Deep Space Tracking Station Sensor

[Cinnius (OP)]

I was wondering how useful they were in replacing the sensors. If I wanted to create a defensive stations orbiting a planet with 50 or more tracking stations, would it still be necessary to add sensors or are those enough?

[Demonius]

I believe you still need active sensors for weapon targeting - DSTS Sensors are Heat/EM and can not be used for targeting, just for detection.

[Zincat]

What Demonius said, you need active sensors for targeting.

DSTs will tell you that something is there.
If you want to shoot at that something, you'll need active sensors to target them.

Mind you, they are still very useful, especially to provide system coverage (drop them in multiple places) or out of the way systems (to see what's going on) or for covert operations. They also provide you with useful info, like giving you an idea of engines, speed, shields. But they're not a substitute for active sensors, just a complement for them.

[Cinnius (OP)]

thanks for the info! i need to re-design my defensive station 

[Noble713]

Also keep in mind that the passive detection rules have changed, and it seems much harder to passively detect ships at massive ranges just by fielding gigantic sensors or dropping a stack of 10 DSTS on a single planetary body and seeing the whole system. Try to find asteroids near jump points for listening post sites, and it is more important than ever to have a network of well-placed  sensors that are shorter distances to things you want to observe.