Ummmm well there won't be a "vehicle" per say, on the initial landing. You'll see ;)
And the first couple posts will be aboard The Ark pre-Cryo, then we'll have a 15 year time jump, then a few posts will be dealing with setting up for the initial landing. Some nice mellow time to get into the thread lol
Seeing as how most of the "action" will be taking place on the ground, you'll be responsible for what your character is doing on the ship if you choose to not have them go down to the planet.