Day and night cycles now show improved light/shadow simulation on the terrain. When the user lands on the surface, the Lander is placed there. Several "points of interest" boulders have been added throughout the landscape, and the user may drive to them. The user interface now shows meters traversed and battery life remaining. The battery usage is NOT simulated according to real time scale. There are three additional rock types. Up to date paragraphs and images have been added to the information text shown during the roving experience.

Because star systems contain so much data, it includes a powerful star system generator to help you fill out your map. With this generator it's possible to randomly create large areas of space - placing single and multiple star systems, nebula, and other stellar bodies on your sector map.

The built-in generator can also generate detailed solar system information for each star system. Generate planets , their moons, astroid belts, and other types of bodies. Generate extended planetary data - atmospheres, surface gravities, temperature, and more.

The AstroSynthesis generator isn't just a randomizer. It applies scientific principles during generation, taking into consideration matters of astronomy, physics, atmospheric chemistry, and planetary sciences during the generation process.

Suggestive subject for amateur astronomer's desktops.

A reasonable graphical accelerator card and DirectX support are required.

The images are generated based on the cloudless Earth databases created by the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center from the MODIS instrument onboard the Terra satellite. The image of the Earth by night is based on nine months of observation by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program. For further information and additional images, visit the NASA Earth Observatory site.