Nobody knows? I have searched the entire planet and have seen no patrol vessel. I am not too worried yet since I cannot defeat it yet but it worries me that I may not be able to progress. I am on the snow planet of Tohh and this is the next quest so I can build up to it but don't know what to do if I cannot find a patrol vessel on this planet. Does finding on on another planet and killing it count or does it have to be on Tohh?

It should show up on the map as a red dot, I don't remember if you need the sensors to see it or not.

Sometime deactivating, then reactivation the quest can reset stuck things.

I deactivated and reactivated the mission and I don't see anything. Pretty much have the whole planet revealed but not sure if I have to be close to it to see it on map and mini map like drones. I have flown arond the planet with no luck. I have built a base just in case that needed to happen. I really am not sure what I can do. should I search for one on another planet? does killing any patrol vessel count or does it have to be here on this starter difficulty high planet?

Honestly don't know as I've not tried the Tohh start, but for the 'kill 50 space drones' quest in Combat, those 50 drones can be anywhere irrespective of starter planet , so definitely worth a try.

ok Will try to explore some other planets. I tried navigating the whole planet again after restarting the quest and no joy on the patrol vessel :/. I hope it works because if It does not it completely freezes my progression in opening other abilities like engineering. Thanks gilesey.

'find pat' in console (~) don't see anything
same problem

I seem to remember the big Junk Container Drone takes the place of the patrol vessel.