The surveyor is a scouting ship that surveys systems, like the hull, and prospects bodies, which otherwise only the builders' wayfarer does. A survey shows every body in the system and charts the systems its routes and gates lead to. Prospecting a body shows every layer below its surface, not only the outer one.
A Shipyard builds it from a thruster, sensors and an antenna, all of which are made with copper. It is a frigate with a large tank and a small hold.
A ship can move to the bodies of a system only once its owner has surveyed that system.
Beyond the reach of its side's relays it receives no orders, and runs only the schedule it already has.