In the vast and mysterious solar system of Outer Wilds, one of the most critical components in uncovering the ancient secrets of the Nomai civilization is the elusive Probe Tracking Module. Tied closely to the overarching narrative and the heart of the game’s time loop mechanic, this module plays a significant role in guiding the player toward the Eye of the Universe. Unlike other areas you might stumble upon casually, reaching the Probe Tracking Module requires careful observation, puzzle-solving, and an understanding of the solar system’s dynamic changes. For players seeking to piece together the cosmic mystery, this module is essential to explore.
What Is the Probe Tracking Module?
Central to the Ash Twin Project
The Probe Tracking Module is one of the three major modules that make up the Ash Twin Project, the enigmatic construct at the heart of the game’s time loop narrative. Housed originally within the Ash Twin, this specific module is responsible for tracking the location of the deep space probe launched to find the Eye of the Universe. After each loop reset, this module is one of the few that receives the final data before everything rewinds, making it an invaluable resource to understand the probe’s success and failures.
The Nomai’s Master Plan
Thousands of years before the events of the game, the Nomai constructed the Ash Twin Project to send information back in time. The Probe Tracking Module was designed to store data about the location of the Eye of the Universe, should the launched probe ever detect it. Every 22 minutes, the solar system resets due to the sun’s supernova, and this module is key to why and how that loop begins again. Understanding this module reveals the incredible ambition and ingenuity of the Nomai, and uncovers the purpose behind the mysterious quantum signal players encounter throughout their journey.
Where Is the Probe Tracking Module Located?
The Sunken Core of Giant’s Deep
While the Probe Tracking Module originated in the Ash Twin, it no longer resides there when the player seeks it. After a dramatic teleportation during the supernova event, it ends up deep within Giant’s Deep, submerged inside the planetary core. The core is difficult to reach due to the planet’s unique properties, including its strong gravity, electric storms, and powerful ocean currents that prevent easy descent.
Challenges of Reaching the Core
Reaching the Probe Tracking Module requires solving the puzzle of Giant’s Deep. You’ll need to bypass the planet’s high-pressure current, which repels most attempts to descend using a spacecraft. The trick involves finding one of the jellyfish floating in the ocean and using it as a shield against the electrical current. It’s a moment of discovery that rewards observation and creativity hallmarks of Outer Wilds’ non-linear design philosophy.
How to Reach the Probe Tracking Module
Step-by-Step Guide
- Travel to Giant’s Deep and land safely on one of the islands.
- Locate one of the broken cyclones storms that pull objects downward instead of upward.
- Use your ship to enter the underwater region and navigate until you find the jellyfish.
- Exit your ship and swim inside the jellyfish (only safe during its neutral phase).
- Use the jellyfish to descend through the electrical barrier safely.
- Once inside the core, locate the sunken Probe Tracking Module beneath the swirling waters.
This journey can be intimidating for first-time players, but perseverance is rewarded with critical information. The sense of discovery and danger makes finally reaching the core and uncovering the module a major highlight in the game.
What You Learn from the Probe Tracking Module
The Probe’s Journey
Inside the Probe Tracking Module, players uncover logs from the Nomai that detail how many times the probe has been launched millions, thanks to the loop. More importantly, players find the exact moment the probe finally succeeded in locating the Eye of the Universe. This discovery is central to breaking the cycle and completing the game’s story. The coordinates of the Eye are stored in this module and must be memorized or recorded by the player to reach the final area of the game.
Confirmation of the Time Loop’s Purpose
The data stored in the Probe Tracking Module confirms that the entire time loop system was designed for one reason: to give the Nomai endless opportunities to find the Eye. Each time the sun goes supernova, a snapshot of the last 22 minutes is sent back through the Ash Twin, allowing the process to repeat. Without this module, the player cannot understand the reason behind the loop, nor access the final sequence of the game.
The Importance of the Module in the Narrative
A Universe-Spanning Message
The Eye of the Universe is a mysterious entity that calls across the cosmos. The Probe Tracking Module serves as the Nomai’s method of responding to that call. It encapsulates their dedication, the scale of their technological ambition, and their ultimate fate. It also symbolizes hope hope that, even after extinction, their work would one day be completed by someone else.
Connecting the Dots
Without the information gathered in the Probe Tracking Module, many of the game’s core mysteries remain unsolved. This module ties together various locations and logs you’ve encountered during your travels. It validates the fragments of knowledge pieced together from other planets and confirms the Eye’s location with concrete data. It’s the ultimate piece of the puzzle, and the final push toward the game’s profound ending.
Exploration and Emotional Impact
A Defining Moment for the Player
Few moments in Outer Wilds match the emotional and intellectual satisfaction of discovering the Probe Tracking Module. It’s a payoff not just for one quest but for your entire journey through the game. It’s a moment of quiet reflection as much as it is of triumph, made more powerful by the game’s signature blend of music, atmosphere, and storytelling.
The Final Clue
The coordinates found here are the final clue you need to reach the Eye of the Universe. They must be manually entered at the vessel in the Dark Bramble a fittingly difficult and strange end to your travels. The moment you input those coordinates is when your journey takes its most significant turn, leading to the game’s thought-provoking finale.
The Probe Tracking Module in Outer Wilds is more than just a device or plot point. It’s a symbol of persistence, curiosity, and the pursuit of knowledge across time and space. It reflects the heart of the game’s themes seeking truth, embracing mystery, and connecting with a universe larger than yourself. Reaching it is a challenge, but one that rewards the player with not only answers but a deeper appreciation for the journey they’ve taken. For any player seeking to truly understand the secrets of the Outer Wilds universe, the Probe Tracking Module is a must-visit destination on the path to enlightenment.