Forgot the name of a book I read 20 years ago!

[eon31337]

Only bit I recall was a solo space pilot rummaging through ancient space war debris in orbit around a planet. He had some kind of mental ability to zone into certain pieces, like rare metals? Not too sure.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help pinpoint this book! Cheers

 

[dannymcg]

I'm getting faint memories of a short story by Vernon Vinge

 

[Cicero]

Sounds a bit like a David Brin story.

 

[eon31337]

Could be either of those. Any idea of a specific story? From memory the bit I remember from the story was at the beginning, no recollection of what happened after that.