Elite: Dangerous will implement a second phase of its beta on September 30th, introducing another 500 star systems for exploration, detailed maps of them, and slew of other upgrades both great and small.

Currently beta access is available for a smooth $60 price tag, which also offers the previously announced "Mercenary Edition," which includes the full version come the games launch.

Beta 2 introduces combat ratings that span "harmless" to "elite," which influence the attitudes and prices offered to you in the space combat sim. Additional simulator tutorials, more music, and different planetary ring types also have been added. Other features include:

Ability to discover and explore and scan new systems and sell the data on them.

Detailed system maps.

Around 500 additional star systems to explore.

Lakon Asp Explorer ships added.

Much greater variety of upgradable Life Support modules, Engines,

Hyperdrives, Power Distributors, Sensors, Shield Generators and Cargo Racks for all ships.

Ships are subject to gradual ‘wear and tear'.

New weapons including mines and a new non-lethal missile-deployed cargo hatch disruptor for piracy.

Outposts (small, exposed ‘roadside café' stations in remote locations) -

Occelus starports, a version of which can move around for early civilization of new systems and space tourism.

Visibility of other ships in supercruise, and track others through supercruise and hyperspace.

Newsfeeds about events from the rest of the galaxy and player activity in your local system.

All backers names (from the appropriate crowd-funding reward tiers) have been added to the NPC naming database.

You can check out the full run down of new content in the official newsletter. Looking to grab Elite: Dangerous? Already got it perhaps? Let us know in the comments on your thoughts of the game so far!