Exploration - steps to pre-colonization

This topic covers the steps necessary for colonization.<div>We have already discussed the motivations here &lt;&lt;node,4942&gt;&gt;</div><div><br /></div><div>Motivations precede exploration - there has to be a reason.</div><div>In my opinion there are two types of exploration; </div><div><ul><li>seeking habitable areas</li><li>seeking resources - a habitable area is not required</li></ul><div>You need an appropriate vessel for the task. Resource mining for instance requires a geological team and spatial/astrogation team. A vessel would need sensors to scan asteroids or moons and digger shuttles to take samples. Habitable areas would need a larger vessel in order to take along lander modules, vehicles (prob arial) and a complete science center including but not limited to biology, chemistry, etc. </div></div>