Into the Unknown is a main story mission that is easily the longest to complete up to this point in the game, and there are a few confusing steps along the way as you unlock new mysteries in Starfield. I have a full mission guide outlining the entire mission so you don’t get stuck searching for answers in the universe.
Into the Unknown Quest Bug in Starfield
Before you start the Into the Unknown quest in Starfield, you should know there are a couple of reported bugs that may impede your progress. Bethesda has offered a number of solutions to troubleshoot if you run into this problem, most of which include exiting wherever you are until you reach a loading screen and then returning. Bethesda also suggests reloading a previous save or the classic “turn it off and on again” approach.
There are two bugs in question. The first involves the game not actually giving you the quest. If you’re playing on PC and you run into this bug, you can skip the quest entirely by using a console command: open the console using the Tilde key (~), and then enter “setstage 000160A9 600.”
But know that this may disable achievements and have other unforeseen ramifications, as this quest is fairly important to the story. If you want to avoid this, or are playing on Xbox, try Bethesda’s suggestion of fast traveling out of the area to a nearby planet and then returning. The quest also may appear after exploring other areas and engaging in a few random activities.
The second bug prevents you from following distortions on your scanner to find the temple on Tau Ceti VIII-b. If you run into this issue, we suggest the same solutions as above. Fast traveling in particular seems to have resolved this issue for most players. If that doesn’t work, try passing in-game time by sleeping or sitting, or restart the game.
How to Start Into the Unknown in Starfield
Into the Unknown becomes available after completing the game’s first two quests, One Small Step and The Old Neighborhood. The quest will be one of three that you get simultaneously from Sarah Morgan at the Constellation Lodge in New Atlantis. Talk to her and she’ll tell you she wants you to follow some leads, one of which is at the Constellation’s orbiting starstation, the Eye. Here, she wants you to meet Vladimir, a constellation member who is tracking down some anomalies.
Where to Find The Eye in Starfield
The Eye is a space station that is orbiting around New Atlantis. As soon as you pick up the Into the Unknown mission from Constellation, simply open up your map and look at the edge of the planet. You will see a small eye symbol and you can use the fast travel option to that location. Of course, you still need to approach and dock your ship once you reach the station.
Inside you will find Vladimir. He gives you the rundown of two more Artifact locations to grow more of the collection. He also needs you to find Andreja, who is another member of the Constellation group. This is just the first part of the mission, but it’s also the most time-consuming.
The good news is that Andreja is in one of the Artifact locations, so you still only need to make two trips before returning to the Lodge.
Where to Find Andreja in Starfield
Andreja is located in the Abandoned Mine on planet Niira in the Narion System. This is one of the two Artifact locations that Vladimir marked for you. We already knew she might be in trouble, and as soon as you enter the main mine, she is fighting for her life. Luckily, the enemies were no issue for her.
After you find her, simply tell her that Vladimir sent you for some help. She seemed thankful enough in our playthrough and she even helped us clear out the Abandoned Mine. With the area cleared out, she will meet you back at the Lodge once the first part of Into the Unknown is complete.
How to Find the Artifact on Niira in Starfield
The Artifact on Niira is located all the way at the bottom of the Abandoned Mine. This is the same area where you will find Andreja and it will be marked on the planet as long as you have Into the Unknown set to active. There are no enemies outside the mine, so make your way in and speak to Andreja.
Next, you just need to descend through the mine and take out any hostiles along the way. Eventually, there will be another cavernous entrance at the bottom of the Abandoned Mine. At the end of the tunnel is the Artifact you need.
Keep in mind that you will need a weapon like the Cutter to mine the ore around the Artifact. Otherwise, you won’t be able to reach the item and you’ll be stuck in a sticky situation. Make sure to have a Cutter before you start both aspects of the mission.
How to Find the Artifact on Tau Ceti VIII-8 in Starfield
The Tau Ceti VIII-8 Artifact can be found in the Deserted Robotics Lab on Tau Ceti VIII-b, which is one of the moons in this system. Like the first Artifact, you need to enter the main lab and complete the “dungeon” before reaching the mission item. However, the perimeter of the lab is much more dangerous than the Abandoned Mine, so be careful.
Once you get inside, keep charging through the lab. We took out as many pirates as we could along the way. You never want to miss those sweet legendary weapons and piles of ammo.
After all the chaos is over, there is a room with plenty of trash and two dead scientists at the end of the Deserted Robotics Lab. On the left side of the room is a tunnel entrance. Head inside and make sure to have your Cutter. It’s time to grab another Artifact, then bring both of them back to the Lodge.
How to Follow the Distortions on the Scanner in Starfield
To follow the distortions in the Scanner during the Into the Unknown mission, watch for digital disruptions around the white reticle of the scanner. As soon as you leave your ship on the Procyon III planet, take out your scanner and head straight from the ship platform. We knew we were going the right way by how distorted the Scanner was over time. Don’t look at the environment for answers. Just point the Scanner and watch the pixels flicker.
As you get closer, the distortion will get worse and worse until you reach the Temple ETA. This temple is massive and has floating ice rocks around beyond all kinds of snow dunes. It’s hard to miss once you get close enough with the Scanner in Starfield.
The entrance to Temple ETA is at the base of the structure in between two walls jutting from the ice. Enter the temple and prepare for the final steps of Into the Unknown.
How to Complete Into the Unknown Mission:
- Head to The Eye and speak to Vladimir.
- Travel to Niira for the first Artifact and save Andreja.
- Land on Tau Ceti VIII-b for the second Artifact.
- Return to Vladimir and get the third Artifact location.
- Follow the Scanner Anomaly until you reach Temple ETA.
- Enter the temple and move through the orbs until a portal appears.
- Return to the Lodge to end the quest.
How to Investigate the Source of the Anomaly in Starfield
In order to truly investigate the source of the anomaly in Temple ETA, you need to float through the orbs that appear in the room around the metal rings. Upon entering the temple, you’ll see a set of rings like the collection of Artifacts in the center and there is zero gravity. You have the ability to float up and down while also boosting by using the sprint button.
With these zero-gravity movements in mind, you need to look for orbs of light that spawn around the room. Float through each one as fast as you can. When you are successful, you’ll notice the rings in the center of the room start to glow and move faster. It took us a minute to realize what we needed to do, but the investigation is easy once you realize the orbs are the key.
After enough orbs are touched, the rings will form a teleporter that you can float into. Going inside gives you the full version of the visions you had been seeing before. Only this time, you wake up on the ice with some new powers.
How to Use Your Powers in Starfield
In order to complete Into the Unknown in Starfield, you need to be able to show off your new zero-gravity powers. If you open up the standard menu, there is now a tab above your character that is meant for assigning powers. Select the new one and exit the menu. Now you just need to use them in front of the Constellation group within the Lodge.
On a controller, we used “LB+RB” to activate the powers. Of course, everyone was impressed by our cool space magic tricks, and that was the end of it. Into the Unknown was finally complete and it was time to move on to the next mission in Starfield.
As you explore so many locations for Into the Unknown, make sure you know how to survey planets in Starfield for the best chance at resources.
