Here is the essential information needed to perfom/complete Scouting Missions.First, you must accumulate enough credits to purchase a camera and/or scanner pod(pictured above) & install it/them on your ship.Then you must select a scouting mission from the mission computer, in the station's bar. Next, fly to the sector you have been hired to scan/take pictures of, target the station w/in that sector & press 's' for scan missions and 'p' for picture missions as many times needed to complete the contract. At the moment you finish scanning/clicking, the mission is completed and you recieve credits(amount based on your rank) & 4 experience points.This is the fastest way toward level advancement & scouting pays the best for single missions-