Each packet starts the game in orbit around Terra, Luna, Sol, Venus or Mercury. Sol and the planets may not be attacked. Map Changes Mars does not exist at all. Jupiter and its moons exist and have gravity. Sol and the inner planets exist normally for game purposes, though they do not represent separate bodies.
All units begin the game undetected.
An Imperial unit is detected when it first moves, or when a packet comes within three hexes of it. A packet is detected when it first burns fuel afterleaving orbit, or when it comes within 3 hexes of an Imperial ship or base. Dummies do not detect. Detection occurs at the end of movement, but before combat. Overloads, Refueling, and Repair Packets may undergo one overload maneuver, and then require minor maintenance.