FredMSloniker fucked around with this message at 20:47 on Jun 7, 2021

• Command: "Facilities for the Space Station Command team. Control, communications, and living areas are provided." Costs 25.0 credits to build, two shuttle tons to launch, and 0.0 credits to operate. Occupies two station tiles.
  One of the two essential modules for station operation. It has its own power, living quarters, galley, and gym, and despite what the game claims, it has no operating cost.
  
  
• Galley & Gym: "Galley and food storage facilities for 24 mission crew members. A gym is used for crew conditioning." Costs 25.0 credits to build, two shuttle tons to launch, and 5.0 credits to operate. Occupies two station tiles. Provides 24.0 GGym; requires 10.0 Power to operate.
  This is how you provide GGym to your other modules. You'll add one whenever you need more GGym. I can't say much more about it. The rotating section lets you recreate the jogging scene in 2001.
  
  
• Life A: "Living areas for four mission crew. A lounge is provided for crew recreation." Costs 10.0 credits to build, one shuttle ton to launch, and 2.0 credits to operate. Occupies one station tile. Provides 4.0 Life; requires 5.0 Power to operate.
  The Life A provides half the life support of the Life B at half the size, making it slightly more convenient to fit into your station. Buying two of them will cost only slightly more than one Life B, both initially and in upkeep. That said, there are very few reasons to buy a single Life A; you might consider pairing it with a Forestry Lab or Weather Center to use that saved station tile.
  
  
• Life B: "Living areas for eight mission crew. A lounge is provided for crew recreation." Costs 18.0 credits to build, two shuttle tons to launch, and 3.6 credits to operate. Occupies two station tiles. Provides 8.0 Life; requires 10.0 Power to operate.
  The Life B is your workhorse for life support generation until you unlock the Life LH2. It's compact, it has two attachment points, and it's big enough for a game of zero-G volleyball.
  
  
• Life LH2: "Living areas for sixteen mission crew. The module is built by refabricating the LH2 portion of the external tank." Costs 12.0 credits to build, two shuttle tons to launch, and 2.4 credits to operate. Occupies three station tiles. Provides 16.0 Life; requires 15.0 Power to operate. Requires Construction A50 to build.
  The Life LH2 is a significant upgrade over previous life support options, costing less than the Life B both to buy and operate and providing twice the life support. There are a few caveats, however. First off, you have to research it. Second, although it's smaller than two Life Bs, it doesn't have the second attachment point, so it's less convenient to place. It's also a weird size for a module, 3x1. Get around those issues, though, and you're good to go.
  
  
• Logistics: "Engineering centers including power distribution, life support, and medical unit." Costs 15.0 credits to build, two shuttle tons to launch, and 0.0 credits to operate. Occupies two station tiles.
  The other essential module for station operation. Like the Command module, it has no support requirements or operating expenses, despite the game's claims.
  
  
• Long Connector: "A long tunnel section used to connect up to six modules together." Costs 8.0 credits to build, two shuttle tons to launch, and 0.0 credits to operate. Occupies two station tiles.
  Most of the time you're going to want stations larger than the bare minimum, which means more connectors. The Long Connector costs 20% less than two Short Connectors both to buy and to maintain, with only a tiny sacrifice in flexibility. Despite the game's claims, it doesn't have an operating cost.
  
  
• Propulsion Unit: "Provides propulsion to move space stations to new worlds. Change class to Cargoliner to change orbits." Costs 55.0 credits to build, four shuttle tons to launch, and 20.0 credits to operate. Occupies six station tiles. Requires 30.0 Power to operate. Requires Transport B50 to build.
  The only reason to build a Propulsion Unit is to build a Cargoliner. (The manual claims you also need one for a Jupiter Explorer. The manual is wrong.)
  
  
• Short Connector: "A small tunnel section used to connect up to four modules together." Costs 5.0 credits to build, one shuttle ton to launch, and 0.0 credits to operate. Occupies one station tile.
  Every station needs at least one connector, and most require more. The Short Connector provides just enough additional attachment points to build a station with two Station Power and a single research or commerce module. Despite the game's claims, it has no operating cost.
  
  
• Station Power: "A small solar panel with power distribution equipment to supply power to the station." Costs 10.0 credits to build, one shuttle ton to launch, and 2.0 credits to operate. Occupies two station tiles. Provides 35.0 Power.
  Station Power modules are the cheap and cheerful way to power your station. Three of them provide slightly more power than a Solar Connector at half the price, and each one is a quarter of the size. Operating costs and the Solar Connector's other benefits will eventually make them inefficient, but you'll use lots of them nonetheless.
  

• Agriculture Lab: "A space greenhouse used to study plant life in zero-g conditions. Agriculture research is needed for colonization." Costs 56.0 credits to build, four shuttle tons to launch, and 6.5 credits to operate. Occupies eight station tiles. Requires 5.0 GGym, 5.0 Life, and 40.0 Power to operate. Provides the Agriculture and Resources activities with a base charge of 40.0. Requires Agriculture A50 to build.
  The Agriculture Lab isn't a good choice for commerce unless its markets are performing well. That said, it has the second highest base charge, which means if its markets are doing well, it'll produce a lot of cash. Agriculture research is only used for the Agriculture Lab module itself, and there are better sources of Resources research. Combined with its large size and high support requirements, I'd avoid it.
  
  
• Biology Lab: "A laboratory for scientists involved in biological research." Costs 36.0 credits to build, two shuttle tons to launch, and 2.5 credits to operate. Occupies two station tiles. Requires 3.0 GGym, 3.0 Life, and 10.0 Power to operate. Provides the Biology, Pharmaceutics, and Sciences activities with a base charge of 26.0. Requires Sciences A50 to build.
  In the "Shuttle!" mission, this could be a good choice. (You won't have time to research it in "Research".) As long as its markets don't bomb, it'll turn a decent profit, and it'll generate tech points at a good clip. It's also cheap, small, and has an attachment point at either end. That said, there are better choices for making money, and the only module that you unlock with any of its research categories is this one.
  
  
• Building Platform: "Construction facility in space. It has a crane to assist astronauts in building large structures." Costs 34.0 credits to build, two shuttle tons to launch, and 2.5 credits to operate. Occupies four station tiles. Requires 2.0 GGym, 2.0 Life, and 20.0 Power to operate. Provides the Construction activity with a base charge of 26.0.
  You need a Dry Dock in every mission but "Research" and "Shuttle!" You need Construction research to build a Dry Dock. Your only source of Construction research that doesn't require Construction research is the Building Platform. It doesn't really matter if it's profitable or not, though as long as the Construction market is good, it's decent.
  
  
• Chemical Lab: "A laboratory for scientists involved in chemical research." Costs 26.0 credits to build, two shuttle tons to launch, and 2.5 credits to operate. Occupies two station tiles. Requires 3.0 GGym, 3.0 Life, and 10.0 Power to operate. Provides the Materials and Sciences activities with a base charge of 18.0.
  While this is a poor choice for commerce unless its markets do spectacularly well, it's the only way to get started in Materials research, which you will need for the "Space Colony" mission. It's also small and cheap.
  
  
• Communications: "A transmissions module that receives/sends signals between Earth and space stations." Costs 36.0 credits to build, two shuttle tons to launch, and 2.5 credits to operate. Occupies four station tiles. Requires 1.0 GGym, 1.0 Life, and 20.0 Power to operate. Provides the Communications, Entertainment, and Information activities with a base charge of 16.0.
  You need a Communications Base from the fourth mission on, and a second Communications Base for "Search for Life". You can't make a Communications Base without Communications modules or Deep Space Relay modules, and you can't get Deep Space Relay modules without Communications research, which only this module, and the Deep Space Relay module itself, provide. Unfortunately, it's the absolute worst choice for commerce unless all three of its activities are doing very well, primarily because its base charge is very, very low, especially considering its size and cost. At least you'll be generating three kinds of research while you tech up.
  
  
• Computer Lab: "A laboratory for scientists involved in semiconductor research." Costs 40.0 credits to build, four shuttle tons to launch, and 4.0 credits to operate. Occupies four station tiles. Requires 4.0 GGym, 4.0 Life, and 20.0 Power to operate. Provides the Information activity with a base charge of 31.0.
  A middle-of-the-road source of commerce which swiftly becomes very good if the Information market takes off, thanks to its high base charge. It's a terrible source of tech points, though, producing only 2/3 of what other single-activity modules do, and no module needs Information research to unlock. Use strictly for cash generation. It has surprisingly good attachment points.
  
  
• Deep Space Relay: "The Deep Space Relay transmits signals between space probes and mission control." Costs 40.0 credits to build, four shuttle tons to launch, and 3.0 credits to operate. Occupies four station tiles. Requires 2.0 GGym, 2.0 Life, and 20.0 Power to operate. Provides the Communications activity with a base charge of 30.0. Requires Communications A50 to build.
  What the Communications module wants to be when it grows up. It's only slightly more expensive, but has nearly double the base charge, and its focus on Communications means its performance doesn't depend on two other markets. That said, Communications research is only good for the Deep Space Relay module, so the only use for this is commerce.
  
  
• Energy Platform: "Energy platforms provide equipment for manned study of energy production in space." Costs 30.0 credits to build, two shuttle tons to launch, and 2.5 credits to operate. Occupies four station tiles. Requires 1.0 GGym, 1.0 Life, and 20.0 Power to operate. Provides the Energy activity with a base charge of 23.0. Requires Energy A50 to build.
  One of the best sources of commerce if the Energy market is performing at all well. It's especially important in missions that require Settlements, as you need a lot of Energy research to unlock the Settlement Power cargo. If you're just looking for generic tech points, though, it's a poor source.
  
  
• Fabrication Lab: "A lab used in the testing and production of prefab components from space materials." Costs 41.0 credits to build, four shuttle tons to launch, and 4.0 credits to operate. Occupies four station tiles. Requires 4.0 GGym, 4.0 Life, and 20.0 Power to operate. Provides the Construction and Fabrication activities with a base charge of 29.0. Requires Construction B00 to build.
  Expensive to research, and average in both commerce and tech point production, the Fabrication Plant is nonetheless the only source of Fabrication research, which you will need to build Settlements and the Space Colony. And you will need a lot of it. Prepare to spam this module and be glad it's so average - and that it has two attachment points.
  
  
• Forestry Lab: "Forestry Labs provide equipment for manned study of Earth's forests." Costs 14.0 credits to build, one shuttle ton to launch, and 1.0 credit to operate. Occupies one station tile. Requires 1.0 GGym, 1.0 Life, and 5.0 Power to operate. Provides the Forestry and Resources activities with a base charge of 10.0. Requires Forestry A50 to build.
  So long as the Resources and Forestry markets don't tank, this is an okay source of income, and it's tied with the Weather Center for most research generation per station tile. However, it's the only module that actually needs Forestry, and it's hard to make use of the station tile it saves you over most modules.
  
  
• Pharmaceutic Lab: "A laboratory used to study and produce exceptionally pure pharmaceutical products." Costs 32.0 credits to build, two shuttle tons to launch, and 2.5 credits to operate. Occupies two station tiles. Requires 3.0 GGym, 3.0 Life, and 10.0 Power to operate. Provides the Medical and Pharmaceutics activities with a base charge of 20.0.
  The Pharmaceutic Lab is a poor choice for commerce unless both of its markets take off. That said, it's a really good research module. It's compact, it has two attachment points (though their placement is a little strange, making it effectively a 1x2 module instead of a 2x1), and it's cheap to run. Oh, and it's essential for the "Mars Rescue" mission. Underestimate this at your peril.
  
  
• Resource Platform: "Resource Platforms provide equipment for manned study of Earth's resources." Costs 21.0 credits to build, two shuttle tons to launch, and 1.5 credits to operate. Occupies two station tiles. Requires 1.0 GGym, 1.0 Life, and 10.0 Power to operate. Provides the Agriculture, Forestry, and Resources activities with a base charge of 10.0.
  One of the worst modules for commercial activities, but one of the best for research. You need Resources research for the last two missions, and this module not only provides Resources research but provides the research you need to unlock the other two sources of Resources research: the Agriculture Lab and the Forestry Lab. Given the Agriculture Lab's poor performance for its size and the Forestry Lab's much better commercial performance, this is still likely to be your primary source of Resources research even once you've researched them.
  
  
• Shuttle Port: "Shuttle Ports provide facilities to dock a shuttle to a space station." Costs 77.0 credits to build, four shuttle tons to launch, and 9.5 credits to operate. Occupies 14 station tiles. Requires 5.0 GGym, 5.0 Life, and 70.0 Power to operate. Provides the Transport activity with a base charge of 74.0.
  The second best commerce module overall, and the best you don't need to research for, so long as the Transport market doesn't tank. But it carries a terrible cost: its research efficiency is the worst in the game, due to its huge size and huge costs. Just use it to make money, you say? Well, here's the thing: you need Transport research to build several mission-essential modules starting in the fourth mission, and the only other source of Transport research, the Space Tug, itself requires a hundred points of Transport research. This shining seagull quickly becomes an albatross. Note: the two station tiles next to the Shuttle's cockpit on the right are not part of the module, and you can place modules there.
  
  
• Solar Collector: "Produces power for the station and transmits excess power to facilities on Earth." Costs 60.0 credits to build, four shuttle tons to launch, and 2.0 credits to operate. Occupies eight station tiles. Provides 100.0 Power. Provides the Energy activity with a base charge of 20.0.
  The Solar Collector is a rather poor commerce option, owing to its high cost and frankly appalling base charge for its size, and it's a horrible source of tech points - but it's the only source of Energy research that doesn't require Energy research itself. Build it for three reasons: you need Energy research to build Settlements, it produces a lot of Power (independent of commerce or research activities) for a very small operating cost, and (unlike the Station Power module) it can turn a profit.
  
  
• Space Alloys Lab: "A laboratory used to study the production of alloys from earth and lunar ores. Pure crystals can be grown in space." Costs 44.0 credits to build, four shuttle tons to launch, and 4.0 credits to operate. Occupies four station tiles. Requires 4.0 GGym, 4.0 Life, and 20.0 Power to operate. Provides the Materials activity with a base charge of 33.0. Requires Materials B00 to build.
  Compared to the Chemical Lab, the only other source of Materials activities, this is a better moneymaker (especially if the Sciences market is lagging behind the Materials market) but a much worse source of research due to its larger size and narrower focus. Stick to the Chemical Lab for the Materials research the "Space Colony" mission needs, and consider this module only as a potential source of income. It has shockingly good attachment points, for what that's worth.
  
  
• Space Telescope: "A laboratory for scientists involved in physics and astronomy research." Costs 37.0 credits to build, four shuttle tons to launch, and 4.0 credits to operate. Occupies four station tiles. Requires 4.0 GGym, 4.0 Life, and 20.0 Power to operate. Provides the Physics and Sciences activities with a base charge of 27.0.
  This isn't a very good commerce module, though there are worse, but you'll need Sciences research to unlock the Biology Lab (a decent source of income) and Physics research to unlock the Mass Driver (essential for the "Space Colony" mission). That said, there are better sources for both (the Chemical Lab and Weather Center, respectively).
  
  
• Space Tug: "A small tug used to move payloads around space stations and worksites." Costs 23.0 credits to build, two shuttle tons to launch, and 1.5 credits to operate. Occupies two station tiles. Requires 1.0 GGym, 1.0 Life, and 10.0 Power to operate. Provides the Transport activity with a base charge of 19.0. Requires Transport B00 to build.
  Unless something terrible happens to the Transport market, this is the best commerce producer in the game. More importantly, it is head and shoulders above the Shuttle Port in almost every way: lower purchase cost, lower operating cost, lower support requirements, much smaller, and seven times more efficient at generating Transport research, which is essential for several missions. The only down side is that the only way to get it is to first agonize through Shuttle Port modules in research mode.
  
  
• Weather Center: "Advanced, manned weather forecasting facility capable of monitoring Earth's weather." Costs 17.0 credits to build, one shuttle ton to launch, and 1.5 credits to operate. Occupies one station tile. Requires 2.0 GGym, 2.0 Life, and 5.0 Power to operate. Provides the Agriculture and Physics activities with a base charge of 10.0.
  This module is the second worst for commerce, thanks to its rock-bottom base charge and strangely high owning and operating costs for its size. That said, like the Forestry Lab, it's an incredibly efficient source of tech points, and a much better source of Physics research (needed for the Mass Driver) than the Space Telescope. Sadly, the Agriculture research is only useful for unlocking the lackluster Agriculture Lab, and it's difficult to really take advantage of its small size, but it's still worth finding places for it, especially since it contributes to the requirements for a Science Lab Station.
  

• Catcher: "Cargo to build a Catcher Station. This station is built at Lagrange 2." Costs 25.0 credits to build, two shuttle tons to launch, and 15.0 credits to operate. Occupies two station tiles. Provides 1.0 GGym, 1.0 Life, and 100.0 Power. Requires Transport C50 to build.
  This cargo module is only used in the "Space Colony" mission. You need to deliver eight of them to Lagrange 2 to build a Catcher station.
  
  
• Dry Dock: "Cargo to build a Dry Dock. Dry Docks are required to build Cargoliners and Jupiter Explorers." Costs 10.0 credits to build, two shuttle tons to launch, and 7.0 credits to operate. Occupies two station tiles. Provides 2.0 GGym, 2.0 Life, and 20.0 Power. Requires Construction B50 to build.
  This cargo module is used in every mission but "Research" and "Shuttle!". You need to deliver 20 of them to Lagrange 1 to build a Dry Dock station.
  
  
• Fabrication Plant: "Cargo to build a Fabrication Plant. This station is built at Lagrange 1." Costs 30.0 credits to build, two shuttle tons to launch, and 21.0 credits to operate. Occupies two station tiles. Provides 2.0 GGym, 2.0 Life, and 20.0 Power. Requires Fabrication D00 to build.
  This cargo module is only used in the"Space Colony" mission. Deliver 40 of them to Lagrange 1 to build a Fabrication Plant station.
  
  
• Jupiter Explorer: "Cargo to build a Jupiter Explorer used to explore new worlds. It travels twice as fast as Cargoliners." Costs 25.0 credits to build, two shuttle tons to launch, and 14.0 credits to operate. Occupies two station tiles. Provides 1.0 GGym, 1.0 Life, and 30.0 Power. Requires Transport C00 to build.
  This cargo module is only used in the "Search for Life" mission. Deliver 15 of them to Low Earth Orbit to build a Jupiter Explorer station.
  
  
• Mass Driver: "Cargo to build a Mass Driver. Mass Drivers electromagnetically pitch packets of lunar ore into orbit." Costs 50.0 credits to build, two shuttle tons to launch, and 8.0 credits to operate. Occupies two station tiles. Requires 1.0 GGym, 1.0 Life, and 15.0 Power to operate. Requires Physics C00 to build.
  This cargo module is only used in the"Space Colony" mission. Send 16 of them to a Fuel Depot station on the Moon to upgrade it to an Ore/Mine station.
  
  
• Materials Plant: "Cargo to build a Materials Plant. This station is built at Lagrange 1." Costs 35.0 credits to build, two shuttle tons to launch, and 25.0 credits to operate. Occupies two station tiles. Provides 2.0 GGym, 2.0 Life, and 25.0 Power. Requires Materials D00 to build.
  This cargo module is only used in the"Space Colony" mission. Send 32 of them to Lagrange 1 to build a Materials Plant station.
  
  
• Mine/Ore: "Equipment to mine an area of the lunar surface. Oxygen and metal silicates are mined for fuel and construction material." Costs 35.0 credits to build, two shuttle tons to launch, and 14.0 credits to operate. Occupies two station tiles. Requires 1.0 GGym, 1.0 Life, and 5.0 Power to operate. Requires Resources C00 to build.
  This cargo module is only used in the "Space Colony" and "Search for Life" missions. Send eight of them to a Settlement to upgrade it to a Fuel Depot. Note: the game sometimes refers to this as a "Mine/Ore Benef" module; beneficiation is filtering out the unwanted material from ore.
  
  
• Settlement Life: "Living areas for crew members of a settlement. The module has research facilities." Costs 20.0 credits to build, two shuttle tons to launch, and 10.0 credits to operate. Occupies two station tiles. Provides 4.0 GGym, 4.0 Life, and 10.0 Power. Requires Fabrication C00 to build.
  This cargo module is used in the "Lunar Base", "Space Colony", and "Search for Life" missions. Send four of them to a planet or moon, as well as eight Settlement Power modules, to build a Settlement station.
  
  
• Settlement Power: "A solar collector with power equipment needed to operate a settlement." Costs 15.0 credits to build, two shuttle tons to launch, and 2.0 credits to operate. Occupies two station tiles. Provides 20.0 Power. Requires Energy C00 to build.
  This cargo module is used in the "Lunar Base", "Space Colony", and "Search for Life" missions. Send eight of them to a planet or moon, as well as four Settlement Life modules, to build a Settlement station.
  
  
• Space Colony: "Cargo to build a Space Colony. This station is built at Lagrange 1." Costs 70.0 credits to build, two shuttle tons to launch, and 44.0 credits to operate. Occupies two station tiles. Provides 25.0 GGym, 25.0 Life, and 100.0 Power. Requires Construction D00 to build.
  This cargo module is only used in the "Space Colony" mission. Deliver 100 of them to Lagrange 1 to build a Space Colony station.
  
  
• Space Hospital: "Cargo to build a Space Hospital." Costs 60.0 credits to build, two shuttle tons to launch, and 50.0 credits to operate. Occupies two station tiles. Provides 2.0 GGym, 2.0 Life, and 40.0 Power. Provides the Medical and Pharmaceutics activities with a base charge of 100.0. Requires Medical B50 to build.
  This cargo module is only needed in the "Mars Rescue" mission, though it can be used in any mission with enough time to research it. It can be a very good source of income if the Medical market is strong. Send 12 to orbit to build the Space Hospital station; for the "Mars Rescue" mission, it must be in Mars orbit.
  

• Cargoliner: "Modular station delivers cargo and explores other worlds." Requirements: Dry Dock (Construction B50 research) in orbit; station must have active Propulsion Unit module (Transport B50 research).
  Cargoliners are stations that move. You attach cargo modules to them and fly them to their destination. (Getting back is a problem for later.) In the "Search for Life" mission, Cargoliners that are also Science Lab Stations, Life Sciences Stations, or Construction Bases generate discovery points.
  
  
• Class 1 Station: "Station qualifies as two or more of Sci Lab, Com Base, Life Sci, Trans Base, and Const Base." Requirements: The same as the station types it qualifies as.
  This is a catchall term for "This station does more than one thing". It provides whatever effects each of the station classes it qualifies for does.
  
  
• Class 2 Station: "Basic class for all modular space stations." Requirements: None.
  All you need for a class 2 station is to place a single module, but you can't actually activate any modules until you have Command and Logistics in place.
  
  
• Communications Base: "Receives discoveries from three stations and seven probes." Requirements: Any combination of seven Deep Space Relay modules (Communications A50 research) and Communications modules (no research).
  Communications Bases are only relevant in the last mission, "Search for Life". You'll build one in Low Earth Orbit to connect to probes and settlements out to Jupiter orbit, and a second Communications Base there to extend your reach to the rest of the solar system. (Yes, I know that doesn't quite make sense.)
  
  
• Construction Base: "Station improves research in the Mat/Fab/Con activities." Requirements: Any combination of seven Space Alloy Lab modules (Materials B00 research), Fabrication Lab modules (Construction B00 research), and Building Platform modules (no research).
  To be precise, the Construction Base makes breakthroughs in Materials, Fabrication, and Construction research more likely. While it doesn't require modules that produce all three activities, there's no point leaving research power on the table.
  
  
• Freeform: "New stations with no defined class." Requirements: No modules have been placed and station is not an advanced station.
  There is, almost literally, nothing to say about this station class.
  
  
• Life Sciences Station: "Station improves Commerce in all activities." Requirements: Any combination of seven Life Science modules - Resource Platform (no research), Forestry Lab (Forestry A50 research), Agriculture Lab (Agriculture A50 research), Biology Lab (Sciences A50 research), and Pharmaceutic Lab (no research).
  The effects of a Life Sciences Station are described as "Increases the use percentages for all modules engaged in commerce." I have no idea by how much.
  
  
• Science Lab Station: "Station improves research in all activities." Requirements: Any combination of seven science modules - Energy Platform (Energy A50 research), Computer Lab (no research), Chemical Lab (no research), Space Telescope (no research), and Weather Center (no research).
  Specifically, it increases the chance of breakthroughs. By how much? Unlike the Life Sciences Station, I don't actually care, because I don't have to figure out how much extra to charge to get the benefits. Most of these modules are available from the get go, too.
  
  
• Transport Base: "Build one new station for each transport base per turn." Requirements: Either three Shuttle Port modules (no research) or seven Space Tug modules (Transport B00).
  Each Transport Base allows you to begin one extra new station per quarter. You still have to pay 250 credits for the new station license.
  

• Catcher: "Catches lunar ore thrown into orbit from Mine Settlements." Requirements: Deliver eight Catcher modules (Transport C50 research) to Lagrange point 2.
  This advanced station is the second step in the process of creating the Space Colony. It passes one unit of ore per quarter from the Ore Mine to the Materials Plant.
  
  
• Dry Dock: "Builds Cargoliners and Jupiter Explorers." Requirements: Deliver 20 Dry Dock modules (Construction B50 research) to Low Earth Orbit.
  We need to build a Dry Dock before we can build Cargoliners or Jupiter Explorers.
  
  
• Fabrication Plant: "Builds prefab components used to build a Space Colony." Requirements: Deliver 40 Fabrication Plant modules (Fabrication D00 research) to Lagrange point 1.
  This is the end of the supply chain for the "Space Colony" mission. One Fabrication Plant can keep up with one Materials Plant.
  
  
• Fuel Depot: "Mines ores used to refuel Cargoliners." Requirements: Deliver four Settlement Life modules (Fabrication C00 research), eight Settlement Power modules (Energy C00 research), and eight Mine/Ore modules (Resources C00 research) to the planet or moon.
  This is a lesser version of the Ore Mine from the "Space Colony" mission, suitable for putting places other than the moon. You'll need to upgrade your Settlements if you want the Cargoliners that visit them to be able to go home again. This is only useful in the "Search for Life" mission.
  
  
• Jupiter Explorer: "Manned space vehicle explores planets and moons." Requirements: Dry Dock (Construction B50 research) in orbit; deliver 15 Jupiter Explorer modules (Transport C00 research) to Low Earth Orbit.
  Traveling twice as fast as a Cargoliner and not needing to be refueled, the Jupiter Explorer is more efficient than a probe at collecting valuable research data, though less so than a Cargoliner specialized for research or a settlement. We won't need this until the "Search for Life" mission.
  
  
• Materials Plant: "Processes lunar ore into raw materials." Requirements: Delivery of 32 Material Plant modules (Materials D00 research) to Lagrange point 1.
  Step three in the Space Colony supply chain. One Materials Plant can keep up with four Catchers, sending the raw materials to the Fabrication Plant.
  
  
• Ore Mine: "Catapults ore packets into orbit with a mass driver." Requirements: Deliver four Settlement Life modules (Fabrication C00 research), eight Settlement Power modules (Energy C00 research), eight Mine/Ore modules (Resources C00 research), and sixteen Mass Driver modules (Physics C00 research) to the Moon.
  This upgraded Settlement is the first step in the supply chain for the "Space Colony" mission. Each turn, it sends one unit of ore into space for the Catcher to grab.
  
  
• Settlement: "Manned exploration settlements on other worlds." Requirements: Deliver four Settlement Life modules (Fabrication C00 research) and eight Settlement Power modules (Energy C00 research) to the planet or moon.
  The basic way of putting people on other planets. If they ever want to leave the planet, they should upgrade to a Fuel Depot. We'll need one to win the "Lunar Base" mission, and we'll need to upgrade one to an Ore Mine to win the "Space Colony" mission. We'll also want to build them for the "Search for Life" mission, as they're the best source of discovery points.
  
  
• Space Colony: "Colony of 10,000 people builds giant solar collectors." Requirements: Deliver 100 Space Colony modules (Construction D00 research) and 40 tons of processed ore (from the Fabrication Plant) to Lagrange point 1.
  This is the win condition for the "Space Colony" mission. That's also the only mission in which it's relevant.
  
  
• Space Hospital: "Medical center built into a captured asteroid." Requirements: Deliver twelve Space Hospital modules (Medical B50) to orbit of the planet or moon.
  This is the victory condition for "Mars Rescue", but it can be built in other missions. That said, while it's described as, "Generates research and revenue," I have no idea how much. It's the only tech you're going to use Medical research for, at any rate.
  

FredMSloniker fucked around with this message at 18:52 on Jul 15, 2021

• Agriculture: Demand 182.3. (Activity demand starts at 200, but the market shifts even before the first turn starts.)
  
• Biology: Demand 162.7.
  
• Communication: Demand 211.7.
  
• Construction: Demand 209.1.
  
• Energy: Demand 198.7.
  
• Entertainment: Demand 189.1.
  
• Fabrication: Demand 221.2.
  
• Forestry: Demand 177.6.
  
• Information: Demand 211.7.
  
• Materials: Demand 188.3.
  
• Medical: Demand 235.1.
  
• Pharmaceutics: Demand 268.0.
  
• Physics: Demand 208.4.
  
• Resources: Demand 161.2.
  
• Sciences: Demand 210.1.
  
• Transport: Demand 207.5.
  

• Agriculture: Resource Platform and Weather Center.
  
• Communications: Communications.
  
• Construction: Building Platform.
  
• Energy: Solar Collector. (Note: also provides Power.)
  
• Entertainment: Communications.
  
• Forestry: Resource Platform.
  
• Information: Communications and Computer Lab.
  
• Materials: Chemical Lab.
  
• Medical: Pharmaceutic Lab.
  
• Pharmaceutics: Pharmaceutic Lab.
  
• Physics: Space Telescope and Weather Center.
  
• Resources: Resource Platform.
  
• Sciences: Chemical Lab and Space Telescope.
  
• Transport: Shuttle Port.
  

• EOS officials said an article in a recent market journal reported a healthy science industry.
  
• In a prepared statement, NASA director Dan Lokinar stated fewer space projects are causing a recession in the transport industry.
  
• During the last quarter, space economists stated that thirty-day weather forecasts from weather satellites are now 90% accurate.
  
• EBA broker Stephanie Daniels announced companies are making more frequent use of the space transport system.
  
• In an interview, Space Researcher Rodney Pearson reported that structural research is making possible larger construction projects.
  
• After a closed door meeting, Space Economist Kevin Vetter stated logistics expense has raised the operating cost for the Propulsion Unit module to 24.3. (Note: the Propulsion Unit module is outside the scope of this mission.)
  
• Higher supply charges drove up the operating cost for the Jupiter Explorer module to 17.4. (Note: so is this.)
  
• Higher raw material costs from Clipper Mill Alloys increased the price for the Catcher module to 29.8. (Note: and this.)
  
• Higher supply charges drove up the operating cost for the Deep Space Relay module to 3.8. (Note: and this.)
  
• EOS Central raised the operating cost for the Weather Center module to 1.8. (Note: this, however, is something you might want to build! Be sure to read the news and factor it into your plans.)
  
• Space Shuttle Columbia made a spectacular night landing at Cape Canaveral.
  

FredMSloniker fucked around with this message at 04:22 on Jun 2, 2021

• Tell me how many of each module you want. I'll prepare some possible designs and show them to you for your approval. ("I want a Command, a Logistics, two Station Powers, a Life B, a Galley & Gym, a Short Connector, and two Pharmaceutic Labs.")
  
• Describe how you want to orient the Command module - the default orientation is 'east' - and how you want to connect modules to it. ("On the east end of Command, put a Logistics. On the north end, put a Station Power. On the south end, put a Life B, then a Galley & Gym. On the west end, put a Short Connector. On the south end of that Short Connector, put two Pharmaceutic Labs, then another Station Power.")
  
• Copy this into a post:
  
  ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
  ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
  ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
  ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
  ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
  ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
  ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
  ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
  ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
  ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
  ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
  
  Replace sets of five dashes with the first five letters of the module name; ignore any spaces. For instance, the Command module is abbreviated "Comma", while the Long Connector module is abbreviated "LongC". The only exception is the Space Telescope, which is abbreviated "SpacT". (There will be more exceptions in the future as we see other modules with namespace collisions. Abbreviation exceptions will appear at the end of my notes on modules in the second post.) Be sure to fill each space a module fills with the same abbreviation. I'll work out how to actually orient modules to fit in the spaces and connect together.
  
  Mine would look like this (you can trim off unused rows and columns):
  
  ----- ----- Stati ----- ----- -----
  ----- ----- Stati ----- ----- -----
  ----- Short Comma Comma Logis Logis
  Pharm Pharm LifeB ----- ----- -----
  Pharm Pharm LifeB ----- ----- -----
  ----- Stati Galle ----- ----- -----
  ----- Stati Galle ----- ----- -----
  

  1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10    11    12
----- ----- ----- ----- SOLAR SOLAR ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 11
----- ----- ----- ----- SOLAR SOLAR ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 10
----- ----- ----- ----- SOLAR SOLAR ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----  9
----- ----- ----- ----- SOLAR SOLAR GALLE LOGIS ----- ----- ----- -----  8
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- COMMA GALLE LOGIS ----- ----- ----- -----  7
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- COMMA LONGC LONGC LIFEB LIFEB ----- -----  6
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- COMMU COMMU ----- ----- -----  5
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- COMMU COMMU ----- ----- -----  4
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----  3
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----  2
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----  1

berryjon fucked around with this message at 03:24 on May 31, 2021

FredMSloniker fucked around with this message at 03:54 on May 31, 2021

• ▲ Forestry: 288.7 (up 88.7)
  Forestry activities involve extensive study and monitoring of Earth's forests. Sources: Resource Platform.
  
• ▲ Entertainment: 246.7 (up 46.7)
  Entertainment activities involve audio, visual, and holographic transmissions used for entertainment. Sources: Communications.
  
• ▲ Agriculture: 240.9 (up 40.9)
  Agriculture activities involve crop production, study of agriculture regions, and colony food supplies. Sources: Resource Platform, Weather Center.
  
• ▲ Medical: 234.3 (up 34.3)
  Medical activities involve advanced medical treatment and care of patients in a space environment. Sources: Pharmaceutic Lab.
  
• ≈ Information: 209.1 (up 9.1)
  Information activities involve the development of semicondoctor technology and information services. Sources: Communications, Computer Lab.
  
• ≈ Energy: 208.9 (up 8.9)
  Energy activities involve the generation and distribution of solar power in space. Sources: Solar Collector.
  
• ≈ Physics: 206.5 (up 6.5)
  Physics activities involve advancements in physics, weather, astronomy, spectroscopy, electronics and plasma sciences. Sources: Space Telescope, Weather Center.
  
• ≈ Fabrication: 203.9 (up 3.9)
  Fabrication activities involve the production of prefabricated space colony structures from processed ore. Sources: N/A.
  
• ≈ Construction: 203.9 (up 3.9)
  Construction activities involve the construction of space vehicles and stations from fabricated parts. Sources: Building Platform.
  
• ≈ Pharmaceutics: 198.6 (down 1.4)
  Pharmaceutics activities involve the development and production of new pharamceutic products in space. Sources: Pharmaceutic Lab.
  
• ≈ Sciences: 193.1 (down 6.9)
  Sciences activities involve advancements in chemistry, geology, physics, biology, and ceramic sciences. Sources: Chemical Lab, Space Telescope.
  
• ≈ Communications: 187.9 (down 12.1)
  Communications activities involve audio, visual, and holographic transmissions used by information services. Sources: Communications.
  
• ≈ Materials: 186.3 (down 13.7)
  Materials activities involve the development of alloys and processing of raw materials from mined lunar ore. Sources: Chemical Lab.
  
• ≈ Transport: 184.4 (down 15.6)
  Transport activities involve transport of personnel and cargo between space vehicles and Earth. Sources: Shuttle Port.
  
• ▼ Resources: 148.7 (down 51.3)
  Resources activities involve mapping, analysis, and development of Earth's resources. Sources: Resource Platform.
  
• ▼ Biology: 139.5 (down 60.5)
  Biology activities involve the study of Earth life in zero-G space environments and the search for life on other worlds. Sources: N/A.
  

• Space economists said new interest in high tech is expected to boost the physics industry.
  
• After a closed door meeting, Wall Street analyst Jane Walters reported companies have been reluctant to enter the science market.
  
• The profitability of space pharmaceutics has not yet been realized.
  
• During the last quarter, space economists said that Valley Energy has predicted a strong upswing in the energy market.
  
• Space researcher Rodney Pearson said that Middle Fork Chemical produced highly pure compounds in space.
  
• Space Shuttle Atlantis made a perfect landing at Edwards AFB, exciting a large crowd.
  

• Building Platform (▲): The Building Platform already has low base payoff turns, and with the Construction market slowly growing, I predict that I can get away with charging 26.5 this turn.
  
• Computer Lab (▲): Basically the same story as the Building Platform. I can charge 32.4 this turn.
  
• Pharmaceutic Lab (▲▲): With the Medical market rising and the Pharamceutic market more or less steady, I can charge 21.6 this turn.
  
• Shuttle Port (▼▼▼): The Transport market is dropping, making this too much of a risk. I'd have to charge only 68.2, 92% of the base charge, to be confident of getting full usage.
  
• Weather Center (▲▲▲▲): Normally, the Weather Center is a poor investment, but with Agriculture in high demand and Physics on the rise, it might be worth doing. The form factor is an issue, though; making use of the tile its small size frees up may not be worth the hassle. It might be worth pairing it with a Life A.
  
• Resource Platform (▲▲): Forestry and Agriculture are both in demand, but the drop of Resources is concerning. Still, it's better than it usually is.
  
• Solar Collector (≈): It's not a good option unless there's high demand for Energy. There isn't high demand for Energy.
  
• Space Telescope (▼▼▼▼): Normally, this is a decent choice, but with a number of other modules better than they would normally be, something had to drop.
  
• Communications (▲): Slightly less bad this turn. Entertainment is spiking and Information is rising, but Communications is falling, and this module has the worst base payoff to begin with.
  
• Chemical Lab (▼▼▼▼): Sciences and Materials are both down.
  

FredMSloniker fucked around with this message at 05:22 on Jun 1, 2021

• The name of a particular activity module.
  
• How many of that module type the station has that are set to commerce mode.
  
• What the owner is charging for using that module type.
  
• How many of that module type the station has that are set to research mode.
  
• Whether the research mode is enhancements or breakthroughs. (Breakthroughs are worth more than enhancements, but less reliable.) I'll get more into research when it means more than a point score.
  

• The transport industry will continue to grow at a moderate rate.
  
• Forestry satellites have improved forestry management.
  
• The entertainment industry will have favorable growth.
  
• Forestry satellites have improved forestry management.
  
• In a prepared statement, mission director William Grager said researchers report advances in protein crystal production.
  
• According to unnamed sources, EOS Bank officials stated EOS Central announced a price increase for the Space Colony module to 80.1.
  
• Space Industry insiders stated logistics expense has raised the operating cost for the Fabrication Lab module to 5.0.
  
• Skyrocketing maintenance expenses increased the cost of the Chemical Lab module to 3.0.
  
• Logistics expense has raised the operating cost for the Life LH₂ module to 3.0.
  
• According to unnamed sources, a Wall Street report said Hopkins Construction announced a price increase for the Station Power module to 11.9.
  
• Space Shuttle Explorer successfully deployed several space station modules during its mission.
  

• ▲ Agriculture: 264.3 (up 64.3)
  
• ▲ Forestry: 235.1 (up 35.1)
  
• ▲ Medical: 224.6 (up 24.6)
  
• ≈ Communications: 218.4 (up 18.4)
  
• ≈ Information: 211.7 (up 11.7)
  
• ≈ Physics: 207.8 (up 7.8)
  
• ≈ Transport: 206.5 (up 6.5)
  
• ≈ Energy: 205.2 (up 5.2)
  
• ≈ Construction: 205.2 (up 5.2)
  
• ≈ Materials: 196.1 (down 3.9)
  
• ≈ Entertainment: 193.1 (down 6.9)
  
• ≈ Fabrication: 192.2 (down 7.8)
  
• ≈ Sciences: 188.3 (down 11.7)
  
• ▼ Resources: 177.6 (down 22.4)
  
• ▼ Biology: 150.8 (down 49.2)
  
• ▼ Pharmaceutics: 147.1 (down 52.9)
  

FredMSloniker fucked around with this message at 05:23 on Jun 1, 2021

• Forestry satellites have improved forestry management.
  
• Thirty-day weather forecasts from weather satellites now 90% accurate.
  
• There is a demand for new communications satellites.
  
• In an interview, space economist Kevin Vetter said engineering problems have forced delays in several construction projects.
  
• Spring Garden Farms reports higher crop yield by using space technology.
  
• During the last quarter, E & A broker analysts reported EOS Central announced a price increase for the Materials Plant module to 41.3.
  
• Space Shuttle Columbia made a perfect landing at Edwards AFB, exciting a large crowd.
  
• Space Shuttle Farragut was unveiled at a brief ceremony.
  

• ▲ Agriculture: 349.2 (up 84.9)
  
• ▲ Medical: 252.0 (up 27.4)
  
• ≈ Communications: 227.9 (up 9.5)
  
• ≈ Information: 223.8 (up 12.1)
  
• ≈ Physics: 216.7 (up 8.9)
  
• ≈ Forestry: 214.4 (down 20.7)
  
• ≈ Transport: 213.0 (up 6.5)
  
• ≈ Energy: 210.4 (up 5.2)
  
• ≈ Construction: 201.2 (down 4.0)
  
• ≈ Materials: 192.2 (down 3.9)
  
• ≈ Entertainment: 189.2 (down 3.9)
  
• ≈ Fabrication: 184.9 (down 7.3)
  
• ≈ Sciences: 177.8 (down 10.5)
  
• ▼ Resources: 157.7 (down 19.9)
  
• ▼ Biology: 113.8 (down 37.0)
  
• ▼ Pharmaceutics: 108.4 (down 38.7)
  

• The transport industry will continue to grow at a moderate rate. It went up 6.5 that turn and 6.5 this one.
  
• Forestry satellites have improved forestry management (twice). It went up 35.1 that turn, but went down 20.7 this turn.
  
• The entertainment industry will have favorable growth. It went down 6.9 that turn and 3.9 this turn.
  

• One activity: Building Platform (Construction), Computer Lab (Information), Shuttle Port (Transport), and Solar Collector (Energy).
  
• Two activities: Chemical Lab (Sciences and Materials), Pharmaceutic Lab (Pharmaceutics and Medical), Space Telescope (Sciences and Physics), and Weather Center (Physics and Agriculture).
  
• Three activities: Communications (Information, Communications, and Entertainment) and Resource Platform (Resources, Forestry, and Agriculture).
  

FredMSloniker fucked around with this message at 06:47 on Jun 2, 2021

• ▲ Agriculture: 461.5 (up 112.3)
  
• ≈ Medical: 239.8 (down 12.2)
  
• ▲ Forestry: 238.6 (up 24.2)
  
• ≈ Information: 236.8 (up 13.0)
  
• ≈ Communications: 234.4 (up 6.5)
  
• ≈ Physics: 225.8 (up 9.1)
  
• ≈ Transport: 219.9 (up 6.9)
  
• ≈ Energy: 215.6 (up 5.2)
  
• ≈ Construction: 193.4 (down 7.8)
  
• ≈ Materials: 188.3 (down 3.9)
  
• ≈ Entertainment: 185.3 (down 3.9)
  
• ≈ Fabrication: 178.4 (down 6.5)
  
• ≈ Sciences: 167.4 (down 10.4)
  
• ▼ Resources: 140.1 (down 17.6)
  
• ▲ Biology: 129.5 (up 15.7)
  
• ▼ Pharmaceutics: 80.1 (down 28.3)