How to use sensor buoys

[Zeebie (OP)]

I'm trying to place a sensor buoy on a jump point to watch for incoming ships. Here's the missile:

Size 5 Sensor Buoy (16)  Speed: 6 400 km/s   End: 2m    Range: 0.8m km   WH: 0    Size: 5    TH: 21 / 12 / 6

I load one into my ship's launcher, and use the "Fire missile at Jump Point" command in the Task Force screen.  The missile launches, then I receive this message over and over:

Size 5 Sensor Buoy cannot find its target.  It will home on the previous target location and use onboard sensors to search for a new target.

I have tried this with the launching ship right on the jump point and some distance away. What am I doing wrong?

[alex_brunius]

Have you tried the "Msl Launch" button in the Task Group (F12) screen?


I only successfully launched sensor buoys without propulsion though...

[Anamori]

 Two-staged desing with engines and fuel at first and sensor only at second should work - if you can't launch(or rather throw out) directly at point where you want it. 

 So just design your buoy - sensors/reactor only.   Research it.   If you can drop it directly, nothing more needed.   Else, make another missile design, with hi-effecient engine and enought fuel.   And put 1 buoy what you designed earlier as an second stage.   Should work. 

 Missile with engine(/s) will never become an buoy it will be.  .  .   emm.  .  .   Missile. 

[Zeebie (OP)]

It was indeed the engine, thanks everyone.

[Jorgen_CAB]

One other tip if you want to maximize the buoy is to not use any engine at all. I usually design my sensor buoys for JP duty without engines and just tell my ships to go and drop them of at the JP. I use my buoys and sensor and communication devices in my RP efforts, on on each side of a JP is good and give me an imaginary unbroken line of communication through out my empire. This way I can stake my claim on systems and keep tabs on who enters and leave and react with military force as needed.