Official Factorio Wiki - User contributions [en]

Rocket silo

2026-02-24T16:18:30Z

Danie59823: clarified the space age maximum throughput to use exact values

{{languages}}
{{:Infobox:Rocket silo}}
The '''rocket silo''' is an important production building that serves as the sole win condition and a source of [[space science pack]]s in the base game. In [[Space Age]]{{SA}}, it is instead the only way to launch items and the player off [[Nauvis]] to orbiting space platforms to visit the neighboring planets of [[Vulcanus]]{{SA}}, [[Fulgora]]{{SA}}, [[Gleba]]{{SA}}, and [[Aquilo]]{{SA}}.

Building a silo requires, among other things, [[electric engine unit]]s, [[processing unit]]s, and [[concrete]], which all must be produced in [[assembling machine]]s or [[foundry|foundries]] and cannot be crafted by hand from raw materials. The rocket itself can only be produced in the silo.

Once the silo has been built and placed it can be filled with [[processing unit]]s, [[low density structure]], and [[rocket fuel]], which will create [[rocket part]]s within the silo. 100 rocket parts are needed to construct a rocket (50 parts in Space Age{{SA}}). The silo accepts [[productivity module]]s, and due to the high resource cost of rockets, silos are a prime candidate for their use. Once constructed, the rocket will rise into position and can be launched. It is required to place a cargo landing pad somewhere on the planet in order to launch a rocket.

Once a rocket has been constructed, the silo will continue to craft a second rocket within the silo. If both are constructed, once the first rocket has been launched, the second will rise into place without the silo going through its normal animation of closing and reopening its doors. This is particularly useful in Space Age when crafting speeds are faster and rockets are in increased demand.

== Base game ==

The rocket silo is unlocked with its [[rocket silo (research)|respective technology]] using all [[science pack]]s except for military. It requires 10 low density structure, rocket fuel, and processing units to make 1 [[rocket part]], for a total of 1,000 of each for a single rocket.

Before a rocket can be launched, the player must place a [[cargo landing pad]] somewhere on the planet. The landing pad can be anywhere on the planet, with no restrictions on distance from the silo, but only one can be placed.

Launching a rocket requires a payload and launching one for the first time will trigger the victory screen, which thanks the player for playing and invites them to keep growing their factory, with the options of exiting the game, viewing the credits, or continuing the game. The rocket can be launched manually by clicking the "Launch" button. Checking the "Send to orbit automatically" checkbox will make the rocket launch automatically once it has a payload.

Only two items can be used as a payload. The first is a [[satellite]]; launching a rocket with one of these will return a shipment of 1,000 [[space science pack]]s to the cargo landing pad roughly 29 seconds after the launch is triggered. The second is a...

{{Spoiler|button-text=Spoiler! Click to view.|message=
<li>[[Raw fish]]: Grants the "So long and thanks for all the fish!" achievement. Other than this, it also wastes the launch.</li>
}}

== Space Age ==
{{About/Space age}}
=== Basics ===
In Space Age, the silo is unlocked far earlier in the game, requiring 1,000 of only [[automation science pack|automation]], [[logistic science pack|logistics]] and [[chemical science pack|chemical]] science packs. The silo is a critical building for transporting items and the player offplanet to orbiting [[space platform]]s. Rockets are built identically to the base game, except that a single rocket part takes only 1 of each material instead of 10 and only 50 rocket parts are required per rocket. This means that a single rocket requires only 50 of each resource. The silo greatly benefits from higher [[quality]] productivity modules as well as the [[technologies#Infinite Research Exclusive to Space Age|rocket part productivity]] infinite technology, both of which can reduce the cost of rockets even further.

The rocket can be manually launched in one of three ways:
* Deliver cargo: launch with a payload of any size or composition at any orbiting platform
* New platform: if the silo contains exactly one [[space platform starter pack]], clicking this will open the map and invite the player to enter a name for the new platform.
* Travel to platform: the rocket will launch to any orbiting platform with the player as its sole payload. The player can bring any equipped [[armor]], their installed modules, and any weapons, but no ammo for those weapons.

[[File:rocket_silo_gui.png|The rocket silo's GUI in Space Age|310px|right]]

=== Rocket capacity ===
Unlike in the base game, a space age rocket can accept nearly every item in the game as a payload. This is expressed by the silo as a weight limit. Every item in the game has a rocket capacity which is the maximum number of items that can fit in a single rocket. An item's rocket capacity can be read by the circuit network by feeding an item into the [[selector combinator]] and choosing the respective mode of operation. As a general rule of thumb, the more complex the item, the fewer can fit within a rocket.

Some items, like the rocket silo itself and the [[atomic bomb]], are too heavy for rockets, and so the raw materials must be shipped to orbit individually and assembled on the destination planet.

[[Fluids]] cannot be put in rockets, but full [[barrel]]s can. Some fluids cannot be barreled, so they cannot be transported by rocket. This is notably the case for all the fluids that can only be obtained on [[Fulgora]] and [[Aquilo]], except for [[fluoroketone]].

=== Orbital requests ===
The rocket silo can detect requests from any space platform in orbit around the current planet. These can be satisfied in two ways.

* If "Automatic requests from space platforms" is ''not'' selected, the silo acts as a large container. Items can be inserted and removed with [[inserters]]. If the silo receives a full rocket of a single item that is requested, the rocket will automatically launch to the platform requesting that item, even if the payload is more than what is being requested. If multiple platforms are requesting the same item, the rocket will prioritize the earliest platform that the player created.

* If automatic requests ''is'' selected, the silo acts similar to a [[requester chest]]. [[Logistic robot]]s will fill the silo automatically from the [[logistic network]] (including from [[buffer chest]]s), and the rocket will launch automatically when full, unless the requesting platform has set a minimum payload to a lower amount than a full load. If there are items in the rocket inventory when this box is selected, those items will be moved to the silo's trash slots and be removed by logistics robots.

Regardless of option selected, the rocket will only launch automatically when it contains at least one item.

The silo can be connected to the [[circuit network]], with two output functions.
* Output requests: Outputs the sum of requests from all orbiting platforms, if any. A request is considered satisfied and will be removed from the output the instant the rocket launch is triggered, not when the delivery to the platform actually happens.
* Output contents: Outputs the contents of the rocket silo. If automatic requests is selected, this option will do nothing.

== Maximum throughput ==
In the base game, a fully moduled silo has +611% crafting speed from beacons and +40% productivity.

Modules accelerate crafting time in the first phase, but have no effect on animations in the other phases.

There are five phases to a rocket launch.

===== Working =====
Rocket parts must be assembled in the silo before the rocket can be deployed.

The best possible time to assemble 100 rocket parts, based on the rocket part recipe and the module effects, is 1250 ticks, or ~20.833 seconds.

1250 ticks elapsed.

===== Preparing rocket for launch =====
The rocket is brought up out of the silo so a payload can be inserted, if any.

This animation lasts 890 ticks, or ~14.833 seconds.

2140 ticks elapsed.

===== Waiting to launch rocket =====
The payload must be inserted.

One fast inserter arm swing to insert a Satellite is 14 ticks, or ~0.233 seconds.

2154 ticks elapsed.

===== Launching rocket =====
The rocket is launched with the payload. This phase ends when the result inventory appears inside the silo.

1162 ticks, or ~19.367 seconds.

3316 ticks elapsed.

===== Reset =====
The silo door must close before the cycle begins again.

368 ticks, or ~6.133 seconds.

If a second rocket was buffered within the silo, this step is skipped.

=== Conclusions ===
'''Grand Total: 3684 ticks''', which gives a total cycle time of ~61.417 seconds, including time spent building rocket parts and inserting the payload.

With a build time of 1250 + 14, the delay from animations is 2420 ticks.[https://www.reddit.com/r/technicalfactorio/comments/x92gfa/more_empirical_measurements_on_rocket_silos/]

=== Space Age ===
In Space Age, the rocket silo gained the ability to buffer a second rocket ready to load and launch [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-405]. If a second rocket is ready, then the rocket silo skips the door close/open animation.
This means the only stages that take place are preparing, loading and launching the rocket. The preparing animation lasts 684 ticks (11.4 seconds) and the launch animation lasts 933 ticks (15.55 seconds).
Assuming the loading is instant, this results in a rocket launch every 1617 ticks (26.95 seconds), with sufficient speed and/or productivity bonuses (enough to get <math>\frac{1000}{539}</math> (~1.85) rocket parts per second, or ~111 rocket parts per minute).

== Achievements ==
The rocket silo, which is used to win the base game, is directly connected to the following game-win-based achievements:
{{Achievement|smoke-me-a-kipper-i-will-be-back-for-breakfast}}
{{Achievement|no-time-for-chitchat}}
{{Achievement|there-is-no-spoon}}
{{Achievement|raining-bullets}}
{{Achievement|steam-all-the-way}}
{{Achievement|logistic-network-embargo}}
{{Achievement|so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-fish}}

== Trivia ==
Prior to version [[version history/2.0.0#2.0.7|2.0]], the rocket could accept any item as cargo; however, most did nothing in particular and simply wasted the launch. Notable exceptions included:

{{Spoiler|button-text=Spoiler! Click to view.|message=
<ul><li> [[Vehicle]]s : When a vehicle was inserted into the payload slot, the player could enter the rocket like they would any other vehicle, then launch and ride it.
<ul><li> This allowed a fast-moving view of one's base (as the game world is internally 2-dimensional, the rocket actually simply moved north along the map), and then returned the player next to the launching silo once the launch animation had finished.
<ul><li> If all space near the rocket silo is occupied, the player is placed at spawn instead.</li>
<li> Wasted the launch, as the rocket's sole payload slot is occupied by the vehicle, rather than a satellite. (Having any number of satellites in the car's trunk or the "astronaut"s inventory does not count.)</li></ul></li>
<li>[[Space science pack]]: Returned one [[raw fish]] for every science pack that was launched, but no more than 100 raw fishes per launch.</li></ul>}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths=240px heights=240px>
File:Victoryv2.jpg|The victory screen
File:rocket_silo_rising_rocket.gif|The rocket rising and being primed for launch.
File:rocket_silo_launch.gif|The rocket launching.
File:Rocket_silo_gui_base_game.png|The rocket silo's GUI
File:Rocket_silo_gui_space_age.png|The rocket silo's GUI in Space Age
</gallery>

== History ==

{{history|2.0.7|
* Updated sprite for the rocket. A payload is now required to win the game.
* Rocket silos continue producing parts for the next rocket while the current rocket is being launched. Completing another rocket soon enough skips closing and reopening the doors.
* {{SA}} Rocket silo circuit connection can read orbital requests.}}

{{history|0.17.0|
* Updated sprite and changed dimensions from 9×10 to 9×9. A satellite is no longer required to win the game.}}

{{history|0.13.9|
* Rocket parts from building rockets in the silo now show in production statistics.}}

{{history|0.12.7|
* Updated icon.}}

{{history|0.12.4|
* Rocket silo now behaves correctly when out of electricity.}}

{{history|0.12.0|
* Introduced}}

== See also ==
* [[Satellite]]

{{SpaceNav}}
{{C|Space related}}

Follower robot count (research)

2026-02-01T14:37:11Z

Danie59823: added destroyer capsule hyperlink

{{Languages}}
{{:Infobox:Follower robot count (research)}}

'''Follower robot count (research)''' increases the maximum number of follower robots that can follow the player at any point in time. This limit counts for [[Defender capsule|Defenders]] and [[Destroyer capsule|Destroyers]]. [[Distractor capsule|Distractors]] do not count against the follower limit.

''Remember that the cumulative effect starts with 10 due to researching [[defender (research)]] giving +4 to max followers.''

{| class="wikitable"
! Technology !! Cost !! Effects !! Cumulative effect
|-
| {{Icontech|Follower robot count (research)|1}} Follower robot count 1 || {{Icon|Time|30}} {{Icon|Automation science pack|1}} {{Icon|Logistic science pack|1}} {{Icon|Military science pack|1}} ✖ <big>100</big> || 5 || 10
|-
| {{Icontech|Follower robot count (research)|2}} Follower robot count 2 || {{Icon|Time|30}} {{Icon|Automation science pack|1}} {{Icon|Logistic science pack|1}} {{Icon|Military science pack|1}} ✖ <big>200</big> || 10 || 20
|-
| {{Icontech|Follower robot count (research)|3}} Follower robot count 3 || {{Icon|Time|30}} {{Icon|Automation science pack|1}} {{Icon|Logistic science pack|1}} {{Icon|Military science pack|1}} {{Icon|Chemical science pack|1}} ✖ <big>300</big> || 10 || 30
|-
| {{Icontech|Follower robot count (research)|4}} Follower robot count 4 || {{Icon|Time|30}} {{Icon|Automation science pack|1}} {{Icon|Logistic science pack|1}} {{Icon|Military science pack|1}} {{Icon|Chemical science pack|1}} {{Icon|Utility science pack|1}} ✖ <big>400</big> || 20 || 50
|-
| {{Icontech|Follower robot count (research)|5-∞}} Follower robot count 5-∞ || {{Icon|Time|30}} {{Icon|Automation science pack|1}} {{Icon|Logistic science pack|1}} {{Icon|Military science pack|1}} {{Icon|Chemical science pack|1}} {{Icon|Production science pack|1}} {{Icon|Utility science pack|1}} {{Icon|Space science pack|1}} ✖ <big> {{Key|1000*(Level-4)}}</big> (eg. 1000 for level 5, 2000 for level 6) || 25 || {{Key|50+25*(Level-4)}}
|}

Note that a maximum theoretical number of 1200 deployed robots is achieved using [[Destroyer capsule|destroyer capsules]]. This is reached at level 50 and researching past that level will have no practical effect on the maximum number of deployed robots.

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|minions}}
This achievement requires follower robot count level 6 for a total of 100 robots. In the base game, three rocket launches are needed to obtain the space science packs to get to and research level 6.

== See also ==
* [[Research]]
* [[Technologies]]

{{TechNav}}

Follower robot count (research)

2026-02-01T14:36:17Z

Danie59823: Added notes on the practical limit to follower robot count

{{Languages}}
{{:Infobox:Follower robot count (research)}}

'''Follower robot count (research)''' increases the maximum number of follower robots that can follow the player at any point in time. This limit counts for [[Defender capsule|Defenders]] and [[Destroyer capsule|Destroyers]]. [[Distractor capsule|Distractors]] do not count against the follower limit.

''Remember that the cumulative effect starts with 10 due to researching [[defender (research)]] giving +4 to max followers.''

{| class="wikitable"
! Technology !! Cost !! Effects !! Cumulative effect
|-
| {{Icontech|Follower robot count (research)|1}} Follower robot count 1 || {{Icon|Time|30}} {{Icon|Automation science pack|1}} {{Icon|Logistic science pack|1}} {{Icon|Military science pack|1}} ✖ <big>100</big> || 5 || 10
|-
| {{Icontech|Follower robot count (research)|2}} Follower robot count 2 || {{Icon|Time|30}} {{Icon|Automation science pack|1}} {{Icon|Logistic science pack|1}} {{Icon|Military science pack|1}} ✖ <big>200</big> || 10 || 20
|-
| {{Icontech|Follower robot count (research)|3}} Follower robot count 3 || {{Icon|Time|30}} {{Icon|Automation science pack|1}} {{Icon|Logistic science pack|1}} {{Icon|Military science pack|1}} {{Icon|Chemical science pack|1}} ✖ <big>300</big> || 10 || 30
|-
| {{Icontech|Follower robot count (research)|4}} Follower robot count 4 || {{Icon|Time|30}} {{Icon|Automation science pack|1}} {{Icon|Logistic science pack|1}} {{Icon|Military science pack|1}} {{Icon|Chemical science pack|1}} {{Icon|Utility science pack|1}} ✖ <big>400</big> || 20 || 50
|-
| {{Icontech|Follower robot count (research)|5-∞}} Follower robot count 5-∞ || {{Icon|Time|30}} {{Icon|Automation science pack|1}} {{Icon|Logistic science pack|1}} {{Icon|Military science pack|1}} {{Icon|Chemical science pack|1}} {{Icon|Production science pack|1}} {{Icon|Utility science pack|1}} {{Icon|Space science pack|1}} ✖ <big> {{Key|1000*(Level-4)}}</big> (eg. 1000 for level 5, 2000 for level 6) || 25 || {{Key|50+25*(Level-4)}}
|}

Note that a maximum theoretical number of 1200 deployed robots is achieved using destroyer capsules. This is reached at level 50 and researching past that level will have no practical effect on the maximum number of deployed robots.

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|minions}}
This achievement requires follower robot count level 6 for a total of 100 robots. In the base game, three rocket launches are needed to obtain the space science packs to get to and research level 6.

== See also ==
* [[Research]]
* [[Technologies]]

{{TechNav}}

Technologies

2026-02-01T14:10:26Z

Danie59823: Added notes on the practical limit to follower robot count

{{Languages}}
[[File:Technology tree.png|thumb|right|280px|The base game technology tree − Click to enlarge.]]
[[File:tech_bonuses.png|thumb|right|280px|Researched tech bonuses.]]
'''Technologies''' are series of [[research]] projects that provide various enhancements. Some technologies unlock new items or recipes, while others provide bonuses.

Most technologies can be researched in [[lab]]s by consuming [[science pack]]s of various types. For example, the [[Logistics (research)|Logistics]] technology can be unlocked by placing 20 [[automation science pack]]s into labs while the technology is selected for research. Besides, [[#Trigger_technologies|some technologies]] will automatically unlock after meeting specific conditions, without consumption of any science packs.

== Infinite technologies ==

While most technologies in Factorio are either one-off or have a finite, relatively small number of levels available, a few are "infinite", meaning the player can research as many levels as they can afford. All of them unlock bonuses to existing technologies, never new structures or abilities. The per-level bonuses are constant for a particular infinite technologies and, like finite research bonuses, are additive within a single technology. They are subject to diminishing returns; thus, the per-level and per-science pack contributions from very high levels of infinite technologies will eventually provide only marginal improvements.

All base game infinite technologies levels require [[space science pack]]s, and are also the only technologies that do. As such, they are late-game technologies intended primarily for players who wish to continue playing and expand their factory past the nominal victory condition of launching a rocket.

Infinite technologies are identified in-game by a small <code>∞</code> infinity symbol shown in the top right corner of the research technology's card in the research screen.

Most infinite technologies are continuations of ordinary multi-level technologies; the "infinite" mechanic becomes effective once the player reaches the card initially labeled with <code>N - ∞</code> in the research tree. In the base game, only the two [[artillery]]-related technologies (artillery shell [[artillery shell range (research)|range]] and [[artillery shell shooting speed (research)|shooting speed]]) are infinite-only; for these, <code>1 - ∞</code> is shown before any levels in them are researched. In either case, once the first infinite level is researched, the card label switches to the one discussed above.

=== Pricing formulas ===

The price of all infinite technologies is generated in a [[Wikipedia:Progression|mathematical progression]]; for the majority of technologies, the progression is [[Wikipedia:Geometric_progression|geometric]], mostly in powers of 2. Two technologies - [[mining productivity (research)|mining productivity]] and [[follower robot count (research)|follower robot count]] - use an [[Wikipedia:Arithmetic_progression|arithmetic progression]] instead.

The table below summarizes for all infinite researches their first infinite level, the cost of the first few infinite levels, the cost formula and the per-level bonus.

We denote by <code>N</code> the current level of the research, by <code>F</code> the final non-infinite level of the research (hence F+1 is the first "infinite" level) and by <code>P[N]</code> the price of the research at level <code>N</code>.

{|class="wikitable"
! Technology !! Category !! Bonus !! Science Packs !! F+1 !! P[N] !! P[F+1] !! P[F+2] !! P[F+3] !! P[F+4] !! P[F+5] !! ...
|-
| {{Icontech|Mining productivity (research)}} [[Mining productivity (research)|Mining productivity]] || Productivity || +10% Mining productivity || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Production science pack}} {{icon|Utility science pack}} {{icon|Space science pack}} || style=text-align:center|4 || 2,500 × (N - F) || style=text-align:center|2,500 || style=text-align:center|5,000 || style=text-align:center|7,500 || style=text-align:center|10,000 || style=text-align:center|12,500 || style=text-align:center|+2500
|-
| {{Icontech|Physical projectile damage (research)}} [[Physical projectile damage (research)|Physical projectile damage]] || rowspan="4" | Weapon Damage || +40% Bullet damage +70% Gun turret damage +40% Shotgun shell damage +100% Cannon shell damage || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Military science pack}} {{icon|Utility science pack}} {{icon|Space science pack}} || style=text-align:center|7 || 1,000 × 2^(N - F - 1) || style=text-align:center|1,000 || style=text-align:center|2,000 || style=text-align:center|4,000 || style=text-align:center|8,000 || style=text-align:center|16,000 || style=text-align:center|×2
|-
| {{Icontech|Stronger explosives (research)}} [[Stronger explosives (research)|Stronger explosives]] || +50% Rocket damage +20% Grenade damage +20% Land mine damage || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Military science pack}} {{icon|Utility science pack}} {{icon|Space science pack}} || style=text-align:center|7 || 1,000 × 2^(N - F - 1) || style=text-align:center|1,000 || style=text-align:center|2,000 || style=text-align:center|4,000 || style=text-align:center|8,000 || style=text-align:center|16,000 || style=text-align:center|×2
|-
| {{Icontech|Refined flammables (research)}} [[Refined flammables (research)|Refined flammables]] || +20% Fire damage +20% Flamethrower turret damage || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Military science pack}} {{icon|Utility science pack}} {{icon|Space science pack}} || style=text-align:center|7 || 1,000 × 2^(N - F - 1) || style=text-align:center|1,000 || style=text-align:center|2,000 || style=text-align:center|4,000 || style=text-align:center|8,000 || style=text-align:center|16,000 || style=text-align:center|×2
|-
| {{Icontech|Energy weapons damage (research)}} [[Energy weapons damage (research)|Energy weapons damage]] || +70% Laser damage +70% Electric damage +30% Beam damage || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Military science pack}} {{icon|Utility science pack}} {{icon|Space science pack}} || style=text-align:center|7 || 1,000 × 2^(N - F - 1) || style=text-align:center|1,000 || style=text-align:center|2,000 || style=text-align:center|4,000 || style=text-align:center|8,000 || style=text-align:center|16,000 || style=text-align:center|×2
|-
| {{Icontech|Artillery shell range (research)}} [[Artillery shell range (research)|Artillery shell range]] || rowspan="3" | Non-Damage Weapon Bonus || +30% Artillery shell range || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Military science pack}} {{icon|Utility science pack}} {{icon|Space science pack}} || style=text-align:center|1 || 1,000 × 2^N || style=text-align:center|2,000 || style=text-align:center|4,000 || style=text-align:center|8,000 || style=text-align:center|16,000 || style=text-align:center|32,000 || style=text-align:center|×2
|-
| style="white-space: nowrap" | {{Icontech|Artillery shell shooting speed (research)}} [[Artillery shell shooting speed (research)|Artillery shell shooting speed]] || +100% Artillery shell shooting speed || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Military science pack}} {{icon|Utility science pack}} {{icon|Space science pack}} || style=text-align:center|1 || 1,000 + 1,000 × 3^(N - 1) || style=text-align:center|2,000 || style=text-align:center|4,000 || style=text-align:center|10,000 || style=text-align:center|28,000 || style=text-align:center|82,000 || style=text-align:center|×3 then - 2,000
|-
| {{Icontech|Follower robot count (research)}} [[Follower robot count (research)|Follower robot count]] || +25 Maximum following robots || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Military science pack}} {{icon|Production science pack}} {{icon|Utility science pack}} {{icon|Space science pack}} || style=text-align:center|5 || 1,000 × (N - F) || style=text-align:center|1,000 || style=text-align:center|2,000 || style=text-align:center|3,000 || style=text-align:center|4,000 || style=text-align:center|5,000 || style=text-align:center|+1,000
|-
| {{Icontech|Worker robot speed (research)}} [[Worker robot speed (research)|Worker robot speed]] || Other || +65% Worker robot speed || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Production science pack}} {{icon|Utility science pack}} {{icon|Space science pack}} || style=text-align:center|6 || 1,000 × 2^(N - F - 1) || style=text-align:center|1,000 || style=text-align:center|2,000 || style=text-align:center|4,000 || style=text-align:center|8,000 || style=text-align:center|16,000 || style=text-align:center|×2
|}

==== Space Age ====
The table below summarizes all the infinite technologies in Space Age. Some are unique to Space Age, while some have their price and/or effect changed from the base game.

Due to the introduction of [[Tesla weapons (research)|tesla weapons]], the [[Energy weapons damage (research)|energy weapons damage]] technology is split into [[Laser weapons damage (research)|laser weapons damage]] and [[Electric weapons damage (research)|electric weapons damage]].

{|class="wikitable"
! Technology !! Category !! Bonus !! Science Packs !! F+1 !! P[N] !! P[F+1] !! ...
|-
| {{Icontech|Mining productivity (research)}} [[Mining productivity (research)|Mining productivity]] || rowspan="2" | Productivity || +10% Mining productivity || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Production science pack}} || style=text-align:center|3 || 1,000 × (N - F) || style=text-align:center|1,000 || style=text-align:center|+1,000
|-
| {{Icontech|Research productivity (research)}} [[Research productivity (research)|Research productivity]] {{SA}} || +10% Lab research productivity || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Military science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Production science pack}} {{icon|Utility science pack}} {{icon|Space science pack}} {{icon|Metallurgic science pack}} {{icon|Electromagnetic science pack}} {{icon|Agricultural science pack}} {{icon|Cryogenic science pack}} {{icon|Promethium science pack}} || style=text-align:center|1 || 1,000 × 1.2^N || style=text-align:center|1,200 || style=text-align:center|×1.2
|-
| {{Icontech|Steel plate productivity (research)}} [[Steel plate productivity (research)|Steel plate productivity]] {{SA}} || rowspan="8" | Recipe Productivity (no effect beyond level 30) || +10% Steel plate productivity +10% Casting steel productivity || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Production science pack}} || style=text-align:center|1 || 1,000 × 1.5^N || style=text-align:center|1,500 || style=text-align:center|×1.5
|-
| style="white-space: nowrap" | {{Icontech|Low density structure productivity (research)}} [[Low density structure productivity (research)|Low density structure productivity]] {{SA}} || +10% Low density structure productivity +10% Casting low density structure productivity || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Production science pack}} {{icon|Metallurgic science pack}} || style=text-align:center|1 || 1,000 × 1.5^N || style=text-align:center|1,500 || style=text-align:center|×1.5
|-
| {{Icontech|Scrap recycling productivity (research)}} [[Scrap recycling productivity (research)|Scrap recycling productivity]] {{SA}} || +10% Scrap recycling productivity || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Production science pack}} {{icon|Electromagnetic science pack}} || style=text-align:center|1 || 500 × 1.5^N || style=text-align:center|750 || style=text-align:center|×1.5
|-
| {{Icontech|Processing unit productivity (research)}} [[Processing unit productivity (research)|Processing unit productivity]] {{SA}} || +10% Processing unit productivity || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Production science pack}} {{icon|Electromagnetic science pack}} || style=text-align:center|1 || 1,000 × 1.5^N || style=text-align:center|1,500 || style=text-align:center|×1.5
|-
| {{Icontech|Plastic bar productivity (research)}} [[Plastic bar productivity (research)|Plastic bar productivity]] {{SA}} || +10% Plastic bar productivity +10% Bioplastic productivity || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Production science pack}} {{icon|Agricultural science pack}} || style=text-align:center|1 || 1,000 × 1.5^N || style=text-align:center|1,500 || style=text-align:center|×1.5
|-
| {{Icontech|Rocket fuel productivity (research)}} [[Rocket fuel productivity (research)|Rocket fuel productivity]] {{SA}} || +10% Rocket fuel productivity +10% Rocket fuel from jelly productivity +10% Ammonia rocket fuel productivity || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Production science pack}} {{icon|Agricultural science pack}} || style=text-align:center|1 || 1,000 × 1.5^N || style=text-align:center|1,500 || style=text-align:center|×1.5
|-
| {{Icontech|Asteroid productivity (research)}} [[Asteroid productivity (research)|Asteroid productivity]] {{SA}} || +10% Carbonic asteroid crushing productivity +10% Oxide asteroid crushing productivity +10% Metallic asteroid crushing productivity +10% Advanced carbonic asteroid productivity +10% Advanced oxide asteroid crushing productivity +10% Advanced metallic asteroid crushing productivity || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Production science pack}} {{icon|Utility science pack}} {{icon|Space science pack}} {{icon|Agricultural science pack}} || style=text-align:center|1 || 1,000 × 1.5^N || style=text-align:center|1,500 || style=text-align:center|×1.5
|-
| {{Icontech|Rocket part productivity (research)}} [[Rocket part productivity (research)|Rocket part productivity]] {{SA}} || +10% Rocket part productivity || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Production science pack}} {{icon|Cryogenic science pack}} || style=text-align:center|1 || 2,000 × 1.5^N || style=text-align:center|3,000 || style=text-align:center|×1.5
|-
| {{Icontech|Physical projectile damage (research)}} [[Physical projectile damage (research)|Physical projectile damage]] || rowspan="7" | Weapon Damage || +20% Bullet damage +20% Gun turret damage +40% Shotgun shell damage +100% Cannon shell damage || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Military science pack}} {{icon|Utility science pack}} {{icon|Space science pack}} || style=text-align:center|7 || 1,000 × 2^(N - F - 1) || style=text-align:center|1,000 || style=text-align:center|×2
|-
| {{Icontech|Laser weapons damage (research)}} [[Laser weapons damage (research)|Laser weapons damage]] {{SA}} || +70% Laser damage || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Military science pack}} {{icon|Utility science pack}} {{icon|Space science pack}} || style=text-align:center|7 || 1,000 × 2^(N - F - 1) || style=text-align:center|1,000 || style=text-align:center|×2
|-
| {{Icontech|Artillery shell damage (research)}} [[Artillery shell damage (research)|Artillery shell damage]] {{SA}} || +10% Artillery shell damage || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Military science pack}} {{icon|Utility science pack}} {{icon|Space science pack}} {{icon|Metallurgic science pack}} || style=text-align:center|1 || 1,000 × 2^(N - 1) || style=text-align:center|1,000 || style=text-align:center|×2
|-
| {{Icontech|Stronger explosives (research)}} [[Stronger explosives (research)|Stronger explosives]] || +50% Rocket damage +20% Grenade damage +20% Land mine damage || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Military science pack}} {{icon|Utility science pack}} {{icon|Space science pack}} {{icon|Agricultural science pack}} || style=text-align:center|7 || 1,000 × 2^(N - F - 1) || style=text-align:center|1,000 || style=text-align:center|×2
|-
| {{Icontech|Refined flammables (research)}} [[Refined flammables (research)|Refined flammables]] || +20% Fire damage +20% Flamethrower turret damage || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Military science pack}} {{icon|Utility science pack}} {{icon|Space science pack}} {{icon|Agricultural science pack}} || style=text-align:center|7 || 1,000 × 2^(N - F - 1) || style=text-align:center|1,000 || style=text-align:center|×2
|-
| {{Icontech|Electric weapons damage (research)}} [[Electric weapons damage (research)|Electric weapons damage]] {{SA}} || +70% Tesla damage +70% Electric damage +30% Beam damage || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Military science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Utility science pack}} {{icon|Space science pack}} {{icon|Electromagnetic science pack}} || style=text-align:center|4 || 1,000 × 2^(N - F) || style=text-align:center|2,000 || style=text-align:center|×2
|-
| {{Icontech|Railgun damage (research)}} [[Railgun damage (research)|Railgun damage]] {{SA}} || +40% Railgun damage || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Military science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Utility science pack}} {{icon|Space science pack}} {{icon|Metallurgic science pack}} {{icon|Agricultural science pack}} || style=text-align:center|1 || 1,000 × 2^(N - 1) || style=text-align:center|1,000 || style=text-align:center|×2
|-
| {{Icontech|Artillery shell range (research)}} [[Artillery shell range (research)|Artillery shell range]] || rowspan="4" | Non-Damage Weapon Bonus || +30% Artillery shell range || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Military science pack}} {{icon|Utility science pack}} {{icon|Space science pack}} {{icon|Metallurgic science pack}} || style=text-align:center|1 || 1,000 × 2^(N - 1) || style=text-align:center|1,000 || style=text-align:center|×2
|-
| {{Icontech|Artillery shell shooting speed (research)}} [[Artillery shell shooting speed (research)|Artillery shell shooting speed]] || +100% Artillery shell shooting speed || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Military science pack}} {{icon|Utility science pack}} {{icon|Space science pack}} {{icon|Metallurgic science pack}} || style=text-align:center|1 || 1,000 × 2^(N - 1) || style=text-align:center|1,000 || style=text-align:center|×2
|-
| {{Icontech|Railgun shooting speed (research)}} [[Railgun shooting speed (research)|Railgun shooting speed]] {{SA}} || +15% Railgun shooting speed || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Military science pack}} {{icon|Utility science pack}} {{icon|Space science pack}} {{icon|Electromagnetic science pack}} {{icon|Cryogenic science pack}} || style=text-align:center|1 || 1,000 × 2^(N - 1) || style=text-align:center|1,000 || style=text-align:center|×2
|-
| {{Icontech|Follower robot count (research)}} [[Follower robot count (research)|Follower robot count]] || +25 Maximum following robots || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Military science pack}} {{icon|Production science pack}} {{icon|Utility science pack}} {{icon|Space science pack}} || style=text-align:center|5 || 1,000 × (N - F) || style=text-align:center|1,000 || style=text-align:center|+1,000
|-
| {{Icontech|Worker robot speed (research)}} [[Worker robot speed (research)|Worker robot speed ]] || rowspan="2" | Other || +65% Worker robot speed || {{icon|Automation science pack}} {{icon|Logistic science pack}} {{icon|Chemical science pack}} {{icon|Production science pack}} {{icon|Utility science pack}} {{icon|Space science pack}} {{icon|Electromagnetic science pack}} || style=text-align:center|7 || 1,000 × 2^(N - F) || style=text-align:center|2,000 || style=text-align:center|×2
|-
| {{Icontech|Health (research)}} [[Health (research)|Health]] {{SA}} || +50 Character health || {{icon|Military science pack}} {{icon|Utility science pack}} {{icon|Agricultural science pack}} || style=text-align:center|1 || 50 × 2^N || style=text-align:center|100 || style=text-align:center|×2
|}

=== Cumulative cost ===

As the price of most infinite technologies (specifically, those based on geometric progressions) increases very steeply, it may be a good idea for players to set realistic target levels for each of the infinite technologies they wish to pursue, and make their factory plans accordingly. To that end, the following properties of cumulative infinite research prices may be useful:

#For infinite technologies whose underlying equation is a powers-of-two geometric series, the cumulative price of the first <code>N - F</code> infinite levels (skipping the first <code>F</code> level, so counting "infinite" levels only) is <code>2 × P[N] - P[F+1]</code>; i.e., twice the price of the final researched level, less the price of the first "infinite" level.
#*As ''N'' increases, this is approximated well by <code>2 × P[N] = P[N+1]</code>, so the cumulative cost of researching to level <code>N</code> is about as much as researching level <code>N+1</code>.
#*If one decides a level <code>M</code> which one considers the "highest feasible" with their current science pack production capacity, expanding said capacity by a factor of <code>X</code> will allow about <code>log[2](X)</code> additional levels to be researched before the next level takes longer to research with the expanded capacity than level <code>M + 1</code> would have taken with the pre-expansion production capacity.
#*For example, if one expands production capacity by a factor of 10, they will be able to research at least <code>floor(log[2](10)) = 3</code> and at most <code>ceiling(log[2](10)) = 4</code> additional levels in a given technology before the exponential increase in price negates the speed benefits of their ×10 capacity expansion.
#The cumulative price of the first <code>N - F</code> levels of infinite technologies whose underlying equation is an arithmetic series is <code>(N - F) × (P[N] + P[F + 1]) ÷ 2</code>; i.e, <code>N - F</code> times the mean of the prices of the first and last "infinite" level. For the [[Follower robot count (research)]], an additional <code>900 × (N-F)</code> need to be added.
#*Expanding production capacity by a factor of <code>X</code>, as above, will in this case allow an additional <code>N × (X - 1)</code> levels to be researched before the benefit of the expansion is wiped out (i.e., research progress speed drops to or below what it was pre-expansion).
#The cumulative price of the first '''''N''''' levels of '''artillery shell shooting speed''', the sole infinite technology whose underlying equation is a powers-of-three geometric series (equation type (2)) is <code>1.5 × P[N] - 0.5 × P[1]</code>; i.e., 1.5 times the price of the final researched level, less half the price of the first level.

Note that these prices reflect '''research units''', which will not be equal to science packs if [[productivity module|productivity modules]] are used in labs. (In that case, the science pack requirement will be lower.)

=== Infinite research limits ===

[[Follower robot count (research)|Follower robot count]] is limited by the rate at which capsules can be thrown out. 2 [[Destroyer capsule|Destroyer capsules]] can be thrown out per second, creating 10 robots per second. With a lifetime of 120s, this allows a theoretical maximum of 1200 robots to be deployed at once. This maximum is reached at level 50 and researching past that level will have no practical effect on the maximum number of deployed robots.

==== Space Age ====

All recipes have a maximum productivity of 300%. This was [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-375 primarily done to prevent infinite resource exploits] involving the [[recycler]]{{SA}} and its 25% return of input items. This cap puts a hard limit on the effectiveness of most infinite productivity researches. It can be researched past level 30, but it will have no practical effect.

Note that miners are not crafting machines that execute recipes, nor are labs. As such, [[mining productivity (research)]] and [[research productivity (research)]]{{SA}} have no limit.

The [[Railgun shooting speed (research)|railgun turret's shooting speed]] is limited by its [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?p=673363#p673363 animation], which means it can't shoot faster than 0.845 times per second (once per 71 [[Time#Tick|ticks]]). This shooting speed is reached at level 10 and researching past that level will have no practical effect on the railgun turret, however it '''will''' continue to increase the shooting speed of the hand-held [[railgun]].

== Trigger technologies ==
The technologies listed below are researched by the player performing certain actions (usually mining or crafting a specific item) instead of by using science packs in labs.

=== Nauvis ===
{|class="wikitable"
! Technology !! Research trigger
|-
| {{Icontech|Steam power (research)}} [[Steam power (research)|Steam power]] || Craft 50 [[iron plate]]
|-
| {{Icontech|Electronics (research)}} [[Electronics (research)|Electronics]] || Craft 10 [[copper plate]]
|-
| {{Icontech|Automation science pack (research)}} [[Automation science pack (research)|Automation science pack]] || Craft a [[lab]]
|-
| {{Icontech|Steel axe (research)}} [[Steel axe (research)|Steel axe]] || Craft 50 [[steel plate]]
|-
| {{Icontech|Oil processing (research)}} [[Oil processing (research)|Oil processing]] || Mine [[crude oil]]
|-
| {{Icontech|Uranium processing (research)}} [[Uranium processing (research)|Uranium processing]] || Mine [[uranium ore]]
|-
| {{Icontech|Biter egg handling (research)}} [[Biter egg handling (research)|Biter egg handling]] {{SA}} || Capture a [[Enemies#Nests|biter/spitter spawner]]
|}

=== Space {{SA}}===
{|class="wikitable"
! Technology !! Research trigger
|-
| {{Icontech|Space platform (research)}} [[Space platform (research)|Space platform]] {{SA}} || Launch a [[space platform starter pack]]
|-
| {{Icontech|Space science pack (research)}} [[Space science pack (research)|Space science pack]] {{SA}} || Craft an [[asteroid collector]]
|}

=== Fulgora {{SA}}===
{|class="wikitable"
! Technology !! Research trigger
|-
| {{Icontech|Recycling (research)}} [[Recycling (research)|Recycling]] {{SA}} || Mine [[Fulgoran vault ruin]]
|-
| {{Icontech|Holmium processing (research)}} [[Holmium processing (research)|Holmium processing]] {{SA}} || Craft [[holmium ore]]
|-
| {{Icontech|Electromagnetic plant (research)}} [[Electromagnetic plant (research)|Electromagnetic plant]] {{SA}} || Craft 50 [[holmium plate]]
|-
| {{Icontech|Electromagnetic science pack (research)}} [[Electromagnetic science pack (research)|Electromagnetic science pack]] {{SA}} || Craft [[supercapacitor]]
|}

=== Gleba {{SA}}===
{|class="wikitable"
! Technology !! Research trigger
|-
| {{Icontech|Jellynut (research)}} [[Jellynut (research)|Jellynut]] {{SA}} || Mine [[jellystem]]
|-
| {{Icontech|Yumako (research)}} [[Yumako (research)|Yumako]] {{SA}} || Mine [[yumako tree]]
|-
| {{Icontech|Heating tower (research)}} [[Heating tower (research)|Heating tower]] {{SA}} || Mine [[copper stromatolite]]
|-
| {{Icontech|Agriculture (research)}} [[Agriculture (research)|Agriculture]] {{SA}} || Mine [[iron stromatolite]]
|-
| {{Icontech|Biochamber (research)}} [[Biochamber (research)|Biochamber]] {{SA}} || Craft 10 [[nutrients]]
|-
| {{Icontech|Artificial soil (research)}} [[Artificial soil (research)|Artificial soil]] {{SA}} || Craft 500 [[nutrients]]
|-
| {{Icontech|Bioflux (research)}} [[Bioflux (research)|Bioflux]] {{SA}} || Craft [[biochamber]]
|-
| {{Icontech|Bacteria cultivation (research)}} [[Bacteria cultivation (research)|Bacteria cultivation]] {{SA}} || Craft [[bioflux]]
|-
| {{Icontech|Bioflux processing (research)}} [[Bioflux processing (research)|Bioflux processing]] {{SA}} || Craft 25 [[bioflux]]
|-
| {{Icontech|Agricultural science pack (research)}} [[Agricultural science pack (research)|Agricultural science pack]] {{SA}} || Craft 100 [[bioflux]]
|}

=== Vulcanus {{SA}}===
{|class="wikitable"
! Technology !! Research trigger
|-
| {{Icontech|Tungsten carbide (research)}} [[Tungsten carbide (research)|Tungsten carbide]] {{SA}} || Mine [[Rock|big volcanic rock]]
|-
| {{Icontech|Calcite processing (research)}} [[Calcite processing (research)|Calcite processing]] {{SA}} || Mine [[calcite]]
|-
| {{Icontech|Foundry (research)}} [[Foundry (research)|Foundry]] {{SA}} || Craft [[tungsten carbide]]
|-
| {{Icontech|Big mining drill (research)}} [[Big mining drill (research)|Big mining drill]] {{SA}} || Craft a [[foundry]]
|-
| {{Icontech|Tungsten steel (research)}} [[Tungsten steel (research)|Tungsten steel]] {{SA}} || Craft a [[big mining drill]]
|-
| {{Icontech|Metallurgic science pack (research)}} [[Metallurgic science pack (research)|Metallurgic science pack]] {{SA}} || Craft [[tungsten plate]]
|}

=== Aquilo {{SA}}===
{|class="wikitable"
! Technology !! Research trigger
|-
| {{Icontech|Lithium processing (research)}} [[Lithium processing (research)|Lithium processing]] {{SA}} || Mine [[Lithium ice formation|big lithium ice formation]]
|-
| {{Icontech|Cryogenic plant (research)}} [[Cryogenic plant (research)|Cryogenic plant]] {{SA}} || Craft [[lithium plate]]
|-
| {{Icontech|Cryogenic science pack (research)}} [[Cryogenic science pack (research)|Cryogenic science pack]] {{SA}} || Craft [[cryogenic plant]]
|}

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|tech-maniac}}
* Completing infinite technologies of any level is not required for '''Tech maniac'''. All non-infinite levels of technologies that have infinite continuations are still required.

== History ==
{{history|2.0.7|
* Introduced trigger technologies (https://www.factorio.com/blog/post/fff-376)
}}

== See also ==

* [[Research]]
* [[Science pack]]

{{TechNav}}