Elite Dangerous: August Dev Log 2026

Greetings Commanders,

Welcome to August's Dev Log. In this month's post we'll be taking a deeper look at the Rhino, all things surface mining and a first look at the next Operation - Under Siege!

As always, our Dev Log is a first look at some of the upcoming content coming to Elite Dangerous, and interviews with the team behind the scenes. You can find out more across our website, social channels or by tuning into Elite Dangerous Partner Program content.

-- Dev Log Team

Rhino ready to roll out

Elite Dangerous welcomes its first new SRV since 2021 when the Rhino breaks new ground on the 2nd September. Take a look at the first in-game images of this behemoth.

Developed by Core Dynamics subsidiary, Vodel, the Rhino allows up to 3 Commanders to travel together and comes equipped with a Planetary Mineral Scanner, alongside suitable protection to defend your haul. By picking up the Rhino in ARX Early Access you'll get access to:

Rhino Surface Mining Vehicle
Mk II Large Planetary Vehicle Hangar and Planetary Mineral Scanner
Rhino Outfitting Unlock
Rhino Owners Club Decal

You can also choose to deck out Vodel's latest innovation with more cosmetic options by picking up the Stellar or Galactic editions.

The Rhino is deployed from the new large planetary vehicle hangar which is available on the following ships:

Alliance Crusader (Class 2-6)
Anaconda (Class 2-6)
Beluga Liner (Class 2-6)
Caspian Explorer (Class 2-6)
Federal Corvette (Class 2-6)
Federal Gunship (Class 2-6)
Imperial Cutter (Class 2-6)
Keelback (Class 2-4)
Krait Mk II (Class 2-6)
Panther Clipper Mk II (Class 2-6)
Type-9 Heavy (Class 2-6)
Type-10 Defender (Class 2-6)
Type-11 Prospector (Class 2-6)

For more information on the Rhino, check out our concept overview with Art Director Chris Gregory. You can also check out the Elite Partner Program as they get hands on with this new SRV from 11:00 BST on Friday 28 August*.

*Subject to Early Access Build Deployment times.

Surface Mining

The Rhino's primary function is to introduce Surface Mining, which is a new way to extract more material from a planetary surface. The Dev Log team caught up with Senior Game Designer Curtis Griffiths (CG), and Senior Producer Joseph Phillips (JP) to drill beneath this new mining methodology.

Surface Mining started out as part of a team discussion on how to expand SRV gameplay, following the Scorpion SRV introduced in 2021.

CG: "We wanted to expand the range of gameplay which Commanders had when it comes to SRVs, so following the more combat-focused Scorpion and the recon stylings of the Scarab, we knew mining was an avenue we could explore."

JP: "Commanders have already experienced collecting materials from a planets surface but we wanted to take that a step further and push it closer in alignment with how we treat our in-space mining. The Rhino provides us the perfect vehicle for this combining a larger cargo hold, a built in refinery and a new means of scanning for and extracting the resources from the planets surfaces while still having the torque to handle those steeper inclines and carry that additional weight around."

The Rhino has a built in scanner that detects planetary mining deposits, visibly marking the surface where mineral-rich deposits are buried. Similar to how the Nomad allows Commanders to get closer to organics, the team designed the Rhino to be best positioned for identifying and harvesting these resources.

JP: "Using the Rhino's scanner, you'll be able to identify patches of minerals whilst on the planetary surface. The scanner will mark these for you both on the planetary surface itself but also the sensors, allowing you and your crew to set up with ease."

Another new challenge presented by Surface Mining will be how Commanders consider the resource effect of their extractions. Whilst locations and quantities of materials will be generated across each planetary surface, once collected these deposits will regenerate at a very slow rate, meaning that the find of one resource rich system won't regularly deliver a high output.

CG: "I'm excited to see how players manage the limited resource element of Surface Mining. We'll undoubtedly see a bit of a rush for those resource-rich worlds, but Elite Dangerous players tend to share their favourite worlds for discovery, so will we see collective groups attempting to share knowledge, or will the allure of a great find mean that system is hidden away from public discussion?"

JP: "You might also have noticed that the one thing we haven't really spoken about here is actually how you collect from those deposits... That'll be one to check out with the Elite Partner Program! We enjoyed watching along as they discovered the Nomad, and we'll definitely be doing the same with the Rhino."

Make sure to tune in as the Elite Partner Program get hands on with the Rhino and discover Surface Mining for the first time from 11:00 BST on Friday 28th August*

*Subject to Early Access Build Deployment times.

Prepare to be Under Siege in the next Operation!

Following the launch of Operations in our last major update, the team are ready to reveal the first details on the next new Operation, landing for all players alongside the Rhino update.

Under Siege will task Commanders with responding to a distress call from a planetary settlement, where urgent help is required to help lift a blockade and neutralise enemy forces attempting to take the port.

This Operation will see a mix of in-ship and on-ground combat, as squads clear the skies before diving into a firefight within the planetary settlement's facilities. Once the dust has settled, and you've regained control, you'll need to scramble back to your ship to take on a larger threat...

Under Siege will be available for all players from 2nd September, alongside the Rhino update.

Other News

The Elite Dangerous website gets an upgrade

We've given the website a new coat of paint, and loaded it up with plenty of useful new information to help you get the very best out of your journey through the black.

If you're new to Elite Dangerous or returning after some time away, we've created the Elite Academy to help you get your bearings, packed full of useful information about the state of the galaxy.

The store has also had some much needed love and attention, with improvements making it easier to navigate, find the right products and purchase them for your account.

Galnet Recap

It's been a busy month of Galactic news.

24 August 3312 - Research Sheds New Light on Industrial Mining
- A widespread review of current surface mining techniques has been sparked by recently published research.
20 August 3312 - Colonia Celebrations Conclude with Megamarket Opening
- As anniversary celebrations begin to wind down, Colonia Council issued confirmation that a new megamarket has been established at Jaques Station.
6 August 3312 - Colonia Tenth Anniversary Celebrations Get Underway
- The festival marking the tenth anniversary of the founding of Colonia has begun in earnest.
30 July 3312 - Colonia Plans to Distribute Celebration Commodities
- With huge numbers of commodities transferred from Brewer Corporation’s megaship fleet to Jaques Station, preparations for the tenth anniversary are in full swing.

Nomad Internal Expedition Kit Pack