, there is a room called the "Seamoth Bay".

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 has a Seamoth Depth Module MK1 Upgrade Module and an Abandoned PDA called "VR Suite Log".

Locker Room
Cutting through the Sealed Door 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 Suit 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 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, 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.

Backtrack to the T-corridor from earlier, and this time, go straight. This will lead to the Drive Room.

Drive Room
Inside the Drive Room are four large generators. They are connected by catwalks, though some are underwater and heavily damaged. The generators are covered in breaches, and the Player's objective is to repair all eleven of them using the Repair Tool, however, it should be noted that 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 generator 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 generators.

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

 * 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.
 * On a phone number pad, the third letter for each number of the code to the captain's quarters door “2679” spells out “Cory”. This is about Subnautica's art director Cory Strader.
 * The Aurora is considered a separate biome.
 * No one knows what the Crash Zone looked like before the Aurora crashed there.
 * Aurora was the name of one of the two ships tasked with the Imperial Trans-Antarctic expedition.
 * 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.
 * In some of the oldest builds of the game the Aurora was actually two-dimensional, This was changed during the Early Access launch of the game.
 * 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.

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