By sending a [[Resources#Scientists|Scientist]] to the current planet, the player can gather soil samples that will give random bonuses until the current planet is destroyed. On certain planets, '''gathering soil samples''' also has a chance to yield [[Minerals|'''Minerals''']] that give permanent bonuses.

After entering a [[Black Hole]], the bonus from Planetary Research for the current planet is lost and the limit on gathering soil samples is reset.

In the Planetary Research Lab, only one action can be active at a time — either gathering soil samples or travelling to/from planets.