 Starflight has 270 star systems , each containing from zero to eight planets for a total of 800 . All star systems can be entered and all planets landed on , though this destroys the ship if the gravity is greater than 8 @.@ 0 g . The science officer can scan and analyze the planet for information about it , including its temperature , gravity , and chemical composition . When a landing is ordered , a Mercator projection map shows the topography of each planet , as well as a cursor to select a landing point . Once the ship lands , a Terrain Vehicle can be deployed to drive across the terrain , which is periodically scanned for new information , in search of minerals , lifeforms , and alien ruins . As is the case in outer space , a heads @-@ up display monitors the Terrain Vehicle 's status . 
