6,500 Gamers Launch 3-Month Trip Across the Milky Way

While NASA plans its return to the moon, thousands of space enthusiasts are already exploring the galaxy from their gaming chairs.

More than 6,500 players of Elite Dangerous just launched Distant Worlds 3, a community-organized expedition to explore the farthest reaches of a fully realized Milky Way galaxy. The journey will take about three months of real time, with participants conducting geology projects, mining goals, mapping surveys, and collaborative science experiments along the way.

This marks the third expedition of its kind. The first Distant Worlds mission in 2016 attracted 1,300 brave pilots, while the 2019 sequel drew nearly 14,000 explorers. That second expedition ended with players constructing an entire space station called Explorer's Anchorage near the supermassive black hole at our galaxy's center.

Elite Dangerous recreates the Milky Way at 1:1 scale, giving players a staggering 400 billion star systems to explore. The game launched in 2014 and has grown to include planetary landings, alien encounters, and deep space mysteries waiting to be solved.

Video footage from the launch shows hundreds of ships jumping to faster-than-light speed in perfect unison, a sight that captures the collaborative spirit driving this massive undertaking. New pilots and veteran commanders alike are supporting each other through the challenges of deep space travel.

The Ripple Effect

This expedition showcases how online games can foster genuine exploration and scientific curiosity. Instead of just racing to objectives or competing for points, these players are embracing the patience and wonder that drive real space missions.

They're building lasting friendships across continents while charting unknown star systems. Some are documenting rare astronomical phenomena, others are testing the limits of their ships in extreme conditions, and many are simply enjoying the shared experience of discovering what lies beyond the next jump.

"It's always a very special moment seeing a Distant World expedition depart," says Gauthier Verquerre, Executive Producer on Elite Dangerous. "You get such a fantastic mix of newer players and seasoned explorers, and the support which they lend each other is wonderful to see."

The expedition has already departed, but latecomers can still catch up and join the fleet for what promises to be an unforgettable journey through the stars.