Official Factorio Wiki - User contributions [en]

Railway

2026-05-13T18:47:52Z

Gotube: Replaced undefined "more efficient" with clearer "higher throughput"

{{Languages}}
[[File:Railway_from_trailer_2020.png|thumb|right|430px|Railway in the [https://youtu.be/J8SBp4SyvLc official game trailer.]]]
:''For the research see [[Railway (research)]]''

'''The Railway''' is one of the main transport methods in Factorio. The rail system is composed of [[rail]]s (tracks), [[locomotive]]s, rail cars for [[cargo wagon|cargo]] and [[fluid wagon|fluid]], [[train stop]]s, as well as [[rail signal|regular]] and [[rail chain signal|chain]] rail signals. Automatic [[gate]]s also integrate with the rail system to block trains. {{SA}} With the [[Space Age]] expansion, rails can also be elevated using [[rail ramp]]s and [[rail support]]s.

Rail is faster and provides higher throughput than [[Belt transport system|belts]] and [[Logistic network|robot logistics]].

== Infrastructure ==

To build a railway, tracks (also called rails) must be built for the train to ride on. Typically, this is done via the [[rail planner]], but can also be done manually. Bear in mind that rails are placed on a two-tile grid, so a rail cannot be moved by only one tile.

=== Minimum manually operated railway ===
As a minimum, a manually operated railway has to consist of:
* [[Rail]]s (tracks)
* [[Locomotive]]s

Locomotives and wagons can be entered and then manually operated by standing next to them and pressing the {{Key|ENTER}} key.

=== Switches ===
* Switches are forks in tracks that allow a train to pick between two directional options.
* Using the rail planner, the player must place a [[rail]] overlapping an existing rail to form a switch.
* There is no visual representation of a working switch, but the rails will appear to merge.
* The crossing of two straight tracks is not usable as a switch because trains have a limited turning radius.

[[File:fff-140-controlled-gates_sm.gif|frame|An example of a safe railway crossing. [https://wiki.factorio.com/images/Fff-140-controlled-gates.gif Click here] for the full-sized version of the image.]]

=== Crossing tracks ===

'''Be careful when crossing train tracks! Trains are one of the highest damaging entities in the game, and will kill most players instantly on contact.'''

A checklist of proper track-crossing etiquette:

# Zoom out, so that you can see a train coming.
# Look left, then right.
# Check for signals nearby: If a [[rail signal]] suddenly jumps from green to red or green to yellow, a train is coming. Do not cross.
# Avoid walking near the tracks, as you do not need to be fully on the tracks to get hit.
# While it is possible to get into/out of a train while it is moving, a miss can cost your life. The sides of the train can still deal damage, as well as the player being able to slip between two rail cars.
# Heavy [[Energy shield|shields]] can be used to reduce the damage taken. In extreme cases, it is possible to stop a train with your body. This will require several shield modules to not be instantly killed and will drain a large amount of the suit's energy.
# All entities with health will take damage getting hit by a train, so take care not to leave a [[car]] or [[tank]] on the tracks. However, this includes hostile forces!
# Trains far from a [[train stop]] will be traveling at (near) max speed, so take extra precaution when crossing and zoom out further. Trains near a [[train stop]] or signal will slow down to stop and will be traveling slower. Trains of different configurations will also move slower or faster.

A safe railroad crossing like the example shown in the picture can be built. This works by restricting access to the tracks when an oncoming train has the rails reserved. When the player is on the rails, the signals are reserved by the [[circuit network]], and the train must stop and wait until the player leaves the tracks. When a player is inside the area crossing the tracks, the train gates are closed so the player can't get on the tracks outside the crossing. This is to completely ensure a safe crossing and is often used on servers.

{{clear}}

== Trains ==
Train components:

{| class="wikitable"
|{{Imagelink|Locomotive}} || {{Imagelink|Cargo wagon}} || {{Imagelink|Fluid wagon}} || {{Imagelink|Artillery wagon}}
|}

[[File:Railway-assemble-train.png|thumb|left|300px|Placing a [[Cargo wagon]] so it is attached to the train.]]

* A train consists of at least one locomotive.
* Trains can have more than one locomotive and any number of [[wagon]]s.
* Locomotives can be '''manually''' driven forwards or backwards, however, they are generally slower going backwards. The left and right movement keys are used to change direction at switches.
* Trains can only drive forwards automatically. An automatic train can drive forwards and backwards when two locomotives facing different directions are connected to the train.
* A train needs [[fuel]] to drive. Fuel can be added by inserters when the train is in manual mode or parked at a station, not when waiting at a signal or standing in automatic mode.

The locomotives' inventory is only used for [[fuel]]. To transport items or fluids [[cargo wagon]]s and/or [[fluid wagon]]s have to be attached to the train. To attach rolling stock, whether a wagon or a locomotive, the player may prepare to place one near an existing train, where a green graphic will show the player that the stock will be attached, showing a connection between the train and the new stock. Alternatively, the player may manually connect rolling stock to trains with the rolling stock connect key, if the cargo wagon is placed far away from a train. Rolling stock can likewise be disconnected with the rolling stock disconnect key.

{{clear}}

== Stations ==
[[File:station-example-1.png|thumb|right|256px|A very minimal train station.]]

Train stations are the only place where trains can be loaded or unloaded when they are in automatic mode. Cargo wagons can be filled or emptied by up to twelve adjacent [[inserters]] (six on each side). Inserters can also be used to insert fuel into locomotives. [[Pump]]s are used to transfer fluid into and out of fluid wagons, only three pumps can attach to one fluid wagon at once.

Train stations are usually created by placing a [[train stop]]. Train stops must be on the right-hand side of the track. However, it is also possible to create a temporary train station by opening a locomotive's GUI and using {{Keybinding|ctrl|lmb}} near a rail in the minimap in the GUI or by entering a locomotive and using {{Keybinding|ctrl|lmb}} near a rail on the world map. This will create a station without requiring a train stop. The temporary train station has a default wait condition of 5 seconds and is removed from the schedule once the train leaves the station.

{{clear}}

== Signals ==
{| class="wikitable"
| {{Imagelink|Rail signal}} || {{Imagelink|Rail chain signal}}
|}

Rail signals are used to employ multiple trains automatically without the danger of trains crashing into each other. Rail signals split the network into blocks and ensure that only one train can be in every block at any time. Note that driving a train manually ignores all signals, so it is possible for automatic trains to crash into the player if the player ignores red/yellow signals. Always beware of automatic trains and give them the right of way.

The [[Tutorial:Train signals|train signals tutorial]] contains an in-depth explanation of rail signals, blocks and deadlocks.

=== Basic signaling rules ===
* There can only be one train in a block at any time. A train spanning multiple blocks occupies them all.
* A red signal means that the following block is occupied by a train.
* A yellow signal means that a train is approaching and already has the approval to enter the following block.
* [[Rail signal]]s separate a new block and reflect its state: green - free, yellow - reserved, red - occupied
* [[Rail chain signal]]s separate a new block and reflect the state of the next signal(s): see above, blue - at least one of the paths is blocked, but not all
* A train can only pass a signal on the right of the track, or if there is a signal on both sides on the same rail segment. Of course, manual driving overrides this.

== Automated transport ==
[[File:locomotive_gui.png|thumb|300px|The wait condition tab in the locomotive's GUI.]]

Trains set on "Automatic" choose their destination stop and route on departure, and after waiting at a chain signal for five seconds, and when their destination stop disables itself by circuit condition. They choose the shortest route using a [[Railway/Train_path_finding|path finding algorithm]] that will get them to an enabled train stop with the right name, taking penalties for any apparent-at-the-time delays into account. If no such train stop exists they will skip the stop and go on to the next.

This section covers items used to make trains automatically transport items between stations. The player should be familiar with creating a rail system.

First, the player has to set up a rail system with at least two train stops, which are placed on the right-hand side of the expected train arrival direction. By hovering over the train stop with the mouse you see the positions of the vehicles for better setting up the train station (including (un)loading machinery, and refueling/repair installations).

When you set up the train schedule (see below) and fuel the train, you can start the train on its schedule by switching from manual to automatic driving mode.

=== Train schedule ===
The player can set up a list of train stations in the left locomotive's GUI. The train will route to stops in the given order, if it's at the end it will continue with the first. Stations can be added by clicking "Add station" in the GUI. A pop-up appears with a list of all stop names. If one is selected, another button appears which allows selecting a wait condition from a pop-up list. Furthermore, the map in the right part of the GUI can be used to add stations to the schedule by using {{keybinding|shift|lmb}} on a station or using {{keybinding|ctrl|lmb}} near a rail in the map to create a temporary train station. These actions can also be performed on the world map when the player is sitting inside the train.

Wait conditions are used to tell the train when to leave the station. There are 15 types of wait conditions:
* '''Circuit condition''' – The train stop is connectable to the [[circuit network]], so the signals can used for wait conditions.
* '''Empty cargo''' – All inventories of the train are empty. Does not include fuel inventories.
* '''Fluid count''' – The train (all fluid wagons summed) contains a specific amount of a certain fluid.
* '''Fuel (all locomotives)''' - All locomotives in the train collectively contain a specific amount of fuel
* '''Fuel (any locomotive)''' - Any one locomotive contains a specific amount of fuel
* '''Full cargo''' - All inventories of the train are full. Does not include fuel inventories
* '''Full fuel''' - All fuel inventories are full. Does not include cargo or fluid inventories
* '''Has cargo''' - Cargo or fluid inventories contain items.
* '''Inactivity''' – No items were added or removed for the specified amount of seconds.
* '''Item count''' – The train (all cargoes summed) contains a specific amount of a certain item. Does not include fuel inventories.
* '''Passenger present''' - At least one [[player]] is inside any part of the train.
* '''Passenger not present''' - No players are inside any part of the train.
* '''Station is full''' - A specified stop is full, according to its set train limit. If the stop has no train limit set, this condition will ''not'' be met.
* '''Station is not full''' - A specified stop is not full, according to its set train limit. If the stop has no train limit set, this condition ''will'' be met.
* '''Time passed'''

It is also possible to set no wait condition, this causes the train to simply pass by the station without stopping.

Hereafter the word "term" is used to describe ''one'' type of wait condition, and the words "wait condition" are used to describe the whole set of terms (it turns a bit into maths).

If more than one term is added, it is possible to change the connection of those using the logical operators AND and OR. An AND condition will result in true if all terms are true. An OR condition will return true if at least one of the terms is true.

When mixing AND and OR terms, the logic is grouped by the OR terms. When evaluating the wait condition, the first term is evaluated along with all AND terms immediately following up to but excluding the next occurring OR term. If they all evaluate true, the wait condition evaluates true. Otherwise, evaluation continues with that next occurring OR term and all AND terms immediately following it, up to the next OR term. This continues until either an OR group evaluates true and the wait condition is satisfied, or all terms have been checked.

==== Examples ====
[[File:Traingroup gui.png|thumb|300px|The train group GUI. There are 2 trains in "Group A" and 1 train in "Group B"]]
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:800px">
Expand for examples
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Wait until full, up to 30 seconds:

<pre>
Full cargo inventory
OR 30 seconds passed
</pre>

Wait until cargo full, ''or'' circuit condition Oil > 3000:

<pre>
Full cargo inventory
OR Circuit condition - Oil > 3000
</pre>

Wait until empty, ''and'' 30 seconds passed, ''and'' 5 seconds of inactivity:

<pre>
Empty cargo inventory
AND 30 seconds passed
AND 5 seconds of inactivity
</pre>

Wait until iron ore is low, ''or'' copper ore is low ''and'' at least 30 seconds passed:

<pre>
Cargo: Iron ore < 500
AND 30 seconds passed
OR Cargo: Copper ore < 500
AND 30 seconds passed
</pre>

Factorio's wait condition logic is read as disjunctive normal form ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disjunctive_normal_form DNF]), and so this last example is processed as (note the parenthesis):

<pre>((Cargo: Iron ore < 500 AND 30 seconds passed) OR (Cargo: Copper ore < 500 AND 30 seconds passed))</pre>

Which is the same as this:

<pre>((Cargo: Iron ore < 500 OR Cargo: Copper ore < 500) AND 30 seconds passed)</pre>

Unfortunately, there is no way to write that shorter form in the current UI.
</div></div>

=== Train groups ===
Trains are able to be assigned to a group. Selecting the small edit icon next to "no group assigned" will bring up the existing groups in the current world. One can select a group for the train to join, or create a new one. Editing the schedule of one train will change the schedules of all trains in the same group.

=== Schedule interrupts ===
[[File:Interrupt gui.png|thumb|300px|The Edit Interrupt GUI.]]

Schedule interrupts allow a locomotive to override its current schedule when a certain condition is met. Selecting "Add interrupt" in the locomotive's GUI will bring up a list of existing interrupts in the current world. One can be selected from the list, or typing in a name will create a new one. Creating one will add it to the locomotive and all locomotives in the current locomotive group.

To work, an interrupt requires two parts: a condition and a target station. When a condition is met, the interrupt will activate and insert the target station as a temporary stop in the locomotive's schedule. The locomotive will route to the target station and wait there until the specified wait condition is met, at which point it will leave and resume its original schedule.

An interrupt can be triggered on many of the same conditions as waiting at a stop, along with some new conditions:
* '''At specified station''' - The train is waiting at a specific stop
* '''Destination full or no path''' - The train's next stop is full, according to its train limit; or the train cannot physically reach its next station
* '''Not at specified station''' - The train is stopped somewhere other than the specific stop

Multiple trains can have the same interrupt regardless of whether they are in the same locomotive group or not. Editing an interrupt will change it for all trains which have the interrupt in their system.

Interrupts can be reordered within the locomotive's GUI like normal stops. If a train has multiple interrupt conditions true at the same time, it will prioritize interrupts that are higher on the list.

=== Wildcard Interrupts ===
[[File:interrupt_wildcards.png|thumb|left|300px|The four wildcard signals: Item, Fuel, Fluid, & Signal.]]
Within interrupts, trains have access to four special "wildcard" signals located within the Unsorted tab, which are special [[Circuit network#Logic signals|logic signals]] that can only be used within interrupts. Wildcard signals come in four types: item, fuel, fluid, and signal. When used as a condition to trigger an interrupt, each one looks at a specific inventory within the train and will replace itself with the signal of the first item it finds. For example, if an interrupt is set to trigger if an item parameter is over 50, and 51 [[iron gear wheel]]s are placed into a cargo wagon, the interrupt will trigger as if the condition was looking for over 50 iron gears. Item, fluid, and fuel wildcards each look at a specific inventory: [[cargo wagon|cargo]] and [[artillery wagon]]s, [[fluid wagon]]s, and [[locomotive]]s, respectively.

When used solely as a condition, wildcards act otherwise identically to the [[circuit network#Anything|anything]] logic signal. What makes them special is their function when used in both the condition and the target.

Wildcards will also replace themselves with any [[rich text]] icons within the names of [[train stop]]s. Instead of selecting a target stop from the list, instead click on the "icon" button next to the green confirm button and select the same type of wildcard as used in the condition. Then, type the name of the station. If the stop has a matching icon in its name, then the train will match the item it contains with that icon, and select that stop as the destination.

The final wildcard, Signal parameter, checks against any signals passed to the train while parked at a train stop. When combined with a signal parameter for a target station, this can make the train go to a stop which has an icon in its name matching the signal it received from the station. When combined with matching the target station based on its contents, this can be utilized to create a generic train system which can select its destination based on the item it receives.

=== Troubleshooting ===

Below are some things to verify if a rail system or train is not working.

* Is the train fueled? Ensure that the locomotive has [[fuel]] of some kind.
* Misplaced or non-functional switches? Ensure that the train can plan a path through the switches.
* Another train on the same [[Railway#Block|block]]? Make sure the path of the train is unobstructed.
* Train stops placed correctly? Make sure that the yellow arrows when hovering on the stop point towards the end or exit of the stop.
* Is the train allowed to enter signals from the right direction? Are the signals set correctly?
* If a track is supposed to be two-way, the rail signals should be opposite each other. You can verify they match up by hovering the cursor over one. For a matched pair, it will show the other.

==== No path ====
When trains cannot reach the target, a "no path" symbol pops up over the locomotive. Check:
* Can the train reach its current destination by '''only driving forward'''? Build turning slopes or place a locomotive at both ends of a train!
* Are the train stops standing in the right direction? Train stops must be on the right-hand side of the track (from the forward-facing locomotive's perspective). If the train is traveling south, the stop must be on the west side of the track.
* If you use rail signals, check that the signals are all allowing traffic in the correct direction.
* Check for interruptions in the train tracks. Especially near junctions, missing rail sections can be hard to spot.

If you are still having problems, consider these troubleshooting techniques:
* Holding {{key|ctrl}} and hovering the cursor over the tracks in map view will show the path the train would take to get there. Move the cursor along the tracks where you expect the path to go until the path disappears. If there is no missing section of rail at that point, there is likely a signalling problem.
* Try driving the train manually. If the train abruptly stops, there is a gap in the track (or possibly a redundant spur that should be removed). Otherwise, as you pass each switch, try switching to automatic. When it works, you will know the rough area of the problem.
[http://imgur.com/a/Nq2Yk A pictorial summary of typical problems].

==== Interrupts ====

When a train is about to leave the last station in an interrupt's schedule, there is no inherent mechanism which prevents the same interrupt from re-triggering. Many interrupt conditions naturally prevent retriggering by the nature of their condition. A wildcard interrupt for unloading cargo cannot trigger if the train has no cargo. Other conditions may retrigger if something in the base has malfunctioned. For example, a refueling interrupt should only trigger when fuel is low. But if the train is at the fuel station, wants to leave, and still has low fuel, then either there is no inserter to load fuel or the refueling station has run out of fuel.

But there can be cases where the conditions for a trigger's desired conditions can still happen after executing the interrupt's schedule.

To force the train to always choose a station with a different name, add "Not at specified station" to the interrupt conditions, specifying the same target station. This way, the train will be forced to pick a different interrupt, or travel to a station in its main schedule.

If the train should travel to a different station of the same name, circuit logic can be used to disable the current station and lower its priority, as well as adding "Station is not full" to the interrupt condition. Note that only disabling the station is not enough to prevent this issue, the train will only choose a different destination with the same name if it has a higher priority. Once there are no other valid stations with the same name (i.e. all of them are disabled, so there is no higher-priority station), the "Station is not full" condition will prevent the train from getting stuck.

== Elevated rails ==
[[File:Elevated intersection example.png|thumb|350px|A simple bridge using elevated rails.]]
{{About/Space age}}
Elevated rails come in a separate mod which can be enabled independently of Space Age. They come as two new buildings: [[rail ramp]] and [[rail support]]. Ramps and supports are the only items in the game able to be built in the oceans of [[Nauvis]]. When playing with Space Age itself, elevated rails become an important part of the game, as they are critical to bridging the oil oceans of [[Fulgora]]{{SA}} and the lava rivers of [[Vulcanus]]{{SA}}, as well as easily crossing the vast watery landscape on [[Gleba]]{{SA}}.

Elevated rails can be built using the [[rail planner]]. Pressing {{Keybinding|G}} will switch levels, and attempt to build a ramp up or down, if the player has one in their inventory. While holding {{Keybinding|shift}} and targeting a section of rail on the opposite level, the rail planner will automatically place any ramps and/or supports necessary to reach that destination. A rail support must be placed every 16 straight tiles. Disassembling a support or ramp will automatically disassemble any rails which rely on that support.

Players and [[enemies]] cannot walk on elevated rail. A player can enter and exit the train if it is elevated as normal, and will be teleported to the ground. If the player attempts to exit while over water or lava, nothing will happen. Both types of rail signals can be placed on elevated rail, but not train stops.

Certain buildings are too tall to be placed underneath elevated rails:
* {{IconLink|Big electric pole}}
* {{IconLink|Cargo landing pad}}
* {{IconLink|Oil refinery}}
* {{IconLink|Roboport}}
* {{IconLink|Rocket silo}}
* {{IconLink|Agricultural tower|space-age=yes}}
* {{IconLink|Cargo bay|space-age=yes}}
* {{IconLink|Lightning rod|space-age=yes}}
* {{IconLink|Lightning collector|space-age=yes}}

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|getting-on-track}}
{{Achievement|trans-factorio-express}}
{{Achievement|watch-your-step}}
{{Achievement|getting-on-track-like-a-pro}}

== See also ==
* [[Tutorial:Train signals]]
* [[Railway/Train path finding]]
* [[Locomotive]]
* [[Cargo wagon]]
* [[Fluid wagon]]
* [[Artillery wagon]]

{{C|Logistics{{!}}#Railway}} {{C|Railway{{!}}#Railway}}

Railway

2026-05-13T18:41:30Z

Gotube: Removed editorializing about the difficulty and complexity of the rail system

{{Languages}}
[[File:Railway_from_trailer_2020.png|thumb|right|430px|Railway in the [https://youtu.be/J8SBp4SyvLc official game trailer.]]]
:''For the research see [[Railway (research)]]''

'''The Railway''' is one of the main transport methods in Factorio. The rail system is composed of [[rail]]s (tracks), [[locomotive]]s, rail cars for [[cargo wagon|cargo]] and [[fluid wagon|fluid]], [[train stop]]s, as well as [[rail signal|regular]] and [[rail chain signal|chain]] rail signals. Automatic [[gate]]s also integrate with the rail system to block trains. {{SA}} With the [[Space Age]] expansion, rails can also be elevated using [[rail ramp]]s and [[rail support]]s.

Rail is faster and more efficient than [[Belt transport system|belts]] and [[Logistic network|robot logistics]], especially over large distances.

== Infrastructure ==

To build a railway, tracks (also called rails) must be built for the train to ride on. Typically, this is done via the [[rail planner]], but can also be done manually. Bear in mind that rails are placed on a two-tile grid, so a rail cannot be moved by only one tile.

=== Minimum manually operated railway ===
As a minimum, a manually operated railway has to consist of:
* [[Rail]]s (tracks)
* [[Locomotive]]s

Locomotives and wagons can be entered and then manually operated by standing next to them and pressing the {{Key|ENTER}} key.

=== Switches ===
* Switches are forks in tracks that allow a train to pick between two directional options.
* Using the rail planner, the player must place a [[rail]] overlapping an existing rail to form a switch.
* There is no visual representation of a working switch, but the rails will appear to merge.
* The crossing of two straight tracks is not usable as a switch because trains have a limited turning radius.

[[File:fff-140-controlled-gates_sm.gif|frame|An example of a safe railway crossing. [https://wiki.factorio.com/images/Fff-140-controlled-gates.gif Click here] for the full-sized version of the image.]]

=== Crossing tracks ===

'''Be careful when crossing train tracks! Trains are one of the highest damaging entities in the game, and will kill most players instantly on contact.'''

A checklist of proper track-crossing etiquette:

# Zoom out, so that you can see a train coming.
# Look left, then right.
# Check for signals nearby: If a [[rail signal]] suddenly jumps from green to red or green to yellow, a train is coming. Do not cross.
# Avoid walking near the tracks, as you do not need to be fully on the tracks to get hit.
# While it is possible to get into/out of a train while it is moving, a miss can cost your life. The sides of the train can still deal damage, as well as the player being able to slip between two rail cars.
# Heavy [[Energy shield|shields]] can be used to reduce the damage taken. In extreme cases, it is possible to stop a train with your body. This will require several shield modules to not be instantly killed and will drain a large amount of the suit's energy.
# All entities with health will take damage getting hit by a train, so take care not to leave a [[car]] or [[tank]] on the tracks. However, this includes hostile forces!
# Trains far from a [[train stop]] will be traveling at (near) max speed, so take extra precaution when crossing and zoom out further. Trains near a [[train stop]] or signal will slow down to stop and will be traveling slower. Trains of different configurations will also move slower or faster.

A safe railroad crossing like the example shown in the picture can be built. This works by restricting access to the tracks when an oncoming train has the rails reserved. When the player is on the rails, the signals are reserved by the [[circuit network]], and the train must stop and wait until the player leaves the tracks. When a player is inside the area crossing the tracks, the train gates are closed so the player can't get on the tracks outside the crossing. This is to completely ensure a safe crossing and is often used on servers.

{{clear}}

== Trains ==
Train components:

{| class="wikitable"
|{{Imagelink|Locomotive}} || {{Imagelink|Cargo wagon}} || {{Imagelink|Fluid wagon}} || {{Imagelink|Artillery wagon}}
|}

[[File:Railway-assemble-train.png|thumb|left|300px|Placing a [[Cargo wagon]] so it is attached to the train.]]

* A train consists of at least one locomotive.
* Trains can have more than one locomotive and any number of [[wagon]]s.
* Locomotives can be '''manually''' driven forwards or backwards, however, they are generally slower going backwards. The left and right movement keys are used to change direction at switches.
* Trains can only drive forwards automatically. An automatic train can drive forwards and backwards when two locomotives facing different directions are connected to the train.
* A train needs [[fuel]] to drive. Fuel can be added by inserters when the train is in manual mode or parked at a station, not when waiting at a signal or standing in automatic mode.

The locomotives' inventory is only used for [[fuel]]. To transport items or fluids [[cargo wagon]]s and/or [[fluid wagon]]s have to be attached to the train. To attach rolling stock, whether a wagon or a locomotive, the player may prepare to place one near an existing train, where a green graphic will show the player that the stock will be attached, showing a connection between the train and the new stock. Alternatively, the player may manually connect rolling stock to trains with the rolling stock connect key, if the cargo wagon is placed far away from a train. Rolling stock can likewise be disconnected with the rolling stock disconnect key.

{{clear}}

== Stations ==
[[File:station-example-1.png|thumb|right|256px|A very minimal train station.]]

Train stations are the only place where trains can be loaded or unloaded when they are in automatic mode. Cargo wagons can be filled or emptied by up to twelve adjacent [[inserters]] (six on each side). Inserters can also be used to insert fuel into locomotives. [[Pump]]s are used to transfer fluid into and out of fluid wagons, only three pumps can attach to one fluid wagon at once.

Train stations are usually created by placing a [[train stop]]. Train stops must be on the right-hand side of the track. However, it is also possible to create a temporary train station by opening a locomotive's GUI and using {{Keybinding|ctrl|lmb}} near a rail in the minimap in the GUI or by entering a locomotive and using {{Keybinding|ctrl|lmb}} near a rail on the world map. This will create a station without requiring a train stop. The temporary train station has a default wait condition of 5 seconds and is removed from the schedule once the train leaves the station.

{{clear}}

== Signals ==
{| class="wikitable"
| {{Imagelink|Rail signal}} || {{Imagelink|Rail chain signal}}
|}

Rail signals are used to employ multiple trains automatically without the danger of trains crashing into each other. Rail signals split the network into blocks and ensure that only one train can be in every block at any time. Note that driving a train manually ignores all signals, so it is possible for automatic trains to crash into the player if the player ignores red/yellow signals. Always beware of automatic trains and give them the right of way.

The [[Tutorial:Train signals|train signals tutorial]] contains an in-depth explanation of rail signals, blocks and deadlocks.

=== Basic signaling rules ===
* There can only be one train in a block at any time. A train spanning multiple blocks occupies them all.
* A red signal means that the following block is occupied by a train.
* A yellow signal means that a train is approaching and already has the approval to enter the following block.
* [[Rail signal]]s separate a new block and reflect its state: green - free, yellow - reserved, red - occupied
* [[Rail chain signal]]s separate a new block and reflect the state of the next signal(s): see above, blue - at least one of the paths is blocked, but not all
* A train can only pass a signal on the right of the track, or if there is a signal on both sides on the same rail segment. Of course, manual driving overrides this.

== Automated transport ==
[[File:locomotive_gui.png|thumb|300px|The wait condition tab in the locomotive's GUI.]]

Trains set on "Automatic" choose their destination stop and route on departure, and after waiting at a chain signal for five seconds, and when their destination stop disables itself by circuit condition. They choose the shortest route using a [[Railway/Train_path_finding|path finding algorithm]] that will get them to an enabled train stop with the right name, taking penalties for any apparent-at-the-time delays into account. If no such train stop exists they will skip the stop and go on to the next.

This section covers items used to make trains automatically transport items between stations. The player should be familiar with creating a rail system.

First, the player has to set up a rail system with at least two train stops, which are placed on the right-hand side of the expected train arrival direction. By hovering over the train stop with the mouse you see the positions of the vehicles for better setting up the train station (including (un)loading machinery, and refueling/repair installations).

When you set up the train schedule (see below) and fuel the train, you can start the train on its schedule by switching from manual to automatic driving mode.

=== Train schedule ===
The player can set up a list of train stations in the left locomotive's GUI. The train will route to stops in the given order, if it's at the end it will continue with the first. Stations can be added by clicking "Add station" in the GUI. A pop-up appears with a list of all stop names. If one is selected, another button appears which allows selecting a wait condition from a pop-up list. Furthermore, the map in the right part of the GUI can be used to add stations to the schedule by using {{keybinding|shift|lmb}} on a station or using {{keybinding|ctrl|lmb}} near a rail in the map to create a temporary train station. These actions can also be performed on the world map when the player is sitting inside the train.

Wait conditions are used to tell the train when to leave the station. There are 15 types of wait conditions:
* '''Circuit condition''' – The train stop is connectable to the [[circuit network]], so the signals can used for wait conditions.
* '''Empty cargo''' – All inventories of the train are empty. Does not include fuel inventories.
* '''Fluid count''' – The train (all fluid wagons summed) contains a specific amount of a certain fluid.
* '''Fuel (all locomotives)''' - All locomotives in the train collectively contain a specific amount of fuel
* '''Fuel (any locomotive)''' - Any one locomotive contains a specific amount of fuel
* '''Full cargo''' - All inventories of the train are full. Does not include fuel inventories
* '''Full fuel''' - All fuel inventories are full. Does not include cargo or fluid inventories
* '''Has cargo''' - Cargo or fluid inventories contain items.
* '''Inactivity''' – No items were added or removed for the specified amount of seconds.
* '''Item count''' – The train (all cargoes summed) contains a specific amount of a certain item. Does not include fuel inventories.
* '''Passenger present''' - At least one [[player]] is inside any part of the train.
* '''Passenger not present''' - No players are inside any part of the train.
* '''Station is full''' - A specified stop is full, according to its set train limit. If the stop has no train limit set, this condition will ''not'' be met.
* '''Station is not full''' - A specified stop is not full, according to its set train limit. If the stop has no train limit set, this condition ''will'' be met.
* '''Time passed'''

It is also possible to set no wait condition, this causes the train to simply pass by the station without stopping.

Hereafter the word "term" is used to describe ''one'' type of wait condition, and the words "wait condition" are used to describe the whole set of terms (it turns a bit into maths).

If more than one term is added, it is possible to change the connection of those using the logical operators AND and OR. An AND condition will result in true if all terms are true. An OR condition will return true if at least one of the terms is true.

When mixing AND and OR terms, the logic is grouped by the OR terms. When evaluating the wait condition, the first term is evaluated along with all AND terms immediately following up to but excluding the next occurring OR term. If they all evaluate true, the wait condition evaluates true. Otherwise, evaluation continues with that next occurring OR term and all AND terms immediately following it, up to the next OR term. This continues until either an OR group evaluates true and the wait condition is satisfied, or all terms have been checked.

==== Examples ====
[[File:Traingroup gui.png|thumb|300px|The train group GUI. There are 2 trains in "Group A" and 1 train in "Group B"]]
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:800px">
Expand for examples
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Wait until full, up to 30 seconds:

<pre>
Full cargo inventory
OR 30 seconds passed
</pre>

Wait until cargo full, ''or'' circuit condition Oil > 3000:

<pre>
Full cargo inventory
OR Circuit condition - Oil > 3000
</pre>

Wait until empty, ''and'' 30 seconds passed, ''and'' 5 seconds of inactivity:

<pre>
Empty cargo inventory
AND 30 seconds passed
AND 5 seconds of inactivity
</pre>

Wait until iron ore is low, ''or'' copper ore is low ''and'' at least 30 seconds passed:

<pre>
Cargo: Iron ore < 500
AND 30 seconds passed
OR Cargo: Copper ore < 500
AND 30 seconds passed
</pre>

Factorio's wait condition logic is read as disjunctive normal form ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disjunctive_normal_form DNF]), and so this last example is processed as (note the parenthesis):

<pre>((Cargo: Iron ore < 500 AND 30 seconds passed) OR (Cargo: Copper ore < 500 AND 30 seconds passed))</pre>

Which is the same as this:

<pre>((Cargo: Iron ore < 500 OR Cargo: Copper ore < 500) AND 30 seconds passed)</pre>

Unfortunately, there is no way to write that shorter form in the current UI.
</div></div>

=== Train groups ===
Trains are able to be assigned to a group. Selecting the small edit icon next to "no group assigned" will bring up the existing groups in the current world. One can select a group for the train to join, or create a new one. Editing the schedule of one train will change the schedules of all trains in the same group.

=== Schedule interrupts ===
[[File:Interrupt gui.png|thumb|300px|The Edit Interrupt GUI.]]

Schedule interrupts allow a locomotive to override its current schedule when a certain condition is met. Selecting "Add interrupt" in the locomotive's GUI will bring up a list of existing interrupts in the current world. One can be selected from the list, or typing in a name will create a new one. Creating one will add it to the locomotive and all locomotives in the current locomotive group.

To work, an interrupt requires two parts: a condition and a target station. When a condition is met, the interrupt will activate and insert the target station as a temporary stop in the locomotive's schedule. The locomotive will route to the target station and wait there until the specified wait condition is met, at which point it will leave and resume its original schedule.

An interrupt can be triggered on many of the same conditions as waiting at a stop, along with some new conditions:
* '''At specified station''' - The train is waiting at a specific stop
* '''Destination full or no path''' - The train's next stop is full, according to its train limit; or the train cannot physically reach its next station
* '''Not at specified station''' - The train is stopped somewhere other than the specific stop

Multiple trains can have the same interrupt regardless of whether they are in the same locomotive group or not. Editing an interrupt will change it for all trains which have the interrupt in their system.

Interrupts can be reordered within the locomotive's GUI like normal stops. If a train has multiple interrupt conditions true at the same time, it will prioritize interrupts that are higher on the list.

=== Wildcard Interrupts ===
[[File:interrupt_wildcards.png|thumb|left|300px|The four wildcard signals: Item, Fuel, Fluid, & Signal.]]
Within interrupts, trains have access to four special "wildcard" signals located within the Unsorted tab, which are special [[Circuit network#Logic signals|logic signals]] that can only be used within interrupts. Wildcard signals come in four types: item, fuel, fluid, and signal. When used as a condition to trigger an interrupt, each one looks at a specific inventory within the train and will replace itself with the signal of the first item it finds. For example, if an interrupt is set to trigger if an item parameter is over 50, and 51 [[iron gear wheel]]s are placed into a cargo wagon, the interrupt will trigger as if the condition was looking for over 50 iron gears. Item, fluid, and fuel wildcards each look at a specific inventory: [[cargo wagon|cargo]] and [[artillery wagon]]s, [[fluid wagon]]s, and [[locomotive]]s, respectively.

When used solely as a condition, wildcards act otherwise identically to the [[circuit network#Anything|anything]] logic signal. What makes them special is their function when used in both the condition and the target.

Wildcards will also replace themselves with any [[rich text]] icons within the names of [[train stop]]s. Instead of selecting a target stop from the list, instead click on the "icon" button next to the green confirm button and select the same type of wildcard as used in the condition. Then, type the name of the station. If the stop has a matching icon in its name, then the train will match the item it contains with that icon, and select that stop as the destination.

The final wildcard, Signal parameter, checks against any signals passed to the train while parked at a train stop. When combined with a signal parameter for a target station, this can make the train go to a stop which has an icon in its name matching the signal it received from the station. When combined with matching the target station based on its contents, this can be utilized to create a generic train system which can select its destination based on the item it receives.

=== Troubleshooting ===

Below are some things to verify if a rail system or train is not working.

* Is the train fueled? Ensure that the locomotive has [[fuel]] of some kind.
* Misplaced or non-functional switches? Ensure that the train can plan a path through the switches.
* Another train on the same [[Railway#Block|block]]? Make sure the path of the train is unobstructed.
* Train stops placed correctly? Make sure that the yellow arrows when hovering on the stop point towards the end or exit of the stop.
* Is the train allowed to enter signals from the right direction? Are the signals set correctly?
* If a track is supposed to be two-way, the rail signals should be opposite each other. You can verify they match up by hovering the cursor over one. For a matched pair, it will show the other.

==== No path ====
When trains cannot reach the target, a "no path" symbol pops up over the locomotive. Check:
* Can the train reach its current destination by '''only driving forward'''? Build turning slopes or place a locomotive at both ends of a train!
* Are the train stops standing in the right direction? Train stops must be on the right-hand side of the track (from the forward-facing locomotive's perspective). If the train is traveling south, the stop must be on the west side of the track.
* If you use rail signals, check that the signals are all allowing traffic in the correct direction.
* Check for interruptions in the train tracks. Especially near junctions, missing rail sections can be hard to spot.

If you are still having problems, consider these troubleshooting techniques:
* Holding {{key|ctrl}} and hovering the cursor over the tracks in map view will show the path the train would take to get there. Move the cursor along the tracks where you expect the path to go until the path disappears. If there is no missing section of rail at that point, there is likely a signalling problem.
* Try driving the train manually. If the train abruptly stops, there is a gap in the track (or possibly a redundant spur that should be removed). Otherwise, as you pass each switch, try switching to automatic. When it works, you will know the rough area of the problem.
[http://imgur.com/a/Nq2Yk A pictorial summary of typical problems].

==== Interrupts ====

When a train is about to leave the last station in an interrupt's schedule, there is no inherent mechanism which prevents the same interrupt from re-triggering. Many interrupt conditions naturally prevent retriggering by the nature of their condition. A wildcard interrupt for unloading cargo cannot trigger if the train has no cargo. Other conditions may retrigger if something in the base has malfunctioned. For example, a refueling interrupt should only trigger when fuel is low. But if the train is at the fuel station, wants to leave, and still has low fuel, then either there is no inserter to load fuel or the refueling station has run out of fuel.

But there can be cases where the conditions for a trigger's desired conditions can still happen after executing the interrupt's schedule.

To force the train to always choose a station with a different name, add "Not at specified station" to the interrupt conditions, specifying the same target station. This way, the train will be forced to pick a different interrupt, or travel to a station in its main schedule.

If the train should travel to a different station of the same name, circuit logic can be used to disable the current station and lower its priority, as well as adding "Station is not full" to the interrupt condition. Note that only disabling the station is not enough to prevent this issue, the train will only choose a different destination with the same name if it has a higher priority. Once there are no other valid stations with the same name (i.e. all of them are disabled, so there is no higher-priority station), the "Station is not full" condition will prevent the train from getting stuck.

== Elevated rails ==
[[File:Elevated intersection example.png|thumb|350px|A simple bridge using elevated rails.]]
{{About/Space age}}
Elevated rails come in a separate mod which can be enabled independently of Space Age. They come as two new buildings: [[rail ramp]] and [[rail support]]. Ramps and supports are the only items in the game able to be built in the oceans of [[Nauvis]]. When playing with Space Age itself, elevated rails become an important part of the game, as they are critical to bridging the oil oceans of [[Fulgora]]{{SA}} and the lava rivers of [[Vulcanus]]{{SA}}, as well as easily crossing the vast watery landscape on [[Gleba]]{{SA}}.

Elevated rails can be built using the [[rail planner]]. Pressing {{Keybinding|G}} will switch levels, and attempt to build a ramp up or down, if the player has one in their inventory. While holding {{Keybinding|shift}} and targeting a section of rail on the opposite level, the rail planner will automatically place any ramps and/or supports necessary to reach that destination. A rail support must be placed every 16 straight tiles. Disassembling a support or ramp will automatically disassemble any rails which rely on that support.

Players and [[enemies]] cannot walk on elevated rail. A player can enter and exit the train if it is elevated as normal, and will be teleported to the ground. If the player attempts to exit while over water or lava, nothing will happen. Both types of rail signals can be placed on elevated rail, but not train stops.

Certain buildings are too tall to be placed underneath elevated rails:
* {{IconLink|Big electric pole}}
* {{IconLink|Cargo landing pad}}
* {{IconLink|Oil refinery}}
* {{IconLink|Roboport}}
* {{IconLink|Rocket silo}}
* {{IconLink|Agricultural tower|space-age=yes}}
* {{IconLink|Cargo bay|space-age=yes}}
* {{IconLink|Lightning rod|space-age=yes}}
* {{IconLink|Lightning collector|space-age=yes}}

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|getting-on-track}}
{{Achievement|trans-factorio-express}}
{{Achievement|watch-your-step}}
{{Achievement|getting-on-track-like-a-pro}}

== See also ==
* [[Tutorial:Train signals]]
* [[Railway/Train path finding]]
* [[Locomotive]]
* [[Cargo wagon]]
* [[Fluid wagon]]
* [[Artillery wagon]]

{{C|Logistics{{!}}#Railway}} {{C|Railway{{!}}#Railway}}

Railway

2026-05-13T18:38:41Z

Gotube: Rewrote top section to introduce the railway system with basic facts

{{Languages}}
[[File:Railway_from_trailer_2020.png|thumb|right|430px|Railway in the [https://youtu.be/J8SBp4SyvLc official game trailer.]]]
:''For the research see [[Railway (research)]]''

'''The Railway''' is one of the main transport methods in Factorio. The rail system is composed of [[rail]]s (tracks), [[locomotive]]s, rail cars for [[cargo wagon|cargo]] and [[fluid wagon|fluid]], [[train stop]]s, as well as [[rail signal|regular]] and [[rail chain signal|chain]] rail signals. Automatic [[gate]]s also integrate with the rail system to block trains. {{SA}} With the [[Space Age]] expansion, rails can also be elevated using [[rail ramp]]s and [[rail support]]s.

Although the installation of such a network can be complicated and requires a large amount of resources and space, it is faster and more efficient than [[Belt transport system|belts]] and [[Logistic network|robot logistics]], especially over large distances.

Railway construction, however, is not understood instantly. It takes some time to learn the basics, such as automating transportation. Learning how to manage and maintain the upkeep of a larger train network takes time and experience.

== Infrastructure ==

To build a railway, tracks (also called rails) must be built for the train to ride on. Typically, this is done via the [[rail planner]], but can also be done manually. Bear in mind that rails are placed on a two-tile grid, so a rail cannot be moved by only one tile.

=== Minimum manually operated railway ===
As a minimum, a manually operated railway has to consist of:
* [[Rail]]s (tracks)
* [[Locomotive]]s

Locomotives and wagons can be entered and then manually operated by standing next to them and pressing the {{Key|ENTER}} key.

=== Switches ===
* Switches are forks in tracks that allow a train to pick between two directional options.
* Using the rail planner, the player must place a [[rail]] overlapping an existing rail to form a switch.
* There is no visual representation of a working switch, but the rails will appear to merge.
* The crossing of two straight tracks is not usable as a switch because trains have a limited turning radius.

[[File:fff-140-controlled-gates_sm.gif|frame|An example of a safe railway crossing. [https://wiki.factorio.com/images/Fff-140-controlled-gates.gif Click here] for the full-sized version of the image.]]

=== Crossing tracks ===

'''Be careful when crossing train tracks! Trains are one of the highest damaging entities in the game, and will kill most players instantly on contact.'''

A checklist of proper track-crossing etiquette:

# Zoom out, so that you can see a train coming.
# Look left, then right.
# Check for signals nearby: If a [[rail signal]] suddenly jumps from green to red or green to yellow, a train is coming. Do not cross.
# Avoid walking near the tracks, as you do not need to be fully on the tracks to get hit.
# While it is possible to get into/out of a train while it is moving, a miss can cost your life. The sides of the train can still deal damage, as well as the player being able to slip between two rail cars.
# Heavy [[Energy shield|shields]] can be used to reduce the damage taken. In extreme cases, it is possible to stop a train with your body. This will require several shield modules to not be instantly killed and will drain a large amount of the suit's energy.
# All entities with health will take damage getting hit by a train, so take care not to leave a [[car]] or [[tank]] on the tracks. However, this includes hostile forces!
# Trains far from a [[train stop]] will be traveling at (near) max speed, so take extra precaution when crossing and zoom out further. Trains near a [[train stop]] or signal will slow down to stop and will be traveling slower. Trains of different configurations will also move slower or faster.

A safe railroad crossing like the example shown in the picture can be built. This works by restricting access to the tracks when an oncoming train has the rails reserved. When the player is on the rails, the signals are reserved by the [[circuit network]], and the train must stop and wait until the player leaves the tracks. When a player is inside the area crossing the tracks, the train gates are closed so the player can't get on the tracks outside the crossing. This is to completely ensure a safe crossing and is often used on servers.

{{clear}}

== Trains ==
Train components:

{| class="wikitable"
|{{Imagelink|Locomotive}} || {{Imagelink|Cargo wagon}} || {{Imagelink|Fluid wagon}} || {{Imagelink|Artillery wagon}}
|}

[[File:Railway-assemble-train.png|thumb|left|300px|Placing a [[Cargo wagon]] so it is attached to the train.]]

* A train consists of at least one locomotive.
* Trains can have more than one locomotive and any number of [[wagon]]s.
* Locomotives can be '''manually''' driven forwards or backwards, however, they are generally slower going backwards. The left and right movement keys are used to change direction at switches.
* Trains can only drive forwards automatically. An automatic train can drive forwards and backwards when two locomotives facing different directions are connected to the train.
* A train needs [[fuel]] to drive. Fuel can be added by inserters when the train is in manual mode or parked at a station, not when waiting at a signal or standing in automatic mode.

The locomotives' inventory is only used for [[fuel]]. To transport items or fluids [[cargo wagon]]s and/or [[fluid wagon]]s have to be attached to the train. To attach rolling stock, whether a wagon or a locomotive, the player may prepare to place one near an existing train, where a green graphic will show the player that the stock will be attached, showing a connection between the train and the new stock. Alternatively, the player may manually connect rolling stock to trains with the rolling stock connect key, if the cargo wagon is placed far away from a train. Rolling stock can likewise be disconnected with the rolling stock disconnect key.

{{clear}}

== Stations ==
[[File:station-example-1.png|thumb|right|256px|A very minimal train station.]]

Train stations are the only place where trains can be loaded or unloaded when they are in automatic mode. Cargo wagons can be filled or emptied by up to twelve adjacent [[inserters]] (six on each side). Inserters can also be used to insert fuel into locomotives. [[Pump]]s are used to transfer fluid into and out of fluid wagons, only three pumps can attach to one fluid wagon at once.

Train stations are usually created by placing a [[train stop]]. Train stops must be on the right-hand side of the track. However, it is also possible to create a temporary train station by opening a locomotive's GUI and using {{Keybinding|ctrl|lmb}} near a rail in the minimap in the GUI or by entering a locomotive and using {{Keybinding|ctrl|lmb}} near a rail on the world map. This will create a station without requiring a train stop. The temporary train station has a default wait condition of 5 seconds and is removed from the schedule once the train leaves the station.

{{clear}}

== Signals ==
{| class="wikitable"
| {{Imagelink|Rail signal}} || {{Imagelink|Rail chain signal}}
|}

Rail signals are used to employ multiple trains automatically without the danger of trains crashing into each other. Rail signals split the network into blocks and ensure that only one train can be in every block at any time. Note that driving a train manually ignores all signals, so it is possible for automatic trains to crash into the player if the player ignores red/yellow signals. Always beware of automatic trains and give them the right of way.

The [[Tutorial:Train signals|train signals tutorial]] contains an in-depth explanation of rail signals, blocks and deadlocks.

=== Basic signaling rules ===
* There can only be one train in a block at any time. A train spanning multiple blocks occupies them all.
* A red signal means that the following block is occupied by a train.
* A yellow signal means that a train is approaching and already has the approval to enter the following block.
* [[Rail signal]]s separate a new block and reflect its state: green - free, yellow - reserved, red - occupied
* [[Rail chain signal]]s separate a new block and reflect the state of the next signal(s): see above, blue - at least one of the paths is blocked, but not all
* A train can only pass a signal on the right of the track, or if there is a signal on both sides on the same rail segment. Of course, manual driving overrides this.

== Automated transport ==
[[File:locomotive_gui.png|thumb|300px|The wait condition tab in the locomotive's GUI.]]

Trains set on "Automatic" choose their destination stop and route on departure, and after waiting at a chain signal for five seconds, and when their destination stop disables itself by circuit condition. They choose the shortest route using a [[Railway/Train_path_finding|path finding algorithm]] that will get them to an enabled train stop with the right name, taking penalties for any apparent-at-the-time delays into account. If no such train stop exists they will skip the stop and go on to the next.

This section covers items used to make trains automatically transport items between stations. The player should be familiar with creating a rail system.

First, the player has to set up a rail system with at least two train stops, which are placed on the right-hand side of the expected train arrival direction. By hovering over the train stop with the mouse you see the positions of the vehicles for better setting up the train station (including (un)loading machinery, and refueling/repair installations).

When you set up the train schedule (see below) and fuel the train, you can start the train on its schedule by switching from manual to automatic driving mode.

=== Train schedule ===
The player can set up a list of train stations in the left locomotive's GUI. The train will route to stops in the given order, if it's at the end it will continue with the first. Stations can be added by clicking "Add station" in the GUI. A pop-up appears with a list of all stop names. If one is selected, another button appears which allows selecting a wait condition from a pop-up list. Furthermore, the map in the right part of the GUI can be used to add stations to the schedule by using {{keybinding|shift|lmb}} on a station or using {{keybinding|ctrl|lmb}} near a rail in the map to create a temporary train station. These actions can also be performed on the world map when the player is sitting inside the train.

Wait conditions are used to tell the train when to leave the station. There are 15 types of wait conditions:
* '''Circuit condition''' – The train stop is connectable to the [[circuit network]], so the signals can used for wait conditions.
* '''Empty cargo''' – All inventories of the train are empty. Does not include fuel inventories.
* '''Fluid count''' – The train (all fluid wagons summed) contains a specific amount of a certain fluid.
* '''Fuel (all locomotives)''' - All locomotives in the train collectively contain a specific amount of fuel
* '''Fuel (any locomotive)''' - Any one locomotive contains a specific amount of fuel
* '''Full cargo''' - All inventories of the train are full. Does not include fuel inventories
* '''Full fuel''' - All fuel inventories are full. Does not include cargo or fluid inventories
* '''Has cargo''' - Cargo or fluid inventories contain items.
* '''Inactivity''' – No items were added or removed for the specified amount of seconds.
* '''Item count''' – The train (all cargoes summed) contains a specific amount of a certain item. Does not include fuel inventories.
* '''Passenger present''' - At least one [[player]] is inside any part of the train.
* '''Passenger not present''' - No players are inside any part of the train.
* '''Station is full''' - A specified stop is full, according to its set train limit. If the stop has no train limit set, this condition will ''not'' be met.
* '''Station is not full''' - A specified stop is not full, according to its set train limit. If the stop has no train limit set, this condition ''will'' be met.
* '''Time passed'''

It is also possible to set no wait condition, this causes the train to simply pass by the station without stopping.

Hereafter the word "term" is used to describe ''one'' type of wait condition, and the words "wait condition" are used to describe the whole set of terms (it turns a bit into maths).

If more than one term is added, it is possible to change the connection of those using the logical operators AND and OR. An AND condition will result in true if all terms are true. An OR condition will return true if at least one of the terms is true.

When mixing AND and OR terms, the logic is grouped by the OR terms. When evaluating the wait condition, the first term is evaluated along with all AND terms immediately following up to but excluding the next occurring OR term. If they all evaluate true, the wait condition evaluates true. Otherwise, evaluation continues with that next occurring OR term and all AND terms immediately following it, up to the next OR term. This continues until either an OR group evaluates true and the wait condition is satisfied, or all terms have been checked.

==== Examples ====
[[File:Traingroup gui.png|thumb|300px|The train group GUI. There are 2 trains in "Group A" and 1 train in "Group B"]]
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:800px">
Expand for examples
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Wait until full, up to 30 seconds:

<pre>
Full cargo inventory
OR 30 seconds passed
</pre>

Wait until cargo full, ''or'' circuit condition Oil > 3000:

<pre>
Full cargo inventory
OR Circuit condition - Oil > 3000
</pre>

Wait until empty, ''and'' 30 seconds passed, ''and'' 5 seconds of inactivity:

<pre>
Empty cargo inventory
AND 30 seconds passed
AND 5 seconds of inactivity
</pre>

Wait until iron ore is low, ''or'' copper ore is low ''and'' at least 30 seconds passed:

<pre>
Cargo: Iron ore < 500
AND 30 seconds passed
OR Cargo: Copper ore < 500
AND 30 seconds passed
</pre>

Factorio's wait condition logic is read as disjunctive normal form ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disjunctive_normal_form DNF]), and so this last example is processed as (note the parenthesis):

<pre>((Cargo: Iron ore < 500 AND 30 seconds passed) OR (Cargo: Copper ore < 500 AND 30 seconds passed))</pre>

Which is the same as this:

<pre>((Cargo: Iron ore < 500 OR Cargo: Copper ore < 500) AND 30 seconds passed)</pre>

Unfortunately, there is no way to write that shorter form in the current UI.
</div></div>

=== Train groups ===
Trains are able to be assigned to a group. Selecting the small edit icon next to "no group assigned" will bring up the existing groups in the current world. One can select a group for the train to join, or create a new one. Editing the schedule of one train will change the schedules of all trains in the same group.

=== Schedule interrupts ===
[[File:Interrupt gui.png|thumb|300px|The Edit Interrupt GUI.]]

Schedule interrupts allow a locomotive to override its current schedule when a certain condition is met. Selecting "Add interrupt" in the locomotive's GUI will bring up a list of existing interrupts in the current world. One can be selected from the list, or typing in a name will create a new one. Creating one will add it to the locomotive and all locomotives in the current locomotive group.

To work, an interrupt requires two parts: a condition and a target station. When a condition is met, the interrupt will activate and insert the target station as a temporary stop in the locomotive's schedule. The locomotive will route to the target station and wait there until the specified wait condition is met, at which point it will leave and resume its original schedule.

An interrupt can be triggered on many of the same conditions as waiting at a stop, along with some new conditions:
* '''At specified station''' - The train is waiting at a specific stop
* '''Destination full or no path''' - The train's next stop is full, according to its train limit; or the train cannot physically reach its next station
* '''Not at specified station''' - The train is stopped somewhere other than the specific stop

Multiple trains can have the same interrupt regardless of whether they are in the same locomotive group or not. Editing an interrupt will change it for all trains which have the interrupt in their system.

Interrupts can be reordered within the locomotive's GUI like normal stops. If a train has multiple interrupt conditions true at the same time, it will prioritize interrupts that are higher on the list.

=== Wildcard Interrupts ===
[[File:interrupt_wildcards.png|thumb|left|300px|The four wildcard signals: Item, Fuel, Fluid, & Signal.]]
Within interrupts, trains have access to four special "wildcard" signals located within the Unsorted tab, which are special [[Circuit network#Logic signals|logic signals]] that can only be used within interrupts. Wildcard signals come in four types: item, fuel, fluid, and signal. When used as a condition to trigger an interrupt, each one looks at a specific inventory within the train and will replace itself with the signal of the first item it finds. For example, if an interrupt is set to trigger if an item parameter is over 50, and 51 [[iron gear wheel]]s are placed into a cargo wagon, the interrupt will trigger as if the condition was looking for over 50 iron gears. Item, fluid, and fuel wildcards each look at a specific inventory: [[cargo wagon|cargo]] and [[artillery wagon]]s, [[fluid wagon]]s, and [[locomotive]]s, respectively.

When used solely as a condition, wildcards act otherwise identically to the [[circuit network#Anything|anything]] logic signal. What makes them special is their function when used in both the condition and the target.

Wildcards will also replace themselves with any [[rich text]] icons within the names of [[train stop]]s. Instead of selecting a target stop from the list, instead click on the "icon" button next to the green confirm button and select the same type of wildcard as used in the condition. Then, type the name of the station. If the stop has a matching icon in its name, then the train will match the item it contains with that icon, and select that stop as the destination.

The final wildcard, Signal parameter, checks against any signals passed to the train while parked at a train stop. When combined with a signal parameter for a target station, this can make the train go to a stop which has an icon in its name matching the signal it received from the station. When combined with matching the target station based on its contents, this can be utilized to create a generic train system which can select its destination based on the item it receives.

=== Troubleshooting ===

Below are some things to verify if a rail system or train is not working.

* Is the train fueled? Ensure that the locomotive has [[fuel]] of some kind.
* Misplaced or non-functional switches? Ensure that the train can plan a path through the switches.
* Another train on the same [[Railway#Block|block]]? Make sure the path of the train is unobstructed.
* Train stops placed correctly? Make sure that the yellow arrows when hovering on the stop point towards the end or exit of the stop.
* Is the train allowed to enter signals from the right direction? Are the signals set correctly?
* If a track is supposed to be two-way, the rail signals should be opposite each other. You can verify they match up by hovering the cursor over one. For a matched pair, it will show the other.

==== No path ====
When trains cannot reach the target, a "no path" symbol pops up over the locomotive. Check:
* Can the train reach its current destination by '''only driving forward'''? Build turning slopes or place a locomotive at both ends of a train!
* Are the train stops standing in the right direction? Train stops must be on the right-hand side of the track (from the forward-facing locomotive's perspective). If the train is traveling south, the stop must be on the west side of the track.
* If you use rail signals, check that the signals are all allowing traffic in the correct direction.
* Check for interruptions in the train tracks. Especially near junctions, missing rail sections can be hard to spot.

If you are still having problems, consider these troubleshooting techniques:
* Holding {{key|ctrl}} and hovering the cursor over the tracks in map view will show the path the train would take to get there. Move the cursor along the tracks where you expect the path to go until the path disappears. If there is no missing section of rail at that point, there is likely a signalling problem.
* Try driving the train manually. If the train abruptly stops, there is a gap in the track (or possibly a redundant spur that should be removed). Otherwise, as you pass each switch, try switching to automatic. When it works, you will know the rough area of the problem.
[http://imgur.com/a/Nq2Yk A pictorial summary of typical problems].

==== Interrupts ====

When a train is about to leave the last station in an interrupt's schedule, there is no inherent mechanism which prevents the same interrupt from re-triggering. Many interrupt conditions naturally prevent retriggering by the nature of their condition. A wildcard interrupt for unloading cargo cannot trigger if the train has no cargo. Other conditions may retrigger if something in the base has malfunctioned. For example, a refueling interrupt should only trigger when fuel is low. But if the train is at the fuel station, wants to leave, and still has low fuel, then either there is no inserter to load fuel or the refueling station has run out of fuel.

But there can be cases where the conditions for a trigger's desired conditions can still happen after executing the interrupt's schedule.

To force the train to always choose a station with a different name, add "Not at specified station" to the interrupt conditions, specifying the same target station. This way, the train will be forced to pick a different interrupt, or travel to a station in its main schedule.

If the train should travel to a different station of the same name, circuit logic can be used to disable the current station and lower its priority, as well as adding "Station is not full" to the interrupt condition. Note that only disabling the station is not enough to prevent this issue, the train will only choose a different destination with the same name if it has a higher priority. Once there are no other valid stations with the same name (i.e. all of them are disabled, so there is no higher-priority station), the "Station is not full" condition will prevent the train from getting stuck.

== Elevated rails ==
[[File:Elevated intersection example.png|thumb|350px|A simple bridge using elevated rails.]]
{{About/Space age}}
Elevated rails come in a separate mod which can be enabled independently of Space Age. They come as two new buildings: [[rail ramp]] and [[rail support]]. Ramps and supports are the only items in the game able to be built in the oceans of [[Nauvis]]. When playing with Space Age itself, elevated rails become an important part of the game, as they are critical to bridging the oil oceans of [[Fulgora]]{{SA}} and the lava rivers of [[Vulcanus]]{{SA}}, as well as easily crossing the vast watery landscape on [[Gleba]]{{SA}}.

Elevated rails can be built using the [[rail planner]]. Pressing {{Keybinding|G}} will switch levels, and attempt to build a ramp up or down, if the player has one in their inventory. While holding {{Keybinding|shift}} and targeting a section of rail on the opposite level, the rail planner will automatically place any ramps and/or supports necessary to reach that destination. A rail support must be placed every 16 straight tiles. Disassembling a support or ramp will automatically disassemble any rails which rely on that support.

Players and [[enemies]] cannot walk on elevated rail. A player can enter and exit the train if it is elevated as normal, and will be teleported to the ground. If the player attempts to exit while over water or lava, nothing will happen. Both types of rail signals can be placed on elevated rail, but not train stops.

Certain buildings are too tall to be placed underneath elevated rails:
* {{IconLink|Big electric pole}}
* {{IconLink|Cargo landing pad}}
* {{IconLink|Oil refinery}}
* {{IconLink|Roboport}}
* {{IconLink|Rocket silo}}
* {{IconLink|Agricultural tower|space-age=yes}}
* {{IconLink|Cargo bay|space-age=yes}}
* {{IconLink|Lightning rod|space-age=yes}}
* {{IconLink|Lightning collector|space-age=yes}}

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|getting-on-track}}
{{Achievement|trans-factorio-express}}
{{Achievement|watch-your-step}}
{{Achievement|getting-on-track-like-a-pro}}

== See also ==
* [[Tutorial:Train signals]]
* [[Railway/Train path finding]]
* [[Locomotive]]
* [[Cargo wagon]]
* [[Fluid wagon]]
* [[Artillery wagon]]

{{C|Logistics{{!}}#Railway}} {{C|Railway{{!}}#Railway}}

Template:Space age/doc

2026-05-13T18:34:11Z

Gotube: Corrected text in usage example to match the game

A small icon that signifies that the preceding link or text is about a feature exclusive to the [[Space Age]] expansion. The template has no arguments.

Usage example:
<pre>On [[Fulgora]]{{SA}}, [[offshore pump]]s can be used to obtain [[heavy oil]] from oilsands.</pre>

On [[Fulgora]]{{SA}}, [[offshore pump]]s can be used to obtain [[heavy oil]] from oilsands.

<includeonly>[[Category:Templates]]</includeonly>
<noinclude>[[Category:Template documentation]]</noinclude>

Rail signal

2026-05-13T18:23:43Z

Gotube: /* History */ Fixed confusing history

{{Languages}}
{{:Infobox:Rail signal}}

The '''rail signal''' divides [[rail]]s into ''blocks'' and allows [[locomotive]]s to react to other locomotives, allowing multiple trains use the same rails without colliding. Blocks span all connected rails regardless of whether a train can actually travel between them. Rail signals can also be used in with conjunction [[rail chain signal]]s, which also separate rails into blocks. In addition to the explanation on this page, there is also the [[Tutorial:Train_signals|rail signal tutorial]].

[[File:Rail_blocks.png|thumb|Signals dividing rails into blocks. Each block is highlighted with a different color.]]

== Direction ==
Signals go on the right side of tracks by default (editable in options) and allow travel in that direction. An automatic train will not enter a block with signals only on the left side. Two signals directly opposite each other allow trains to travel in both directions through that point. The signal position directly opposite an existing signal is highlighted in white when the player has a rail signal in their hand.

== States ==
[[File:railsignal_anim.png]]

Rail signals have four states:
* '''Green''' - The monitored block is empty.
* '''Yellow''' - A train is not able to stop before the monitored block and will pass the signal. The [[debug mode|debug option]] <code>show-train-braking-distance</code> can be used to see the distance locomotives need to stop. A yellow signal means that a train is approaching and already has the approval to enter the following block. The block is reserved for a train and all other entrance signals of that block turn red.
* '''Red''' - The monitored block is not empty or another signal monitoring it is yellow.
* '''Blinking''' - The signal is not on a rail, or the monitored block is also the block before the signal.

When a signal is red, locomotives will stop before it. A rail chain signal can be used to make locomotives stop earlier, as they will always mimic the signal of what is in front of them.

== Circuit network ==
[[File:Rail_signal_circuit_network_gui.png|thumb|The interface for configuring a circuit network connection for a rail signal.]]
A circuit network condition can be configured that when true will make the rail signal red.

A rail signal can also output three different signals depending on if it is in its green, yellow or red state. If a rail signal is red because of a circuit network condition the rail signal won't output a circuit network signal.

== History ==

{{history|0.13.0|
* The rail signal is now connectable to the circuit network.
* Halved the mining time of the rail signal.
* Train stop placement indicator added during rail signal placement.
}}

{{history|0.11.4|
* Rail signal that fails to divide two sections of rail will blink multiple colors.}}

{{history|0.9.0|
* Players no longer collide with the rail signal.}}

{{history|0.5.0|
* Players can now see a visualization of the protected rail area when building/selecting the signal.}}

{{history|0.4.1|
* Rail signals connect to more than one rail when connected to a junction.}}

{{history|0.4.0|
* Introduced}}

== See also ==
* [[Rail chain signal]]
* [[Railway]]
* [[Tutorial:Train signals]]

{{LogisticsNav}}
{{C|Railway}}

Rail signal

2026-05-13T18:17:15Z

Gotube: /* Direction */ Rewrote for accuracy (signals monitor the track *ahead*) and readability; removed bits not relevant to direction

{{Languages}}
{{:Infobox:Rail signal}}

The '''rail signal''' divides [[rail]]s into ''blocks'' and allows [[locomotive]]s to react to other locomotives, allowing multiple trains use the same rails without colliding. Blocks span all connected rails regardless of whether a train can actually travel between them. Rail signals can also be used in with conjunction [[rail chain signal]]s, which also separate rails into blocks. In addition to the explanation on this page, there is also the [[Tutorial:Train_signals|rail signal tutorial]].

[[File:Rail_blocks.png|thumb|Signals dividing rails into blocks. Each block is highlighted with a different color.]]

== Direction ==
Signals go on the right side of tracks by default (editable in options) and allow travel in that direction. An automatic train will not enter a block with signals only on the left side. Two signals directly opposite each other allow trains to travel in both directions through that point. The signal position directly opposite an existing signal is highlighted in white when the player has a rail signal in their hand.

== States ==
[[File:railsignal_anim.png]]

Rail signals have four states:
* '''Green''' - The monitored block is empty.
* '''Yellow''' - A train is not able to stop before the monitored block and will pass the signal. The [[debug mode|debug option]] <code>show-train-braking-distance</code> can be used to see the distance locomotives need to stop. A yellow signal means that a train is approaching and already has the approval to enter the following block. The block is reserved for a train and all other entrance signals of that block turn red.
* '''Red''' - The monitored block is not empty or another signal monitoring it is yellow.
* '''Blinking''' - The signal is not on a rail, or the monitored block is also the block before the signal.

When a signal is red, locomotives will stop before it. A rail chain signal can be used to make locomotives stop earlier, as they will always mimic the signal of what is in front of them.

== Circuit network ==
[[File:Rail_signal_circuit_network_gui.png|thumb|The interface for configuring a circuit network connection for a rail signal.]]
A circuit network condition can be configured that when true will make the rail signal red.

A rail signal can also output three different signals depending on if it is in its green, yellow or red state. If a rail signal is red because of a circuit network condition the rail signal won't output a circuit network signal.

== History ==

{{history|0.13.0|
* The rail signal is now connectable to the circuit network.
* Halved the mining time of the rail signal.
* Rail signal stop placement indicator added.
}}

{{history|0.11.4|
* Rail signal that fails to divide two sections of rail will blink multiple colors.}}

{{history|0.9.0|
* Players no longer collide with the rail signal.}}

{{history|0.5.0|
* Players can now see a visualization of the protected rail area when building/selecting the signal.}}

{{history|0.4.1|
* Rail signals connect to more than one rail when connected to a junction.}}

{{history|0.4.0|
* Introduced}}

== See also ==
* [[Rail chain signal]]
* [[Railway]]
* [[Tutorial:Train signals]]

{{LogisticsNav}}
{{C|Railway}}

Rail signal

2026-05-13T17:45:33Z

Gotube: Add wikilink; readability

{{Languages}}
{{:Infobox:Rail signal}}

The '''rail signal''' divides [[rail]]s into ''blocks'' and allows [[locomotive]]s to react to other locomotives, allowing multiple trains use the same rails without colliding. Blocks span all connected rails regardless of whether a train can actually travel between them. Rail signals can also be used in with conjunction [[rail chain signal]]s, which also separate rails into blocks. In addition to the explanation on this page, there is also the [[Tutorial:Train_signals|rail signal tutorial]].

[[File:Rail_blocks.png|thumb|Signals dividing rails into blocks. Each block is highlighted with a different color.]]

== Direction ==
Which block a signal monitors depends on which side of a rail it is placed. When a signal is on the right-hand side of the track, it monitors and protects the rail block behind it, up to the next signal or the end of the track. When placing rail signals, the rail signal blocks will be visible, and the opposite signal position will be highlighted in white. A train in automatic mode will not drive on a track if it would pass a signal on the left side unless there is also a signal on the right side at that signal.

== States ==
[[File:railsignal_anim.png]]

Rail signals have four states:
* '''Green''' - The monitored block is empty.
* '''Yellow''' - A train is not able to stop before the monitored block and will pass the signal. The [[debug mode|debug option]] <code>show-train-braking-distance</code> can be used to see the distance locomotives need to stop. A yellow signal means that a train is approaching and already has the approval to enter the following block. The block is reserved for a train and all other entrance signals of that block turn red.
* '''Red''' - The monitored block is not empty or another signal monitoring it is yellow.
* '''Blinking''' - The signal is not on a rail, or the monitored block is also the block before the signal.

When a signal is red, locomotives will stop before it. A rail chain signal can be used to make locomotives stop earlier, as they will always mimic the signal of what is in front of them.

== Circuit network ==
[[File:Rail_signal_circuit_network_gui.png|thumb|The interface for configuring a circuit network connection for a rail signal.]]
A circuit network condition can be configured that when true will make the rail signal red.

A rail signal can also output three different signals depending on if it is in its green, yellow or red state. If a rail signal is red because of a circuit network condition the rail signal won't output a circuit network signal.

== History ==

{{history|0.13.0|
* The rail signal is now connectable to the circuit network.
* Halved the mining time of the rail signal.
* Rail signal stop placement indicator added.
}}

{{history|0.11.4|
* Rail signal that fails to divide two sections of rail will blink multiple colors.}}

{{history|0.9.0|
* Players no longer collide with the rail signal.}}

{{history|0.5.0|
* Players can now see a visualization of the protected rail area when building/selecting the signal.}}

{{history|0.4.1|
* Rail signals connect to more than one rail when connected to a junction.}}

{{history|0.4.0|
* Introduced}}

== See also ==
* [[Rail chain signal]]
* [[Railway]]
* [[Tutorial:Train signals]]

{{LogisticsNav}}
{{C|Railway}}

Railway

2026-05-13T17:07:48Z

Gotube: /* Switches */ Removed anything not about switches; reordered parts by priority; some readability edits

{{Languages}}
[[File:Railway_from_trailer_2020.png|thumb|right|430px|Railway in the [https://youtu.be/J8SBp4SyvLc official game trailer.]]]
:''For the research see [[Railway (research)]]''

'''The Railway''' is one of the main transport methods in Factorio. Although the installation of such a network can be complicated and requires a large amount of resources and space, it is faster and more efficient than [[Belt transport system|belts]] and [[Logistic network|robot logistics]], especially over large distances.

Railway construction, however, is not understood instantly. It takes some time to learn the basics, such as automating transportation. Learning how to manage and maintain the upkeep of a larger train network takes time and experience. Rails can be built on the ground, or can be - with the [[Space Age]] expansion - elevated with the help of a [[rail ramp]] and [[rail support]]s so that trains can travel over obstacles.

== Infrastructure ==

To build a railway, tracks (also called rails) must be built for the train to ride on. Typically, this is done via the [[rail planner]], but can also be done manually. Bear in mind that rails are placed on a two-tile grid, so a rail cannot be moved by only one tile.

=== Minimum manually operated railway ===
As a minimum, a manually operated railway has to consist of:
* [[Rail]]s (tracks)
* [[Locomotive]]s

Locomotives and wagons can be entered and then manually operated by standing next to them and pressing the {{Key|ENTER}} key.

=== Switches ===
* Switches are forks in tracks that allow a train to pick between two directional options.
* Using the rail planner, the player must place a [[rail]] overlapping an existing rail to form a switch.
* There is no visual representation of a working switch, but the rails will appear to merge.
* The crossing of two straight tracks is not usable as a switch because trains have a limited turning radius.

[[File:fff-140-controlled-gates_sm.gif|frame|An example of a safe railway crossing. [https://wiki.factorio.com/images/Fff-140-controlled-gates.gif Click here] for the full-sized version of the image.]]

=== Crossing tracks ===

'''Be careful when crossing train tracks! Trains are one of the highest damaging entities in the game, and will kill most players instantly on contact.'''

A checklist of proper track-crossing etiquette:

# Zoom out, so that you can see a train coming.
# Look left, then right.
# Check for signals nearby: If a [[rail signal]] suddenly jumps from green to red or green to yellow, a train is coming. Do not cross.
# Avoid walking near the tracks, as you do not need to be fully on the tracks to get hit.
# While it is possible to get into/out of a train while it is moving, a miss can cost your life. The sides of the train can still deal damage, as well as the player being able to slip between two rail cars.
# Heavy [[Energy shield|shields]] can be used to reduce the damage taken. In extreme cases, it is possible to stop a train with your body. This will require several shield modules to not be instantly killed and will drain a large amount of the suit's energy.
# All entities with health will take damage getting hit by a train, so take care not to leave a [[car]] or [[tank]] on the tracks. However, this includes hostile forces!
# Trains far from a [[train stop]] will be traveling at (near) max speed, so take extra precaution when crossing and zoom out further. Trains near a [[train stop]] or signal will slow down to stop and will be traveling slower. Trains of different configurations will also move slower or faster.

A safe railroad crossing like the example shown in the picture can be built. This works by restricting access to the tracks when an oncoming train has the rails reserved. When the player is on the rails, the signals are reserved by the [[circuit network]], and the train must stop and wait until the player leaves the tracks. When a player is inside the area crossing the tracks, the train gates are closed so the player can't get on the tracks outside the crossing. This is to completely ensure a safe crossing and is often used on servers.

{{clear}}

== Trains ==
Train components:

{| class="wikitable"
|{{Imagelink|Locomotive}} || {{Imagelink|Cargo wagon}} || {{Imagelink|Fluid wagon}} || {{Imagelink|Artillery wagon}}
|}

[[File:Railway-assemble-train.png|thumb|left|300px|Placing a [[Cargo wagon]] so it is attached to the train.]]

* A train consists of at least one locomotive.
* Trains can have more than one locomotive and any number of [[wagon]]s.
* Locomotives can be '''manually''' driven forwards or backwards, however, they are generally slower going backwards. The left and right movement keys are used to change direction at switches.
* Trains can only drive forwards automatically. An automatic train can drive forwards and backwards when two locomotives facing different directions are connected to the train.
* A train needs [[fuel]] to drive. Fuel can be added by inserters when the train is in manual mode or parked at a station, not when waiting at a signal or standing in automatic mode.

The locomotives' inventory is only used for [[fuel]]. To transport items or fluids [[cargo wagon]]s and/or [[fluid wagon]]s have to be attached to the train. To attach rolling stock, whether a wagon or a locomotive, the player may prepare to place one near an existing train, where a green graphic will show the player that the stock will be attached, showing a connection between the train and the new stock. Alternatively, the player may manually connect rolling stock to trains with the rolling stock connect key, if the cargo wagon is placed far away from a train. Rolling stock can likewise be disconnected with the rolling stock disconnect key.

{{clear}}

== Stations ==
[[File:station-example-1.png|thumb|right|256px|A very minimal train station.]]

Train stations are the only place where trains can be loaded or unloaded when they are in automatic mode. Cargo wagons can be filled or emptied by up to twelve adjacent [[inserters]] (six on each side). Inserters can also be used to insert fuel into locomotives. [[Pump]]s are used to transfer fluid into and out of fluid wagons, only three pumps can attach to one fluid wagon at once.

Train stations are usually created by placing a [[train stop]]. Train stops must be on the right-hand side of the track. However, it is also possible to create a temporary train station by opening a locomotive's GUI and using {{Keybinding|ctrl|lmb}} near a rail in the minimap in the GUI or by entering a locomotive and using {{Keybinding|ctrl|lmb}} near a rail on the world map. This will create a station without requiring a train stop. The temporary train station has a default wait condition of 5 seconds and is removed from the schedule once the train leaves the station.

{{clear}}

== Signals ==
{| class="wikitable"
| {{Imagelink|Rail signal}} || {{Imagelink|Rail chain signal}}
|}

Rail signals are used to employ multiple trains automatically without the danger of trains crashing into each other. Rail signals split the network into blocks and ensure that only one train can be in every block at any time. Note that driving a train manually ignores all signals, so it is possible for automatic trains to crash into the player if the player ignores red/yellow signals. Always beware of automatic trains and give them the right of way.

The [[Tutorial:Train signals|train signals tutorial]] contains an in-depth explanation of rail signals, blocks and deadlocks.

=== Basic signaling rules ===
* There can only be one train in a block at any time. A train spanning multiple blocks occupies them all.
* A red signal means that the following block is occupied by a train.
* A yellow signal means that a train is approaching and already has the approval to enter the following block.
* [[Rail signal]]s separate a new block and reflect its state: green - free, yellow - reserved, red - occupied
* [[Rail chain signal]]s separate a new block and reflect the state of the next signal(s): see above, blue - at least one of the paths is blocked, but not all
* A train can only pass a signal on the right of the track, or if there is a signal on both sides on the same rail segment. Of course, manual driving overrides this.

== Automated transport ==
[[File:locomotive_gui.png|thumb|300px|The wait condition tab in the locomotive's GUI.]]

Trains set on "Automatic" choose their destination stop and route on departure, and after waiting at a chain signal for five seconds, and when their destination stop disables itself by circuit condition. They choose the shortest route using a [[Railway/Train_path_finding|path finding algorithm]] that will get them to an enabled train stop with the right name, taking penalties for any apparent-at-the-time delays into account. If no such train stop exists they will skip the stop and go on to the next.

This section covers items used to make trains automatically transport items between stations. The player should be familiar with creating a rail system.

First, the player has to set up a rail system with at least two train stops, which are placed on the right-hand side of the expected train arrival direction. By hovering over the train stop with the mouse you see the positions of the vehicles for better setting up the train station (including (un)loading machinery, and refueling/repair installations).

When you set up the train schedule (see below) and fuel the train, you can start the train on its schedule by switching from manual to automatic driving mode.

=== Train schedule ===
The player can set up a list of train stations in the left locomotive's GUI. The train will route to stops in the given order, if it's at the end it will continue with the first. Stations can be added by clicking "Add station" in the GUI. A pop-up appears with a list of all stop names. If one is selected, another button appears which allows selecting a wait condition from a pop-up list. Furthermore, the map in the right part of the GUI can be used to add stations to the schedule by using {{keybinding|shift|lmb}} on a station or using {{keybinding|ctrl|lmb}} near a rail in the map to create a temporary train station. These actions can also be performed on the world map when the player is sitting inside the train.

Wait conditions are used to tell the train when to leave the station. There are 15 types of wait conditions:
* '''Circuit condition''' – The train stop is connectable to the [[circuit network]], so the signals can used for wait conditions.
* '''Empty cargo''' – All inventories of the train are empty. Does not include fuel inventories.
* '''Fluid count''' – The train (all fluid wagons summed) contains a specific amount of a certain fluid.
* '''Fuel (all locomotives)''' - All locomotives in the train collectively contain a specific amount of fuel
* '''Fuel (any locomotive)''' - Any one locomotive contains a specific amount of fuel
* '''Full cargo''' - All inventories of the train are full. Does not include fuel inventories
* '''Full fuel''' - All fuel inventories are full. Does not include cargo or fluid inventories
* '''Has cargo''' - Cargo or fluid inventories contain items.
* '''Inactivity''' – No items were added or removed for the specified amount of seconds.
* '''Item count''' – The train (all cargoes summed) contains a specific amount of a certain item. Does not include fuel inventories.
* '''Passenger present''' - At least one [[player]] is inside any part of the train.
* '''Passenger not present''' - No players are inside any part of the train.
* '''Station is full''' - A specified stop is full, according to its set train limit. If the stop has no train limit set, this condition will ''not'' be met.
* '''Station is not full''' - A specified stop is not full, according to its set train limit. If the stop has no train limit set, this condition ''will'' be met.
* '''Time passed'''

It is also possible to set no wait condition, this causes the train to simply pass by the station without stopping.

Hereafter the word "term" is used to describe ''one'' type of wait condition, and the words "wait condition" are used to describe the whole set of terms (it turns a bit into maths).

If more than one term is added, it is possible to change the connection of those using the logical operators AND and OR. An AND condition will result in true if all terms are true. An OR condition will return true if at least one of the terms is true.

When mixing AND and OR terms, the logic is grouped by the OR terms. When evaluating the wait condition, the first term is evaluated along with all AND terms immediately following up to but excluding the next occurring OR term. If they all evaluate true, the wait condition evaluates true. Otherwise, evaluation continues with that next occurring OR term and all AND terms immediately following it, up to the next OR term. This continues until either an OR group evaluates true and the wait condition is satisfied, or all terms have been checked.

==== Examples ====
[[File:Traingroup gui.png|thumb|300px|The train group GUI. There are 2 trains in "Group A" and 1 train in "Group B"]]
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:800px">
Expand for examples
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Wait until full, up to 30 seconds:

<pre>
Full cargo inventory
OR 30 seconds passed
</pre>

Wait until cargo full, ''or'' circuit condition Oil > 3000:

<pre>
Full cargo inventory
OR Circuit condition - Oil > 3000
</pre>

Wait until empty, ''and'' 30 seconds passed, ''and'' 5 seconds of inactivity:

<pre>
Empty cargo inventory
AND 30 seconds passed
AND 5 seconds of inactivity
</pre>

Wait until iron ore is low, ''or'' copper ore is low ''and'' at least 30 seconds passed:

<pre>
Cargo: Iron ore < 500
AND 30 seconds passed
OR Cargo: Copper ore < 500
AND 30 seconds passed
</pre>

Factorio's wait condition logic is read as disjunctive normal form ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disjunctive_normal_form DNF]), and so this last example is processed as (note the parenthesis):

<pre>((Cargo: Iron ore < 500 AND 30 seconds passed) OR (Cargo: Copper ore < 500 AND 30 seconds passed))</pre>

Which is the same as this:

<pre>((Cargo: Iron ore < 500 OR Cargo: Copper ore < 500) AND 30 seconds passed)</pre>

Unfortunately, there is no way to write that shorter form in the current UI.
</div></div>

=== Train groups ===
Trains are able to be assigned to a group. Selecting the small edit icon next to "no group assigned" will bring up the existing groups in the current world. One can select a group for the train to join, or create a new one. Editing the schedule of one train will change the schedules of all trains in the same group.

=== Schedule interrupts ===
[[File:Interrupt gui.png|thumb|300px|The Edit Interrupt GUI.]]

Schedule interrupts allow a locomotive to override its current schedule when a certain condition is met. Selecting "Add interrupt" in the locomotive's GUI will bring up a list of existing interrupts in the current world. One can be selected from the list, or typing in a name will create a new one. Creating one will add it to the locomotive and all locomotives in the current locomotive group.

To work, an interrupt requires two parts: a condition and a target station. When a condition is met, the interrupt will activate and insert the target station as a temporary stop in the locomotive's schedule. The locomotive will route to the target station and wait there until the specified wait condition is met, at which point it will leave and resume its original schedule.

An interrupt can be triggered on many of the same conditions as waiting at a stop, along with some new conditions:
* '''At specified station''' - The train is waiting at a specific stop
* '''Destination full or no path''' - The train's next stop is full, according to its train limit; or the train cannot physically reach its next station
* '''Not at specified station''' - The train is stopped somewhere other than the specific stop

Multiple trains can have the same interrupt regardless of whether they are in the same locomotive group or not. Editing an interrupt will change it for all trains which have the interrupt in their system.

Interrupts can be reordered within the locomotive's GUI like normal stops. If a train has multiple interrupt conditions true at the same time, it will prioritize interrupts that are higher on the list.

=== Wildcard Interrupts ===
[[File:interrupt_wildcards.png|thumb|left|300px|The four wildcard signals: Item, Fuel, Fluid, & Signal.]]
Within interrupts, trains have access to four special "wildcard" signals located within the Unsorted tab, which are special [[Circuit network#Logic signals|logic signals]] that can only be used within interrupts. Wildcard signals come in four types: item, fuel, fluid, and signal. When used as a condition to trigger an interrupt, each one looks at a specific inventory within the train and will replace itself with the signal of the first item it finds. For example, if an interrupt is set to trigger if an item parameter is over 50, and 51 [[iron gear wheel]]s are placed into a cargo wagon, the interrupt will trigger as if the condition was looking for over 50 iron gears. Item, fluid, and fuel wildcards each look at a specific inventory: [[cargo wagon|cargo]] and [[artillery wagon]]s, [[fluid wagon]]s, and [[locomotive]]s, respectively.

When used solely as a condition, wildcards act otherwise identically to the [[circuit network#Anything|anything]] logic signal. What makes them special is their function when used in both the condition and the target.

Wildcards will also replace themselves with any [[rich text]] icons within the names of [[train stop]]s. Instead of selecting a target stop from the list, instead click on the "icon" button next to the green confirm button and select the same type of wildcard as used in the condition. Then, type the name of the station. If the stop has a matching icon in its name, then the train will match the item it contains with that icon, and select that stop as the destination.

The final wildcard, Signal parameter, checks against any signals passed to the train while parked at a train stop. When combined with a signal parameter for a target station, this can make the train go to a stop which has an icon in its name matching the signal it received from the station. When combined with matching the target station based on its contents, this can be utilized to create a generic train system which can select its destination based on the item it receives.

=== Troubleshooting ===

Below are some things to verify if a rail system or train is not working.

* Is the train fueled? Ensure that the locomotive has [[fuel]] of some kind.
* Misplaced or non-functional switches? Ensure that the train can plan a path through the switches.
* Another train on the same [[Railway#Block|block]]? Make sure the path of the train is unobstructed.
* Train stops placed correctly? Make sure that the yellow arrows when hovering on the stop point towards the end or exit of the stop.
* Is the train allowed to enter signals from the right direction? Are the signals set correctly?
* If a track is supposed to be two-way, the rail signals should be opposite each other. You can verify they match up by hovering the cursor over one. For a matched pair, it will show the other.

==== No path ====
When trains cannot reach the target, a "no path" symbol pops up over the locomotive. Check:
* Can the train reach its current destination by '''only driving forward'''? Build turning slopes or place a locomotive at both ends of a train!
* Are the train stops standing in the right direction? Train stops must be on the right-hand side of the track (from the forward-facing locomotive's perspective). If the train is traveling south, the stop must be on the west side of the track.
* If you use rail signals, check that the signals are all allowing traffic in the correct direction.
* Check for interruptions in the train tracks. Especially near junctions, missing rail sections can be hard to spot.

If you are still having problems, consider these troubleshooting techniques:
* Holding {{key|ctrl}} and hovering the cursor over the tracks in map view will show the path the train would take to get there. Move the cursor along the tracks where you expect the path to go until the path disappears. If there is no missing section of rail at that point, there is likely a signalling problem.
* Try driving the train manually. If the train abruptly stops, there is a gap in the track (or possibly a redundant spur that should be removed). Otherwise, as you pass each switch, try switching to automatic. When it works, you will know the rough area of the problem.
[http://imgur.com/a/Nq2Yk A pictorial summary of typical problems].

==== Interrupts ====

When a train is about to leave the last station in an interrupt's schedule, there is no inherent mechanism which prevents the same interrupt from re-triggering. Many interrupt conditions naturally prevent retriggering by the nature of their condition. A wildcard interrupt for unloading cargo cannot trigger if the train has no cargo. Other conditions may retrigger if something in the base has malfunctioned. For example, a refueling interrupt should only trigger when fuel is low. But if the train is at the fuel station, wants to leave, and still has low fuel, then either there is no inserter to load fuel or the refueling station has run out of fuel.

But there can be cases where the conditions for a trigger's desired conditions can still happen after executing the interrupt's schedule.

To force the train to always choose a station with a different name, add "Not at specified station" to the interrupt conditions, specifying the same target station. This way, the train will be forced to pick a different interrupt, or travel to a station in its main schedule.

If the train should travel to a different station of the same name, circuit logic can be used to disable the current station and lower its priority, as well as adding "Station is not full" to the interrupt condition. Note that only disabling the station is not enough to prevent this issue, the train will only choose a different destination with the same name if it has a higher priority. Once there are no other valid stations with the same name (i.e. all of them are disabled, so there is no higher-priority station), the "Station is not full" condition will prevent the train from getting stuck.

== Elevated rails ==
[[File:Elevated intersection example.png|thumb|350px|A simple bridge using elevated rails.]]
{{About/Space age}}
Elevated rails come in a separate mod which can be enabled independently of Space Age. They come as two new buildings: [[rail ramp]] and [[rail support]]. Ramps and supports are the only items in the game able to be built in the oceans of [[Nauvis]]. When playing with Space Age itself, elevated rails become an important part of the game, as they are critical to bridging the oil oceans of [[Fulgora]]{{SA}} and the lava rivers of [[Vulcanus]]{{SA}}, as well as easily crossing the vast watery landscape on [[Gleba]]{{SA}}.

Elevated rails can be built using the [[rail planner]]. Pressing {{Keybinding|G}} will switch levels, and attempt to build a ramp up or down, if the player has one in their inventory. While holding {{Keybinding|shift}} and targeting a section of rail on the opposite level, the rail planner will automatically place any ramps and/or supports necessary to reach that destination. A rail support must be placed every 16 straight tiles. Disassembling a support or ramp will automatically disassemble any rails which rely on that support.

Players and [[enemies]] cannot walk on elevated rail. A player can enter and exit the train if it is elevated as normal, and will be teleported to the ground. If the player attempts to exit while over water or lava, nothing will happen. Both types of rail signals can be placed on elevated rail, but not train stops.

Certain buildings are too tall to be placed underneath elevated rails:
* {{IconLink|Big electric pole}}
* {{IconLink|Cargo landing pad}}
* {{IconLink|Oil refinery}}
* {{IconLink|Roboport}}
* {{IconLink|Rocket silo}}
* {{IconLink|Agricultural tower|space-age=yes}}
* {{IconLink|Cargo bay|space-age=yes}}
* {{IconLink|Lightning rod|space-age=yes}}
* {{IconLink|Lightning collector|space-age=yes}}

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|getting-on-track}}
{{Achievement|trans-factorio-express}}
{{Achievement|watch-your-step}}
{{Achievement|getting-on-track-like-a-pro}}

== See also ==
* [[Tutorial:Train signals]]
* [[Railway/Train path finding]]
* [[Locomotive]]
* [[Cargo wagon]]
* [[Fluid wagon]]
* [[Artillery wagon]]

{{C|Logistics{{!}}#Railway}} {{C|Railway{{!}}#Railway}}

Talk:Materials and recipes

2026-03-03T05:38:48Z

Gotube: /* Where are the recipes? Does the page name need to change? */ new section

== Are raw resources items ? ==

IMO they are too many things described/listed in this page. I think that it would be clearer if we limit the concept of '''Items''' to those who can be crafted IG (i.e. who can be fund in the crafting menu).

As a consequence '''raw resources''' will have a dedicated page. BTW in the wiki a lot of links point directly to this subsection, doesn't that mean that it is a specific concept ? [[User:Mgiraud|Mgiraud]] ([[User talk:Mgiraud|talk]]) 05:29, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

== Organization of the items ==

I think that this page would be clearer (and with no more discussion/editing about sorting) if we use the same sections that those who are used IG in the crafting menu, in the same order : Logistics, Production, Intermediate products, Combat... In each section we may have a table for each line in the menu.

If we do that it would be easier to have a global introduction text, with a link to the crafting concept, as well as explanation in each section.

As you can see, my proposition is to have a wiki organized like it is IG. [[User:Mgiraud|Mgiraud]] ([[User talk:Mgiraud|talk]]) 05:40, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

: Makes sense to me. Most of the subsections currently here already have their own pages anyway, which would be a better place to list these particular groupings of items. --[[User:Super aardvark|Super aardvark]] ([[User talk:Super aardvark|talk]]) 02:06, 21 September 2016 (UTC)

== Remove spidertron remote etc? ==
- spidertron remote
- red wire
- green wire
- discharge defense remote
- artillery remote
are no longer craftable items, and ingame - both factoriopedia and the crafting menu - doesnt show them in the same places anymore. Should we remove them from this page? Move them to an "unsorted" tab like ingame? --[[User:Zaz|Zaz]] ([[User talk:Zaz|talk]]) 14:50, 12 November 2024 (UTC)

== Where are the recipes? Does the page name need to change? ==

I came here to find info about the first three asteroid chunk reprocessing recipes, but there's only links to the asteroid chunks themselves. Poking around the menu, I don't see any recipes at all, only materials. Should the page be renamed "Materials", or am I missing something? --[[User:Gotube|Gotube]] ([[User talk:Gotube|talk]]) 05:38, 3 March 2026 (UTC)

Space platform

2026-02-17T22:25:31Z

Gotube: /* Asteroids */ Readability

{{Languages}}
{{About/Space age}}
[[File:Space platform.jpg|thumb|Space platform example provided by Wube in [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 Friday Facts #381 - Space Platforms]]]

'''Space platforms''' are factories that can be built in space. Each space platform is a self-contained factory supported by a [[space platform hub]].

== Purpose ==
Broadly speaking, there are three purposes which space platforms might serve:
* To craft recipes that can only be crafted in space, such as manufacturing [[space science pack]]s.
* To transport players and items between planets.
* To collect and process [[asteroids]].

== Creation and deletion ==
Space platforms are created by loading a [[space platform starter pack]] into a rocket and pressing the button to create a new space platform. Alternatively, players may order the creation of a space platform from the remote view through the list on the top-left corner of the screen, in which case the necessary space platform starter pack is treated as a request from a not-yet-existing space platform around the specified planet. Either way, players are then allowed to name their new space platform. Note that space platforms can later be renamed from the menus of their space platform hubs.

Platforms can be deleted. After confirming that the platform is to be deleted, the deleted platform goes into a queue, which is shown at the bottom of the platform list in the remote view. Should the player regret their decision, then this gives five minutes to decide if they want to undo the removal of the platform before it is permanently deleted.

If the platform hub is destroyed, the entire space platform and all of its contents are lost. If any [[player]] is aboard when this happens, the player will respawn at the last planet they were at before going to space.

== Construction ==
Unlike planetary surfaces, space platforms can only be edited by using the remote view. Therefore, players will order the construction of a space platform by placing ghosts. Instead of [[construction robot]]s being used for constructing the space platform, the platform itself will automatically construct ghost entities and move ghost items to and from the platform hub as soon as materials are available and these actions are not obstructed. If the necessary materials are not available, they will be automatically requested from the planet where the space platform is stationed, if the appropriate option is enabled in the platform's logistic requests section.

A newly-created space platform consists of a 10×10 square of [[space platform foundation]] with a [[space platform hub]] in its center, all surrounded by empty space. Unlike most buildings, the space platform hub cannot be removed, and its destruction directly results in the loss of the entire space platform.

As nothing can be built on empty space, the platform must first be expanded with more space platform foundation. The platform's foundation must consist of a single connected area with no detached islands, and holes of empty space surrounded by foundation are not allowed. Should these rules be broken, then the violating tiles will not be built or removed before the issue is resolved.

[[Asteroid collector]]s and [[thruster]]s can only be built on the edge of the platform. In particular, thrusters can only be built on the southern edge, and no foundation can be built within the rectangular area extending from the southern edge of the thruster for 82 tiles.

The entire platform surface functions as an [[electric system|electric network]], so space platforms do not need any power poles.

=== Placement restrictions ===
Some entities cannot be placed on space platforms:
* [[Chests]] can't be placed on platforms. The main storage structure is the platform hub.
* [[Robots]] and [[roboport]]s don't function in space, and no [[railway]] entities can be placed.
* [[Burner devices]] can't be placed on platforms. According to [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 FFF-381], this is to add "a bit of realism as there's no atmosphere in space".
* Space platforms have particular surface conditions, so buildings which have restrictions may not be placed on them. This is the same as for any other surface.

Electric poles can be built, but the global electric network covering the entire platform powers all devices. As such, electric poles are only useful as a way to [[circuit network|wire together]] distant entities.

=== Maximum platform size ===
The space platform can be as large as desired, however it may only extend up to 200 [[tile]]s north from the center of the [[space platform hub]].

== Transport between planets and space platforms ==

To transport players and items between a planet's surface and a space platform, the space platform must be stationed in orbit around the planet.

Items are delivered up to a platform by launching a [[rocket]] from a [[rocket silo]]. This can be done in one of three ways:
* Filling the rocket manually or by using inserters, then manually sending the rocket towards the space platform by using the rocket silo's menu. This method allows sending rockets with several different types of items inside the same rocket, but cannot be automated.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub, then filling a rocket with items of a type that is being requested, either manually or using by inserters. The rocket will then launch automatically. Only one type of item may be sent per rocket using this method.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub while having a rocket silo set to request items from the logistic network. This allows [[logistic robot]]s to fill the rocket automatically, and the rocket will launch automatically when full. Only one type of item will be sent per rocket.

The space platform hub will automatically request any items that are needed for construction of the platform. Automatic requests can receive items from any planet, whereas manual requests will only be fulfilled at one planet specified by the player. For manual requests, it is also possible to set a custom minimum payload per rocket instead of only accepting full rockets.

Items can be sent to a planet orbited by a space platform in one of two ways:
* Manually moving items into the platform hub's orbital drop slots.
* Assigning logistic requests to a planet's [[cargo landing pad]].

The items will then be carried to the planet's surface by [[cargo pod]]s. If the planet has a cargo landing pad, then the cargo pods will go there, placing their payloads directly inside the cargo landing pad's inventory (spilling the items if the cargo landing pad is already full). Otherwise, the cargo pod will land at a random location near the planet's spawn point. Landed cargo pods will wait for players to collect their payloads, and are automatically destroyed when emptied.

Unlike transfers from a planet's surface to a space platform, transfers from space platforms to planetary surfaces come at no material costs despite the appearance of a cargo pod.

== Passengers ==
Characters can travel to space platforms by riding a rocket, and can likewise leave the platform in a cargo pod.

One character traveling to a space platform takes up an entire rocket, and is not allowed to carry any items in their inventory, except for their equipped weapons and armor (but not ammunition). All other items must be transferred to the space platform hub in separate rockets.

Players aboard space platforms are locked inside the space platform hub, unable to move. The player is therefore locked into remote view until they drop their character to a planetary surface. Note that there is no way to access a player's inventory while in this state.

[[Biter egg]]s and [[pentapod egg]]s that spoil on the platform (either in the hub or on a belt) produce enemy entities like normal. These enemies do not suffocate, nor are they damaged by the environment. They will attack nearby structures as normal.

== Travel ==
Space platforms with one or more [[thruster]]s are able to perform voyages between different space locations, such as planets. The more thrusters that are installed on a platform, the faster the platform can get to its destination, but this also causes asteroids to appear faster and threaten the platform. When the thrusters are stopped while in mid-destination, the platform will slowly move toward the destination it's closer to via gravitational pull.

=== Weight ===
Platform weight depends on how many [[space platform foundation]] tiles the platform has. Each tile of [[space platform foundation]] weighs 200kg or 0.2 tons. The [[space platform hub]] itself weighs 20 tons. Notably, extra [[cargo bay]]s do not increase the platform's weight (aside from requiring [[space platform foundation]] under them).

=== Interplanetary schedules ===
Travel between planets can be automated, in a manner similar to using [[railway|trains]]. Clicking on the [[space platform hub]] will bring up its GUI. Individual planets can be added to the platform's schedule by clicking the "add station" button. A popup will appear with all currently unlocked space destinations. When one is selected, another button appears for selecting a wait condition from a drop-down list. Like trains, wait conditions are used to tell the platform when to leave the planet's orbit. If no wait condition is selected, the platform will continue to its next stop, if one exists. One can also select if the platform will unload cargo at a planet. If this option is deselected, platforms will not drop any items down to planets automatically.
[[File:Space_station_hub_gui.png|thumb|300px|The space platform's GUI. There is one station set for the [[solar system edge]]. ]]

When set to "automatic" mode, the platform will automatically fly to the designated planet. If attempting to travel to a planet that has no direct route to, the platform will fill in any gaps along the way. For example, attempting to fly from [[Vulcanus]] to [[Fulgora]] will have a platform automatically fly to [[Nauvis]] first.

There are 12 types of wait conditions, many of them unique to space platforms:
* '''All requests satisfied''': All requests from the current planet have been satisfied.
* '''Any request not satisfied''': At least one request from the current planet is not satisfied.
* '''Any request zero''': At least one request (from anywhere, including from no planet at all) is at zero on the platform.
* '''Circuit condition''': A condition is met from the [[circuit network]].
* '''Damage taken''': The platform has received a certain value of damage, defaulting to 1,000.
* '''Inactivity''': No items were received or dropped out of the hub for the specified amount of seconds.
* '''Item count''': The hub contains a specific amount of a certain item.
* '''Passenger not present''': No players are present on the platform.
* '''Passenger present''': At least one player is present on the platform.
* '''Request not satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is not satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Request satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Time passed'''

Additionally, platforms can make use of [[Railway#Schedule interrupts|schedule interrupts]], which behave exactly like trains. There is also an interrupt condition not present in the wait conditions list:
* '''Any planet import zero''': Any of a specific planet's imports are not satisfied.

The one exception to wait conditions is when traveling to the [[shattered planet]]. When this is selected, the wait condition becomes a "fly condition". Whatever condition is set will trigger while en-route to the shattered planet as if the platform was already stopped there. This is because the player is not intended to actually reach the shattered planet (though it is possible), and so the fly condition becomes a way to easily turn the platform around at a certain time.

If the platform hub is connected to a circuit network outside the hub, the following options are available:
* '''Read contents''': The hub will output its contents to the circuit network.
* '''Send to platform''': Any signals on the circuit network will be passed to the scheduler for use in "Circuit condition".
* '''Read moving to''': The platform will output the current destination planet with a value of 1.
* '''Read moving from''': The platform will output the planet of departure with a value of 2.
** The "from" and "to" signals are both output when waiting at a planet, so if both signals are activated, a signal of 3 indicates a stationary platform.
* '''Read speed''': The platform will output its current velocity, by default with the [[File:Signal-V.png|24px]] signal.
** A speed signal will only be 0 when stopped at a planet. If a platform is stopped between planets, it will slowly drift into orbit of the nearest planet, giving the signal a value of 10 or -10.
* '''Read damage taken''': The platform will output the amount of damage taken in the current trip, by default with [[File:Signal-D.png|24px]] signal.

== Asteroids ==
{{main|asteroids}}

Space platforms regularly encounter [[asteroids]].

The smallest asteroids are called "chunks". Chunks can be collected by [[asteroid collector]]s and processed into various raw materials by [[crusher]]s. Among other uses, it is possible to convert these materials into [[thruster fuel]] and [[thruster oxidizer]].

Asteroids larger than chunks may also appear. They cannot be grabbed by asteroid collectors, and will damage the space platform upon impact. They can be broken into multiple smaller asteroids by turrets. This is done repeatedly until they become chunks.

During voyages, the number and relative velocity of asteroids increases proportionally to the platform's speed. Different locations contain different amounts of each type of asteroid, and routes between locations may vary these numbers over the course of a journey. For example, only chunks will appear when in stationary orbit around [[Nauvis]], thus providing a safe building environment free of larger asteroids that may damage the platform.

== Access to basic resources ==
* [[Water]] can be obtained from [[oxide asteroid chunk]]s via [[oxide asteroid crushing]] and [[ice melting]].
* [[Stone]] is not obtainable and must be brought up from planets.
* [[Iron ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Copper ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[advanced metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Coal]] can be obtained from [[carbonic asteroid chunk]]s via [[coal synthesis]] by using [[carbon]] and [[sulfur]] from [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Crude oil]] is not obtainable. However:
** [[Sulfur]] can be obtained via [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
** [[Heavy oil]] can be obtained via [[simple coal liquefaction]] using [[calcite]] obtained from [[advanced oxide asteroid crushing]].

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|reach-for-the-stars}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="300px" heights="200px">
space platform titlescreen.png|Space platform seen on the expansion's title screen.
</gallery>

== History ==
{{history|2.0.23|
* Added an error message when manually trying to launch a rocket to a full space platform.
* Changed space platforms to not delete items on the ground when deconstructing them.}}

{{history|2.0.14|
* Deletion of space platforms requires confirmation.}}

{{history|2.0.7|
* Introduced in [[Space Age]]{{SA}} expansion.
}}

{{SpaceNav}}

Space platform

2026-02-17T22:24:59Z

Gotube: /* Asteroids */ Removed advice-giving

{{Languages}}
{{About/Space age}}
[[File:Space platform.jpg|thumb|Space platform example provided by Wube in [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 Friday Facts #381 - Space Platforms]]]

'''Space platforms''' are factories that can be built in space. Each space platform is a self-contained factory supported by a [[space platform hub]].

== Purpose ==
Broadly speaking, there are three purposes which space platforms might serve:
* To craft recipes that can only be crafted in space, such as manufacturing [[space science pack]]s.
* To transport players and items between planets.
* To collect and process [[asteroids]].

== Creation and deletion ==
Space platforms are created by loading a [[space platform starter pack]] into a rocket and pressing the button to create a new space platform. Alternatively, players may order the creation of a space platform from the remote view through the list on the top-left corner of the screen, in which case the necessary space platform starter pack is treated as a request from a not-yet-existing space platform around the specified planet. Either way, players are then allowed to name their new space platform. Note that space platforms can later be renamed from the menus of their space platform hubs.

Platforms can be deleted. After confirming that the platform is to be deleted, the deleted platform goes into a queue, which is shown at the bottom of the platform list in the remote view. Should the player regret their decision, then this gives five minutes to decide if they want to undo the removal of the platform before it is permanently deleted.

If the platform hub is destroyed, the entire space platform and all of its contents are lost. If any [[player]] is aboard when this happens, the player will respawn at the last planet they were at before going to space.

== Construction ==
Unlike planetary surfaces, space platforms can only be edited by using the remote view. Therefore, players will order the construction of a space platform by placing ghosts. Instead of [[construction robot]]s being used for constructing the space platform, the platform itself will automatically construct ghost entities and move ghost items to and from the platform hub as soon as materials are available and these actions are not obstructed. If the necessary materials are not available, they will be automatically requested from the planet where the space platform is stationed, if the appropriate option is enabled in the platform's logistic requests section.

A newly-created space platform consists of a 10×10 square of [[space platform foundation]] with a [[space platform hub]] in its center, all surrounded by empty space. Unlike most buildings, the space platform hub cannot be removed, and its destruction directly results in the loss of the entire space platform.

As nothing can be built on empty space, the platform must first be expanded with more space platform foundation. The platform's foundation must consist of a single connected area with no detached islands, and holes of empty space surrounded by foundation are not allowed. Should these rules be broken, then the violating tiles will not be built or removed before the issue is resolved.

[[Asteroid collector]]s and [[thruster]]s can only be built on the edge of the platform. In particular, thrusters can only be built on the southern edge, and no foundation can be built within the rectangular area extending from the southern edge of the thruster for 82 tiles.

The entire platform surface functions as an [[electric system|electric network]], so space platforms do not need any power poles.

=== Placement restrictions ===
Some entities cannot be placed on space platforms:
* [[Chests]] can't be placed on platforms. The main storage structure is the platform hub.
* [[Robots]] and [[roboport]]s don't function in space, and no [[railway]] entities can be placed.
* [[Burner devices]] can't be placed on platforms. According to [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 FFF-381], this is to add "a bit of realism as there's no atmosphere in space".
* Space platforms have particular surface conditions, so buildings which have restrictions may not be placed on them. This is the same as for any other surface.

Electric poles can be built, but the global electric network covering the entire platform powers all devices. As such, electric poles are only useful as a way to [[circuit network|wire together]] distant entities.

=== Maximum platform size ===
The space platform can be as large as desired, however it may only extend up to 200 [[tile]]s north from the center of the [[space platform hub]].

== Transport between planets and space platforms ==

To transport players and items between a planet's surface and a space platform, the space platform must be stationed in orbit around the planet.

Items are delivered up to a platform by launching a [[rocket]] from a [[rocket silo]]. This can be done in one of three ways:
* Filling the rocket manually or by using inserters, then manually sending the rocket towards the space platform by using the rocket silo's menu. This method allows sending rockets with several different types of items inside the same rocket, but cannot be automated.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub, then filling a rocket with items of a type that is being requested, either manually or using by inserters. The rocket will then launch automatically. Only one type of item may be sent per rocket using this method.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub while having a rocket silo set to request items from the logistic network. This allows [[logistic robot]]s to fill the rocket automatically, and the rocket will launch automatically when full. Only one type of item will be sent per rocket.

The space platform hub will automatically request any items that are needed for construction of the platform. Automatic requests can receive items from any planet, whereas manual requests will only be fulfilled at one planet specified by the player. For manual requests, it is also possible to set a custom minimum payload per rocket instead of only accepting full rockets.

Items can be sent to a planet orbited by a space platform in one of two ways:
* Manually moving items into the platform hub's orbital drop slots.
* Assigning logistic requests to a planet's [[cargo landing pad]].

The items will then be carried to the planet's surface by [[cargo pod]]s. If the planet has a cargo landing pad, then the cargo pods will go there, placing their payloads directly inside the cargo landing pad's inventory (spilling the items if the cargo landing pad is already full). Otherwise, the cargo pod will land at a random location near the planet's spawn point. Landed cargo pods will wait for players to collect their payloads, and are automatically destroyed when emptied.

Unlike transfers from a planet's surface to a space platform, transfers from space platforms to planetary surfaces come at no material costs despite the appearance of a cargo pod.

== Passengers ==
Characters can travel to space platforms by riding a rocket, and can likewise leave the platform in a cargo pod.

One character traveling to a space platform takes up an entire rocket, and is not allowed to carry any items in their inventory, except for their equipped weapons and armor (but not ammunition). All other items must be transferred to the space platform hub in separate rockets.

Players aboard space platforms are locked inside the space platform hub, unable to move. The player is therefore locked into remote view until they drop their character to a planetary surface. Note that there is no way to access a player's inventory while in this state.

[[Biter egg]]s and [[pentapod egg]]s that spoil on the platform (either in the hub or on a belt) produce enemy entities like normal. These enemies do not suffocate, nor are they damaged by the environment. They will attack nearby structures as normal.

== Travel ==
Space platforms with one or more [[thruster]]s are able to perform voyages between different space locations, such as planets. The more thrusters that are installed on a platform, the faster the platform can get to its destination, but this also causes asteroids to appear faster and threaten the platform. When the thrusters are stopped while in mid-destination, the platform will slowly move toward the destination it's closer to via gravitational pull.

=== Weight ===
Platform weight depends on how many [[space platform foundation]] tiles the platform has. Each tile of [[space platform foundation]] weighs 200kg or 0.2 tons. The [[space platform hub]] itself weighs 20 tons. Notably, extra [[cargo bay]]s do not increase the platform's weight (aside from requiring [[space platform foundation]] under them).

=== Interplanetary schedules ===
Travel between planets can be automated, in a manner similar to using [[railway|trains]]. Clicking on the [[space platform hub]] will bring up its GUI. Individual planets can be added to the platform's schedule by clicking the "add station" button. A popup will appear with all currently unlocked space destinations. When one is selected, another button appears for selecting a wait condition from a drop-down list. Like trains, wait conditions are used to tell the platform when to leave the planet's orbit. If no wait condition is selected, the platform will continue to its next stop, if one exists. One can also select if the platform will unload cargo at a planet. If this option is deselected, platforms will not drop any items down to planets automatically.
[[File:Space_station_hub_gui.png|thumb|300px|The space platform's GUI. There is one station set for the [[solar system edge]]. ]]

When set to "automatic" mode, the platform will automatically fly to the designated planet. If attempting to travel to a planet that has no direct route to, the platform will fill in any gaps along the way. For example, attempting to fly from [[Vulcanus]] to [[Fulgora]] will have a platform automatically fly to [[Nauvis]] first.

There are 12 types of wait conditions, many of them unique to space platforms:
* '''All requests satisfied''': All requests from the current planet have been satisfied.
* '''Any request not satisfied''': At least one request from the current planet is not satisfied.
* '''Any request zero''': At least one request (from anywhere, including from no planet at all) is at zero on the platform.
* '''Circuit condition''': A condition is met from the [[circuit network]].
* '''Damage taken''': The platform has received a certain value of damage, defaulting to 1,000.
* '''Inactivity''': No items were received or dropped out of the hub for the specified amount of seconds.
* '''Item count''': The hub contains a specific amount of a certain item.
* '''Passenger not present''': No players are present on the platform.
* '''Passenger present''': At least one player is present on the platform.
* '''Request not satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is not satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Request satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Time passed'''

Additionally, platforms can make use of [[Railway#Schedule interrupts|schedule interrupts]], which behave exactly like trains. There is also an interrupt condition not present in the wait conditions list:
* '''Any planet import zero''': Any of a specific planet's imports are not satisfied.

The one exception to wait conditions is when traveling to the [[shattered planet]]. When this is selected, the wait condition becomes a "fly condition". Whatever condition is set will trigger while en-route to the shattered planet as if the platform was already stopped there. This is because the player is not intended to actually reach the shattered planet (though it is possible), and so the fly condition becomes a way to easily turn the platform around at a certain time.

If the platform hub is connected to a circuit network outside the hub, the following options are available:
* '''Read contents''': The hub will output its contents to the circuit network.
* '''Send to platform''': Any signals on the circuit network will be passed to the scheduler for use in "Circuit condition".
* '''Read moving to''': The platform will output the current destination planet with a value of 1.
* '''Read moving from''': The platform will output the planet of departure with a value of 2.
** The "from" and "to" signals are both output when waiting at a planet, so if both signals are activated, a signal of 3 indicates a stationary platform.
* '''Read speed''': The platform will output its current velocity, by default with the [[File:Signal-V.png|24px]] signal.
** A speed signal will only be 0 when stopped at a planet. If a platform is stopped between planets, it will slowly drift into orbit of the nearest planet, giving the signal a value of 10 or -10.
* '''Read damage taken''': The platform will output the amount of damage taken in the current trip, by default with [[File:Signal-D.png|24px]] signal.

== Asteroids ==
{{main|asteroids}}

Space platforms regularly encounter [[asteroids]].

The smallest asteroids are called "chunks". Chunks can be collected by [[asteroid collector]]s and processed into various raw materials by [[crusher]]s. Among other uses, it is possible to convert these materials into [[thruster fuel]] and [[thruster oxidizer]].

Asteroids larger than chunks may also appear. They cannot be grabbed by asteroid collectors, and will damage the space platform upon impact. They can be broken into multiple smaller asteroids by turrets. This is done repeatedly until they become chunks.

During voyages, the number and relative velocity of asteroids increases proportionally to the platform's speed. Different locations contain different amounts of each type of asteroid, and routes between locations may vary these numbers over the course of a journey. For example, only chunks will appear in stationary orbit around [[Nauvis]], thus providing a safe building environment free of larger asteroids that may damage the platform.

== Access to basic resources ==
* [[Water]] can be obtained from [[oxide asteroid chunk]]s via [[oxide asteroid crushing]] and [[ice melting]].
* [[Stone]] is not obtainable and must be brought up from planets.
* [[Iron ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Copper ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[advanced metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Coal]] can be obtained from [[carbonic asteroid chunk]]s via [[coal synthesis]] by using [[carbon]] and [[sulfur]] from [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Crude oil]] is not obtainable. However:
** [[Sulfur]] can be obtained via [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
** [[Heavy oil]] can be obtained via [[simple coal liquefaction]] using [[calcite]] obtained from [[advanced oxide asteroid crushing]].

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|reach-for-the-stars}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="300px" heights="200px">
space platform titlescreen.png|Space platform seen on the expansion's title screen.
</gallery>

== History ==
{{history|2.0.23|
* Added an error message when manually trying to launch a rocket to a full space platform.
* Changed space platforms to not delete items on the ground when deconstructing them.}}

{{history|2.0.14|
* Deletion of space platforms requires confirmation.}}

{{history|2.0.7|
* Introduced in [[Space Age]]{{SA}} expansion.
}}

{{SpaceNav}}

Space platform

2026-02-17T22:24:31Z

Gotube: /* Asteroids */ Readability

{{Languages}}
{{About/Space age}}
[[File:Space platform.jpg|thumb|Space platform example provided by Wube in [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 Friday Facts #381 - Space Platforms]]]

'''Space platforms''' are factories that can be built in space. Each space platform is a self-contained factory supported by a [[space platform hub]].

== Purpose ==
Broadly speaking, there are three purposes which space platforms might serve:
* To craft recipes that can only be crafted in space, such as manufacturing [[space science pack]]s.
* To transport players and items between planets.
* To collect and process [[asteroids]].

== Creation and deletion ==
Space platforms are created by loading a [[space platform starter pack]] into a rocket and pressing the button to create a new space platform. Alternatively, players may order the creation of a space platform from the remote view through the list on the top-left corner of the screen, in which case the necessary space platform starter pack is treated as a request from a not-yet-existing space platform around the specified planet. Either way, players are then allowed to name their new space platform. Note that space platforms can later be renamed from the menus of their space platform hubs.

Platforms can be deleted. After confirming that the platform is to be deleted, the deleted platform goes into a queue, which is shown at the bottom of the platform list in the remote view. Should the player regret their decision, then this gives five minutes to decide if they want to undo the removal of the platform before it is permanently deleted.

If the platform hub is destroyed, the entire space platform and all of its contents are lost. If any [[player]] is aboard when this happens, the player will respawn at the last planet they were at before going to space.

== Construction ==
Unlike planetary surfaces, space platforms can only be edited by using the remote view. Therefore, players will order the construction of a space platform by placing ghosts. Instead of [[construction robot]]s being used for constructing the space platform, the platform itself will automatically construct ghost entities and move ghost items to and from the platform hub as soon as materials are available and these actions are not obstructed. If the necessary materials are not available, they will be automatically requested from the planet where the space platform is stationed, if the appropriate option is enabled in the platform's logistic requests section.

A newly-created space platform consists of a 10×10 square of [[space platform foundation]] with a [[space platform hub]] in its center, all surrounded by empty space. Unlike most buildings, the space platform hub cannot be removed, and its destruction directly results in the loss of the entire space platform.

As nothing can be built on empty space, the platform must first be expanded with more space platform foundation. The platform's foundation must consist of a single connected area with no detached islands, and holes of empty space surrounded by foundation are not allowed. Should these rules be broken, then the violating tiles will not be built or removed before the issue is resolved.

[[Asteroid collector]]s and [[thruster]]s can only be built on the edge of the platform. In particular, thrusters can only be built on the southern edge, and no foundation can be built within the rectangular area extending from the southern edge of the thruster for 82 tiles.

The entire platform surface functions as an [[electric system|electric network]], so space platforms do not need any power poles.

=== Placement restrictions ===
Some entities cannot be placed on space platforms:
* [[Chests]] can't be placed on platforms. The main storage structure is the platform hub.
* [[Robots]] and [[roboport]]s don't function in space, and no [[railway]] entities can be placed.
* [[Burner devices]] can't be placed on platforms. According to [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 FFF-381], this is to add "a bit of realism as there's no atmosphere in space".
* Space platforms have particular surface conditions, so buildings which have restrictions may not be placed on them. This is the same as for any other surface.

Electric poles can be built, but the global electric network covering the entire platform powers all devices. As such, electric poles are only useful as a way to [[circuit network|wire together]] distant entities.

=== Maximum platform size ===
The space platform can be as large as desired, however it may only extend up to 200 [[tile]]s north from the center of the [[space platform hub]].

== Transport between planets and space platforms ==

To transport players and items between a planet's surface and a space platform, the space platform must be stationed in orbit around the planet.

Items are delivered up to a platform by launching a [[rocket]] from a [[rocket silo]]. This can be done in one of three ways:
* Filling the rocket manually or by using inserters, then manually sending the rocket towards the space platform by using the rocket silo's menu. This method allows sending rockets with several different types of items inside the same rocket, but cannot be automated.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub, then filling a rocket with items of a type that is being requested, either manually or using by inserters. The rocket will then launch automatically. Only one type of item may be sent per rocket using this method.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub while having a rocket silo set to request items from the logistic network. This allows [[logistic robot]]s to fill the rocket automatically, and the rocket will launch automatically when full. Only one type of item will be sent per rocket.

The space platform hub will automatically request any items that are needed for construction of the platform. Automatic requests can receive items from any planet, whereas manual requests will only be fulfilled at one planet specified by the player. For manual requests, it is also possible to set a custom minimum payload per rocket instead of only accepting full rockets.

Items can be sent to a planet orbited by a space platform in one of two ways:
* Manually moving items into the platform hub's orbital drop slots.
* Assigning logistic requests to a planet's [[cargo landing pad]].

The items will then be carried to the planet's surface by [[cargo pod]]s. If the planet has a cargo landing pad, then the cargo pods will go there, placing their payloads directly inside the cargo landing pad's inventory (spilling the items if the cargo landing pad is already full). Otherwise, the cargo pod will land at a random location near the planet's spawn point. Landed cargo pods will wait for players to collect their payloads, and are automatically destroyed when emptied.

Unlike transfers from a planet's surface to a space platform, transfers from space platforms to planetary surfaces come at no material costs despite the appearance of a cargo pod.

== Passengers ==
Characters can travel to space platforms by riding a rocket, and can likewise leave the platform in a cargo pod.

One character traveling to a space platform takes up an entire rocket, and is not allowed to carry any items in their inventory, except for their equipped weapons and armor (but not ammunition). All other items must be transferred to the space platform hub in separate rockets.

Players aboard space platforms are locked inside the space platform hub, unable to move. The player is therefore locked into remote view until they drop their character to a planetary surface. Note that there is no way to access a player's inventory while in this state.

[[Biter egg]]s and [[pentapod egg]]s that spoil on the platform (either in the hub or on a belt) produce enemy entities like normal. These enemies do not suffocate, nor are they damaged by the environment. They will attack nearby structures as normal.

== Travel ==
Space platforms with one or more [[thruster]]s are able to perform voyages between different space locations, such as planets. The more thrusters that are installed on a platform, the faster the platform can get to its destination, but this also causes asteroids to appear faster and threaten the platform. When the thrusters are stopped while in mid-destination, the platform will slowly move toward the destination it's closer to via gravitational pull.

=== Weight ===
Platform weight depends on how many [[space platform foundation]] tiles the platform has. Each tile of [[space platform foundation]] weighs 200kg or 0.2 tons. The [[space platform hub]] itself weighs 20 tons. Notably, extra [[cargo bay]]s do not increase the platform's weight (aside from requiring [[space platform foundation]] under them).

=== Interplanetary schedules ===
Travel between planets can be automated, in a manner similar to using [[railway|trains]]. Clicking on the [[space platform hub]] will bring up its GUI. Individual planets can be added to the platform's schedule by clicking the "add station" button. A popup will appear with all currently unlocked space destinations. When one is selected, another button appears for selecting a wait condition from a drop-down list. Like trains, wait conditions are used to tell the platform when to leave the planet's orbit. If no wait condition is selected, the platform will continue to its next stop, if one exists. One can also select if the platform will unload cargo at a planet. If this option is deselected, platforms will not drop any items down to planets automatically.
[[File:Space_station_hub_gui.png|thumb|300px|The space platform's GUI. There is one station set for the [[solar system edge]]. ]]

When set to "automatic" mode, the platform will automatically fly to the designated planet. If attempting to travel to a planet that has no direct route to, the platform will fill in any gaps along the way. For example, attempting to fly from [[Vulcanus]] to [[Fulgora]] will have a platform automatically fly to [[Nauvis]] first.

There are 12 types of wait conditions, many of them unique to space platforms:
* '''All requests satisfied''': All requests from the current planet have been satisfied.
* '''Any request not satisfied''': At least one request from the current planet is not satisfied.
* '''Any request zero''': At least one request (from anywhere, including from no planet at all) is at zero on the platform.
* '''Circuit condition''': A condition is met from the [[circuit network]].
* '''Damage taken''': The platform has received a certain value of damage, defaulting to 1,000.
* '''Inactivity''': No items were received or dropped out of the hub for the specified amount of seconds.
* '''Item count''': The hub contains a specific amount of a certain item.
* '''Passenger not present''': No players are present on the platform.
* '''Passenger present''': At least one player is present on the platform.
* '''Request not satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is not satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Request satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Time passed'''

Additionally, platforms can make use of [[Railway#Schedule interrupts|schedule interrupts]], which behave exactly like trains. There is also an interrupt condition not present in the wait conditions list:
* '''Any planet import zero''': Any of a specific planet's imports are not satisfied.

The one exception to wait conditions is when traveling to the [[shattered planet]]. When this is selected, the wait condition becomes a "fly condition". Whatever condition is set will trigger while en-route to the shattered planet as if the platform was already stopped there. This is because the player is not intended to actually reach the shattered planet (though it is possible), and so the fly condition becomes a way to easily turn the platform around at a certain time.

If the platform hub is connected to a circuit network outside the hub, the following options are available:
* '''Read contents''': The hub will output its contents to the circuit network.
* '''Send to platform''': Any signals on the circuit network will be passed to the scheduler for use in "Circuit condition".
* '''Read moving to''': The platform will output the current destination planet with a value of 1.
* '''Read moving from''': The platform will output the planet of departure with a value of 2.
** The "from" and "to" signals are both output when waiting at a planet, so if both signals are activated, a signal of 3 indicates a stationary platform.
* '''Read speed''': The platform will output its current velocity, by default with the [[File:Signal-V.png|24px]] signal.
** A speed signal will only be 0 when stopped at a planet. If a platform is stopped between planets, it will slowly drift into orbit of the nearest planet, giving the signal a value of 10 or -10.
* '''Read damage taken''': The platform will output the amount of damage taken in the current trip, by default with [[File:Signal-D.png|24px]] signal.

== Asteroids ==
{{main|asteroids}}

Space platforms regularly encounter [[asteroids]].

The smallest asteroids are called "chunks". Chunks can be collected by [[asteroid collector]]s and processed into various raw materials by [[crusher]]s. Among other uses, it is possible to convert these materials into [[thruster fuel]] and [[thruster oxidizer]].

Asteroids larger than chunks may also appear. They cannot be grabbed by asteroid collectors, and will damage the space platform upon impact. They can be broken into multiple smaller asteroids by turrets. This is done repeatedly until they become chunks.

During voyages, the number and relative velocity of asteroids increases proportionally to the platform's speed. It is therefore dangerous for a space platform to travel faster than it can destroy the asteroids that it will encounter. Different locations contain different amounts of each type of asteroid, and routes between locations may vary these numbers over the course of a journey. For example, only chunks will appear in stationary orbit around [[Nauvis]], thus providing a safe building environment free of larger asteroids that may damage the platform.

== Access to basic resources ==
* [[Water]] can be obtained from [[oxide asteroid chunk]]s via [[oxide asteroid crushing]] and [[ice melting]].
* [[Stone]] is not obtainable and must be brought up from planets.
* [[Iron ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Copper ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[advanced metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Coal]] can be obtained from [[carbonic asteroid chunk]]s via [[coal synthesis]] by using [[carbon]] and [[sulfur]] from [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Crude oil]] is not obtainable. However:
** [[Sulfur]] can be obtained via [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
** [[Heavy oil]] can be obtained via [[simple coal liquefaction]] using [[calcite]] obtained from [[advanced oxide asteroid crushing]].

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|reach-for-the-stars}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="300px" heights="200px">
space platform titlescreen.png|Space platform seen on the expansion's title screen.
</gallery>

== History ==
{{history|2.0.23|
* Added an error message when manually trying to launch a rocket to a full space platform.
* Changed space platforms to not delete items on the ground when deconstructing them.}}

{{history|2.0.14|
* Deletion of space platforms requires confirmation.}}

{{history|2.0.7|
* Introduced in [[Space Age]]{{SA}} expansion.
}}

{{SpaceNav}}

Space platform

2026-02-17T22:23:54Z

Gotube: /* Asteroids */ Readability, conciseness

{{Languages}}
{{About/Space age}}
[[File:Space platform.jpg|thumb|Space platform example provided by Wube in [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 Friday Facts #381 - Space Platforms]]]

'''Space platforms''' are factories that can be built in space. Each space platform is a self-contained factory supported by a [[space platform hub]].

== Purpose ==
Broadly speaking, there are three purposes which space platforms might serve:
* To craft recipes that can only be crafted in space, such as manufacturing [[space science pack]]s.
* To transport players and items between planets.
* To collect and process [[asteroids]].

== Creation and deletion ==
Space platforms are created by loading a [[space platform starter pack]] into a rocket and pressing the button to create a new space platform. Alternatively, players may order the creation of a space platform from the remote view through the list on the top-left corner of the screen, in which case the necessary space platform starter pack is treated as a request from a not-yet-existing space platform around the specified planet. Either way, players are then allowed to name their new space platform. Note that space platforms can later be renamed from the menus of their space platform hubs.

Platforms can be deleted. After confirming that the platform is to be deleted, the deleted platform goes into a queue, which is shown at the bottom of the platform list in the remote view. Should the player regret their decision, then this gives five minutes to decide if they want to undo the removal of the platform before it is permanently deleted.

If the platform hub is destroyed, the entire space platform and all of its contents are lost. If any [[player]] is aboard when this happens, the player will respawn at the last planet they were at before going to space.

== Construction ==
Unlike planetary surfaces, space platforms can only be edited by using the remote view. Therefore, players will order the construction of a space platform by placing ghosts. Instead of [[construction robot]]s being used for constructing the space platform, the platform itself will automatically construct ghost entities and move ghost items to and from the platform hub as soon as materials are available and these actions are not obstructed. If the necessary materials are not available, they will be automatically requested from the planet where the space platform is stationed, if the appropriate option is enabled in the platform's logistic requests section.

A newly-created space platform consists of a 10×10 square of [[space platform foundation]] with a [[space platform hub]] in its center, all surrounded by empty space. Unlike most buildings, the space platform hub cannot be removed, and its destruction directly results in the loss of the entire space platform.

As nothing can be built on empty space, the platform must first be expanded with more space platform foundation. The platform's foundation must consist of a single connected area with no detached islands, and holes of empty space surrounded by foundation are not allowed. Should these rules be broken, then the violating tiles will not be built or removed before the issue is resolved.

[[Asteroid collector]]s and [[thruster]]s can only be built on the edge of the platform. In particular, thrusters can only be built on the southern edge, and no foundation can be built within the rectangular area extending from the southern edge of the thruster for 82 tiles.

The entire platform surface functions as an [[electric system|electric network]], so space platforms do not need any power poles.

=== Placement restrictions ===
Some entities cannot be placed on space platforms:
* [[Chests]] can't be placed on platforms. The main storage structure is the platform hub.
* [[Robots]] and [[roboport]]s don't function in space, and no [[railway]] entities can be placed.
* [[Burner devices]] can't be placed on platforms. According to [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 FFF-381], this is to add "a bit of realism as there's no atmosphere in space".
* Space platforms have particular surface conditions, so buildings which have restrictions may not be placed on them. This is the same as for any other surface.

Electric poles can be built, but the global electric network covering the entire platform powers all devices. As such, electric poles are only useful as a way to [[circuit network|wire together]] distant entities.

=== Maximum platform size ===
The space platform can be as large as desired, however it may only extend up to 200 [[tile]]s north from the center of the [[space platform hub]].

== Transport between planets and space platforms ==

To transport players and items between a planet's surface and a space platform, the space platform must be stationed in orbit around the planet.

Items are delivered up to a platform by launching a [[rocket]] from a [[rocket silo]]. This can be done in one of three ways:
* Filling the rocket manually or by using inserters, then manually sending the rocket towards the space platform by using the rocket silo's menu. This method allows sending rockets with several different types of items inside the same rocket, but cannot be automated.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub, then filling a rocket with items of a type that is being requested, either manually or using by inserters. The rocket will then launch automatically. Only one type of item may be sent per rocket using this method.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub while having a rocket silo set to request items from the logistic network. This allows [[logistic robot]]s to fill the rocket automatically, and the rocket will launch automatically when full. Only one type of item will be sent per rocket.

The space platform hub will automatically request any items that are needed for construction of the platform. Automatic requests can receive items from any planet, whereas manual requests will only be fulfilled at one planet specified by the player. For manual requests, it is also possible to set a custom minimum payload per rocket instead of only accepting full rockets.

Items can be sent to a planet orbited by a space platform in one of two ways:
* Manually moving items into the platform hub's orbital drop slots.
* Assigning logistic requests to a planet's [[cargo landing pad]].

The items will then be carried to the planet's surface by [[cargo pod]]s. If the planet has a cargo landing pad, then the cargo pods will go there, placing their payloads directly inside the cargo landing pad's inventory (spilling the items if the cargo landing pad is already full). Otherwise, the cargo pod will land at a random location near the planet's spawn point. Landed cargo pods will wait for players to collect their payloads, and are automatically destroyed when emptied.

Unlike transfers from a planet's surface to a space platform, transfers from space platforms to planetary surfaces come at no material costs despite the appearance of a cargo pod.

== Passengers ==
Characters can travel to space platforms by riding a rocket, and can likewise leave the platform in a cargo pod.

One character traveling to a space platform takes up an entire rocket, and is not allowed to carry any items in their inventory, except for their equipped weapons and armor (but not ammunition). All other items must be transferred to the space platform hub in separate rockets.

Players aboard space platforms are locked inside the space platform hub, unable to move. The player is therefore locked into remote view until they drop their character to a planetary surface. Note that there is no way to access a player's inventory while in this state.

[[Biter egg]]s and [[pentapod egg]]s that spoil on the platform (either in the hub or on a belt) produce enemy entities like normal. These enemies do not suffocate, nor are they damaged by the environment. They will attack nearby structures as normal.

== Travel ==
Space platforms with one or more [[thruster]]s are able to perform voyages between different space locations, such as planets. The more thrusters that are installed on a platform, the faster the platform can get to its destination, but this also causes asteroids to appear faster and threaten the platform. When the thrusters are stopped while in mid-destination, the platform will slowly move toward the destination it's closer to via gravitational pull.

=== Weight ===
Platform weight depends on how many [[space platform foundation]] tiles the platform has. Each tile of [[space platform foundation]] weighs 200kg or 0.2 tons. The [[space platform hub]] itself weighs 20 tons. Notably, extra [[cargo bay]]s do not increase the platform's weight (aside from requiring [[space platform foundation]] under them).

=== Interplanetary schedules ===
Travel between planets can be automated, in a manner similar to using [[railway|trains]]. Clicking on the [[space platform hub]] will bring up its GUI. Individual planets can be added to the platform's schedule by clicking the "add station" button. A popup will appear with all currently unlocked space destinations. When one is selected, another button appears for selecting a wait condition from a drop-down list. Like trains, wait conditions are used to tell the platform when to leave the planet's orbit. If no wait condition is selected, the platform will continue to its next stop, if one exists. One can also select if the platform will unload cargo at a planet. If this option is deselected, platforms will not drop any items down to planets automatically.
[[File:Space_station_hub_gui.png|thumb|300px|The space platform's GUI. There is one station set for the [[solar system edge]]. ]]

When set to "automatic" mode, the platform will automatically fly to the designated planet. If attempting to travel to a planet that has no direct route to, the platform will fill in any gaps along the way. For example, attempting to fly from [[Vulcanus]] to [[Fulgora]] will have a platform automatically fly to [[Nauvis]] first.

There are 12 types of wait conditions, many of them unique to space platforms:
* '''All requests satisfied''': All requests from the current planet have been satisfied.
* '''Any request not satisfied''': At least one request from the current planet is not satisfied.
* '''Any request zero''': At least one request (from anywhere, including from no planet at all) is at zero on the platform.
* '''Circuit condition''': A condition is met from the [[circuit network]].
* '''Damage taken''': The platform has received a certain value of damage, defaulting to 1,000.
* '''Inactivity''': No items were received or dropped out of the hub for the specified amount of seconds.
* '''Item count''': The hub contains a specific amount of a certain item.
* '''Passenger not present''': No players are present on the platform.
* '''Passenger present''': At least one player is present on the platform.
* '''Request not satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is not satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Request satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Time passed'''

Additionally, platforms can make use of [[Railway#Schedule interrupts|schedule interrupts]], which behave exactly like trains. There is also an interrupt condition not present in the wait conditions list:
* '''Any planet import zero''': Any of a specific planet's imports are not satisfied.

The one exception to wait conditions is when traveling to the [[shattered planet]]. When this is selected, the wait condition becomes a "fly condition". Whatever condition is set will trigger while en-route to the shattered planet as if the platform was already stopped there. This is because the player is not intended to actually reach the shattered planet (though it is possible), and so the fly condition becomes a way to easily turn the platform around at a certain time.

If the platform hub is connected to a circuit network outside the hub, the following options are available:
* '''Read contents''': The hub will output its contents to the circuit network.
* '''Send to platform''': Any signals on the circuit network will be passed to the scheduler for use in "Circuit condition".
* '''Read moving to''': The platform will output the current destination planet with a value of 1.
* '''Read moving from''': The platform will output the planet of departure with a value of 2.
** The "from" and "to" signals are both output when waiting at a planet, so if both signals are activated, a signal of 3 indicates a stationary platform.
* '''Read speed''': The platform will output its current velocity, by default with the [[File:Signal-V.png|24px]] signal.
** A speed signal will only be 0 when stopped at a planet. If a platform is stopped between planets, it will slowly drift into orbit of the nearest planet, giving the signal a value of 10 or -10.
* '''Read damage taken''': The platform will output the amount of damage taken in the current trip, by default with [[File:Signal-D.png|24px]] signal.

== Asteroids ==
{{main|asteroids}}

Space platforms regularly encounter [[asteroids]].

The smallest asteroids are called "chunks". Chunks can be collected by [[asteroid collector]]s and processed into various raw materials by [[crusher]]s. Among other uses, it is possible to convert these materials into [[thruster fuel]] and [[thruster oxidizer]].

Asteroids larger than chunks may also appear. However, they cannot be grabbed by asteroid collectors, and will damage the space platform upon impact. They can be broken into multiple smaller asteroids by turrets. This is done repeatedly until they become chunks.

During voyages, the number and relative velocity of asteroids increases proportionally to the platform's speed. It is therefore dangerous for a space platform to travel faster than it can destroy the asteroids that it will encounter. Different locations contain different amounts of each type of asteroid, and routes between locations may vary these numbers over the course of a journey. For example, only chunks will appear in stationary orbit around [[Nauvis]], thus providing a safe building environment free of larger asteroids that may damage the platform.

== Access to basic resources ==
* [[Water]] can be obtained from [[oxide asteroid chunk]]s via [[oxide asteroid crushing]] and [[ice melting]].
* [[Stone]] is not obtainable and must be brought up from planets.
* [[Iron ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Copper ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[advanced metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Coal]] can be obtained from [[carbonic asteroid chunk]]s via [[coal synthesis]] by using [[carbon]] and [[sulfur]] from [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Crude oil]] is not obtainable. However:
** [[Sulfur]] can be obtained via [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
** [[Heavy oil]] can be obtained via [[simple coal liquefaction]] using [[calcite]] obtained from [[advanced oxide asteroid crushing]].

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|reach-for-the-stars}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="300px" heights="200px">
space platform titlescreen.png|Space platform seen on the expansion's title screen.
</gallery>

== History ==
{{history|2.0.23|
* Added an error message when manually trying to launch a rocket to a full space platform.
* Changed space platforms to not delete items on the ground when deconstructing them.}}

{{history|2.0.14|
* Deletion of space platforms requires confirmation.}}

{{history|2.0.7|
* Introduced in [[Space Age]]{{SA}} expansion.
}}

{{SpaceNav}}

Space platform

2026-02-17T22:19:37Z

Gotube: /* Interplanetary schedules */ Corrected much and improved readability of circuit connection options

{{Languages}}
{{About/Space age}}
[[File:Space platform.jpg|thumb|Space platform example provided by Wube in [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 Friday Facts #381 - Space Platforms]]]

'''Space platforms''' are factories that can be built in space. Each space platform is a self-contained factory supported by a [[space platform hub]].

== Purpose ==
Broadly speaking, there are three purposes which space platforms might serve:
* To craft recipes that can only be crafted in space, such as manufacturing [[space science pack]]s.
* To transport players and items between planets.
* To collect and process [[asteroids]].

== Creation and deletion ==
Space platforms are created by loading a [[space platform starter pack]] into a rocket and pressing the button to create a new space platform. Alternatively, players may order the creation of a space platform from the remote view through the list on the top-left corner of the screen, in which case the necessary space platform starter pack is treated as a request from a not-yet-existing space platform around the specified planet. Either way, players are then allowed to name their new space platform. Note that space platforms can later be renamed from the menus of their space platform hubs.

Platforms can be deleted. After confirming that the platform is to be deleted, the deleted platform goes into a queue, which is shown at the bottom of the platform list in the remote view. Should the player regret their decision, then this gives five minutes to decide if they want to undo the removal of the platform before it is permanently deleted.

If the platform hub is destroyed, the entire space platform and all of its contents are lost. If any [[player]] is aboard when this happens, the player will respawn at the last planet they were at before going to space.

== Construction ==
Unlike planetary surfaces, space platforms can only be edited by using the remote view. Therefore, players will order the construction of a space platform by placing ghosts. Instead of [[construction robot]]s being used for constructing the space platform, the platform itself will automatically construct ghost entities and move ghost items to and from the platform hub as soon as materials are available and these actions are not obstructed. If the necessary materials are not available, they will be automatically requested from the planet where the space platform is stationed, if the appropriate option is enabled in the platform's logistic requests section.

A newly-created space platform consists of a 10×10 square of [[space platform foundation]] with a [[space platform hub]] in its center, all surrounded by empty space. Unlike most buildings, the space platform hub cannot be removed, and its destruction directly results in the loss of the entire space platform.

As nothing can be built on empty space, the platform must first be expanded with more space platform foundation. The platform's foundation must consist of a single connected area with no detached islands, and holes of empty space surrounded by foundation are not allowed. Should these rules be broken, then the violating tiles will not be built or removed before the issue is resolved.

[[Asteroid collector]]s and [[thruster]]s can only be built on the edge of the platform. In particular, thrusters can only be built on the southern edge, and no foundation can be built within the rectangular area extending from the southern edge of the thruster for 82 tiles.

The entire platform surface functions as an [[electric system|electric network]], so space platforms do not need any power poles.

=== Placement restrictions ===
Some entities cannot be placed on space platforms:
* [[Chests]] can't be placed on platforms. The main storage structure is the platform hub.
* [[Robots]] and [[roboport]]s don't function in space, and no [[railway]] entities can be placed.
* [[Burner devices]] can't be placed on platforms. According to [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 FFF-381], this is to add "a bit of realism as there's no atmosphere in space".
* Space platforms have particular surface conditions, so buildings which have restrictions may not be placed on them. This is the same as for any other surface.

Electric poles can be built, but the global electric network covering the entire platform powers all devices. As such, electric poles are only useful as a way to [[circuit network|wire together]] distant entities.

=== Maximum platform size ===
The space platform can be as large as desired, however it may only extend up to 200 [[tile]]s north from the center of the [[space platform hub]].

== Transport between planets and space platforms ==

To transport players and items between a planet's surface and a space platform, the space platform must be stationed in orbit around the planet.

Items are delivered up to a platform by launching a [[rocket]] from a [[rocket silo]]. This can be done in one of three ways:
* Filling the rocket manually or by using inserters, then manually sending the rocket towards the space platform by using the rocket silo's menu. This method allows sending rockets with several different types of items inside the same rocket, but cannot be automated.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub, then filling a rocket with items of a type that is being requested, either manually or using by inserters. The rocket will then launch automatically. Only one type of item may be sent per rocket using this method.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub while having a rocket silo set to request items from the logistic network. This allows [[logistic robot]]s to fill the rocket automatically, and the rocket will launch automatically when full. Only one type of item will be sent per rocket.

The space platform hub will automatically request any items that are needed for construction of the platform. Automatic requests can receive items from any planet, whereas manual requests will only be fulfilled at one planet specified by the player. For manual requests, it is also possible to set a custom minimum payload per rocket instead of only accepting full rockets.

Items can be sent to a planet orbited by a space platform in one of two ways:
* Manually moving items into the platform hub's orbital drop slots.
* Assigning logistic requests to a planet's [[cargo landing pad]].

The items will then be carried to the planet's surface by [[cargo pod]]s. If the planet has a cargo landing pad, then the cargo pods will go there, placing their payloads directly inside the cargo landing pad's inventory (spilling the items if the cargo landing pad is already full). Otherwise, the cargo pod will land at a random location near the planet's spawn point. Landed cargo pods will wait for players to collect their payloads, and are automatically destroyed when emptied.

Unlike transfers from a planet's surface to a space platform, transfers from space platforms to planetary surfaces come at no material costs despite the appearance of a cargo pod.

== Passengers ==
Characters can travel to space platforms by riding a rocket, and can likewise leave the platform in a cargo pod.

One character traveling to a space platform takes up an entire rocket, and is not allowed to carry any items in their inventory, except for their equipped weapons and armor (but not ammunition). All other items must be transferred to the space platform hub in separate rockets.

Players aboard space platforms are locked inside the space platform hub, unable to move. The player is therefore locked into remote view until they drop their character to a planetary surface. Note that there is no way to access a player's inventory while in this state.

[[Biter egg]]s and [[pentapod egg]]s that spoil on the platform (either in the hub or on a belt) produce enemy entities like normal. These enemies do not suffocate, nor are they damaged by the environment. They will attack nearby structures as normal.

== Travel ==
Space platforms with one or more [[thruster]]s are able to perform voyages between different space locations, such as planets. The more thrusters that are installed on a platform, the faster the platform can get to its destination, but this also causes asteroids to appear faster and threaten the platform. When the thrusters are stopped while in mid-destination, the platform will slowly move toward the destination it's closer to via gravitational pull.

=== Weight ===
Platform weight depends on how many [[space platform foundation]] tiles the platform has. Each tile of [[space platform foundation]] weighs 200kg or 0.2 tons. The [[space platform hub]] itself weighs 20 tons. Notably, extra [[cargo bay]]s do not increase the platform's weight (aside from requiring [[space platform foundation]] under them).

=== Interplanetary schedules ===
Travel between planets can be automated, in a manner similar to using [[railway|trains]]. Clicking on the [[space platform hub]] will bring up its GUI. Individual planets can be added to the platform's schedule by clicking the "add station" button. A popup will appear with all currently unlocked space destinations. When one is selected, another button appears for selecting a wait condition from a drop-down list. Like trains, wait conditions are used to tell the platform when to leave the planet's orbit. If no wait condition is selected, the platform will continue to its next stop, if one exists. One can also select if the platform will unload cargo at a planet. If this option is deselected, platforms will not drop any items down to planets automatically.
[[File:Space_station_hub_gui.png|thumb|300px|The space platform's GUI. There is one station set for the [[solar system edge]]. ]]

When set to "automatic" mode, the platform will automatically fly to the designated planet. If attempting to travel to a planet that has no direct route to, the platform will fill in any gaps along the way. For example, attempting to fly from [[Vulcanus]] to [[Fulgora]] will have a platform automatically fly to [[Nauvis]] first.

There are 12 types of wait conditions, many of them unique to space platforms:
* '''All requests satisfied''': All requests from the current planet have been satisfied.
* '''Any request not satisfied''': At least one request from the current planet is not satisfied.
* '''Any request zero''': At least one request (from anywhere, including from no planet at all) is at zero on the platform.
* '''Circuit condition''': A condition is met from the [[circuit network]].
* '''Damage taken''': The platform has received a certain value of damage, defaulting to 1,000.
* '''Inactivity''': No items were received or dropped out of the hub for the specified amount of seconds.
* '''Item count''': The hub contains a specific amount of a certain item.
* '''Passenger not present''': No players are present on the platform.
* '''Passenger present''': At least one player is present on the platform.
* '''Request not satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is not satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Request satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Time passed'''

Additionally, platforms can make use of [[Railway#Schedule interrupts|schedule interrupts]], which behave exactly like trains. There is also an interrupt condition not present in the wait conditions list:
* '''Any planet import zero''': Any of a specific planet's imports are not satisfied.

The one exception to wait conditions is when traveling to the [[shattered planet]]. When this is selected, the wait condition becomes a "fly condition". Whatever condition is set will trigger while en-route to the shattered planet as if the platform was already stopped there. This is because the player is not intended to actually reach the shattered planet (though it is possible), and so the fly condition becomes a way to easily turn the platform around at a certain time.

If the platform hub is connected to a circuit network outside the hub, the following options are available:
* '''Read contents''': The hub will output its contents to the circuit network.
* '''Send to platform''': Any signals on the circuit network will be passed to the scheduler for use in "Circuit condition".
* '''Read moving to''': The platform will output the current destination planet with a value of 1.
* '''Read moving from''': The platform will output the planet of departure with a value of 2.
** The "from" and "to" signals are both output when waiting at a planet, so if both signals are activated, a signal of 3 indicates a stationary platform.
* '''Read speed''': The platform will output its current velocity, by default with the [[File:Signal-V.png|24px]] signal.
** A speed signal will only be 0 when stopped at a planet. If a platform is stopped between planets, it will slowly drift into orbit of the nearest planet, giving the signal a value of 10 or -10.
* '''Read damage taken''': The platform will output the amount of damage taken in the current trip, by default with [[File:Signal-D.png|24px]] signal.

== Asteroids ==
{{main|asteroids}}

Space platforms regularly encounter [[asteroids]].

The smallest asteroids are called "chunks". Chunks can be collected by [[asteroid collector]]s and processed into various raw materials by [[crusher]]s. Among other uses, it is possible to convert these materials into [[thruster fuel]] and [[thruster oxidizer]].

Asteroids larger than chunks may also appear. However, they cannot be grabbed by asteroid collectors, and will damage the space platform upon impact. They can be targeted by turrets, and can be broken into multiple smaller asteroids by reducing their health to 0. This is done repeatedly until they become chunks.

During voyages, the number and relative velocity of asteroids increases proportionally to the platform's speed. It is therefore dangerous for a space platform to travel faster than it can destroy the asteroids that it will encounter. Different locations contain different amounts of each type of asteroid, and routes between locations may vary these numbers over the course of a journey. For example, only chunks will appear in stationary orbit around [[Nauvis]], thus providing a safe building environment free of larger asteroids that may damage the platform.

== Access to basic resources ==
* [[Water]] can be obtained from [[oxide asteroid chunk]]s via [[oxide asteroid crushing]] and [[ice melting]].
* [[Stone]] is not obtainable and must be brought up from planets.
* [[Iron ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Copper ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[advanced metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Coal]] can be obtained from [[carbonic asteroid chunk]]s via [[coal synthesis]] by using [[carbon]] and [[sulfur]] from [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Crude oil]] is not obtainable. However:
** [[Sulfur]] can be obtained via [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
** [[Heavy oil]] can be obtained via [[simple coal liquefaction]] using [[calcite]] obtained from [[advanced oxide asteroid crushing]].

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|reach-for-the-stars}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="300px" heights="200px">
space platform titlescreen.png|Space platform seen on the expansion's title screen.
</gallery>

== History ==
{{history|2.0.23|
* Added an error message when manually trying to launch a rocket to a full space platform.
* Changed space platforms to not delete items on the ground when deconstructing them.}}

{{history|2.0.14|
* Deletion of space platforms requires confirmation.}}

{{history|2.0.7|
* Introduced in [[Space Age]]{{SA}} expansion.
}}

{{SpaceNav}}

Space platform

2026-02-17T22:10:15Z

Gotube: /* Interplanetary schedules */ Reword for clarity

{{Languages}}
{{About/Space age}}
[[File:Space platform.jpg|thumb|Space platform example provided by Wube in [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 Friday Facts #381 - Space Platforms]]]

'''Space platforms''' are factories that can be built in space. Each space platform is a self-contained factory supported by a [[space platform hub]].

== Purpose ==
Broadly speaking, there are three purposes which space platforms might serve:
* To craft recipes that can only be crafted in space, such as manufacturing [[space science pack]]s.
* To transport players and items between planets.
* To collect and process [[asteroids]].

== Creation and deletion ==
Space platforms are created by loading a [[space platform starter pack]] into a rocket and pressing the button to create a new space platform. Alternatively, players may order the creation of a space platform from the remote view through the list on the top-left corner of the screen, in which case the necessary space platform starter pack is treated as a request from a not-yet-existing space platform around the specified planet. Either way, players are then allowed to name their new space platform. Note that space platforms can later be renamed from the menus of their space platform hubs.

Platforms can be deleted. After confirming that the platform is to be deleted, the deleted platform goes into a queue, which is shown at the bottom of the platform list in the remote view. Should the player regret their decision, then this gives five minutes to decide if they want to undo the removal of the platform before it is permanently deleted.

If the platform hub is destroyed, the entire space platform and all of its contents are lost. If any [[player]] is aboard when this happens, the player will respawn at the last planet they were at before going to space.

== Construction ==
Unlike planetary surfaces, space platforms can only be edited by using the remote view. Therefore, players will order the construction of a space platform by placing ghosts. Instead of [[construction robot]]s being used for constructing the space platform, the platform itself will automatically construct ghost entities and move ghost items to and from the platform hub as soon as materials are available and these actions are not obstructed. If the necessary materials are not available, they will be automatically requested from the planet where the space platform is stationed, if the appropriate option is enabled in the platform's logistic requests section.

A newly-created space platform consists of a 10×10 square of [[space platform foundation]] with a [[space platform hub]] in its center, all surrounded by empty space. Unlike most buildings, the space platform hub cannot be removed, and its destruction directly results in the loss of the entire space platform.

As nothing can be built on empty space, the platform must first be expanded with more space platform foundation. The platform's foundation must consist of a single connected area with no detached islands, and holes of empty space surrounded by foundation are not allowed. Should these rules be broken, then the violating tiles will not be built or removed before the issue is resolved.

[[Asteroid collector]]s and [[thruster]]s can only be built on the edge of the platform. In particular, thrusters can only be built on the southern edge, and no foundation can be built within the rectangular area extending from the southern edge of the thruster for 82 tiles.

The entire platform surface functions as an [[electric system|electric network]], so space platforms do not need any power poles.

=== Placement restrictions ===
Some entities cannot be placed on space platforms:
* [[Chests]] can't be placed on platforms. The main storage structure is the platform hub.
* [[Robots]] and [[roboport]]s don't function in space, and no [[railway]] entities can be placed.
* [[Burner devices]] can't be placed on platforms. According to [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 FFF-381], this is to add "a bit of realism as there's no atmosphere in space".
* Space platforms have particular surface conditions, so buildings which have restrictions may not be placed on them. This is the same as for any other surface.

Electric poles can be built, but the global electric network covering the entire platform powers all devices. As such, electric poles are only useful as a way to [[circuit network|wire together]] distant entities.

=== Maximum platform size ===
The space platform can be as large as desired, however it may only extend up to 200 [[tile]]s north from the center of the [[space platform hub]].

== Transport between planets and space platforms ==

To transport players and items between a planet's surface and a space platform, the space platform must be stationed in orbit around the planet.

Items are delivered up to a platform by launching a [[rocket]] from a [[rocket silo]]. This can be done in one of three ways:
* Filling the rocket manually or by using inserters, then manually sending the rocket towards the space platform by using the rocket silo's menu. This method allows sending rockets with several different types of items inside the same rocket, but cannot be automated.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub, then filling a rocket with items of a type that is being requested, either manually or using by inserters. The rocket will then launch automatically. Only one type of item may be sent per rocket using this method.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub while having a rocket silo set to request items from the logistic network. This allows [[logistic robot]]s to fill the rocket automatically, and the rocket will launch automatically when full. Only one type of item will be sent per rocket.

The space platform hub will automatically request any items that are needed for construction of the platform. Automatic requests can receive items from any planet, whereas manual requests will only be fulfilled at one planet specified by the player. For manual requests, it is also possible to set a custom minimum payload per rocket instead of only accepting full rockets.

Items can be sent to a planet orbited by a space platform in one of two ways:
* Manually moving items into the platform hub's orbital drop slots.
* Assigning logistic requests to a planet's [[cargo landing pad]].

The items will then be carried to the planet's surface by [[cargo pod]]s. If the planet has a cargo landing pad, then the cargo pods will go there, placing their payloads directly inside the cargo landing pad's inventory (spilling the items if the cargo landing pad is already full). Otherwise, the cargo pod will land at a random location near the planet's spawn point. Landed cargo pods will wait for players to collect their payloads, and are automatically destroyed when emptied.

Unlike transfers from a planet's surface to a space platform, transfers from space platforms to planetary surfaces come at no material costs despite the appearance of a cargo pod.

== Passengers ==
Characters can travel to space platforms by riding a rocket, and can likewise leave the platform in a cargo pod.

One character traveling to a space platform takes up an entire rocket, and is not allowed to carry any items in their inventory, except for their equipped weapons and armor (but not ammunition). All other items must be transferred to the space platform hub in separate rockets.

Players aboard space platforms are locked inside the space platform hub, unable to move. The player is therefore locked into remote view until they drop their character to a planetary surface. Note that there is no way to access a player's inventory while in this state.

[[Biter egg]]s and [[pentapod egg]]s that spoil on the platform (either in the hub or on a belt) produce enemy entities like normal. These enemies do not suffocate, nor are they damaged by the environment. They will attack nearby structures as normal.

== Travel ==
Space platforms with one or more [[thruster]]s are able to perform voyages between different space locations, such as planets. The more thrusters that are installed on a platform, the faster the platform can get to its destination, but this also causes asteroids to appear faster and threaten the platform. When the thrusters are stopped while in mid-destination, the platform will slowly move toward the destination it's closer to via gravitational pull.

=== Weight ===
Platform weight depends on how many [[space platform foundation]] tiles the platform has. Each tile of [[space platform foundation]] weighs 200kg or 0.2 tons. The [[space platform hub]] itself weighs 20 tons. Notably, extra [[cargo bay]]s do not increase the platform's weight (aside from requiring [[space platform foundation]] under them).

=== Interplanetary schedules ===
Travel between planets can be automated, in a manner similar to using [[railway|trains]]. Clicking on the [[space platform hub]] will bring up its GUI. Individual planets can be added to the platform's schedule by clicking the "add station" button. A popup will appear with all currently unlocked space destinations. When one is selected, another button appears for selecting a wait condition from a drop-down list. Like trains, wait conditions are used to tell the platform when to leave the planet's orbit. If no wait condition is selected, the platform will continue to its next stop, if one exists. One can also select if the platform will unload cargo at a planet. If this option is deselected, platforms will not drop any items down to planets automatically.
[[File:Space_station_hub_gui.png|thumb|300px|The space platform's GUI. There is one station set for the [[solar system edge]]. ]]

When set to "automatic" mode, the platform will automatically fly to the designated planet. If attempting to travel to a planet that has no direct route to, the platform will fill in any gaps along the way. For example, attempting to fly from [[Vulcanus]] to [[Fulgora]] will have a platform automatically fly to [[Nauvis]] first.

There are 12 types of wait conditions, many of them unique to space platforms:
* '''All requests satisfied''': All requests from the current planet have been satisfied.
* '''Any request not satisfied''': At least one request from the current planet is not satisfied.
* '''Any request zero''': At least one request (from anywhere, including from no planet at all) is at zero on the platform.
* '''Circuit condition''': A condition is met from the [[circuit network]].
* '''Damage taken''': The platform has received a certain value of damage, defaulting to 1,000.
* '''Inactivity''': No items were received or dropped out of the hub for the specified amount of seconds.
* '''Item count''': The hub contains a specific amount of a certain item.
* '''Passenger not present''': No players are present on the platform.
* '''Passenger present''': At least one player is present on the platform.
* '''Request not satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is not satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Request satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Time passed'''

Additionally, platforms can make use of [[Railway#Schedule interrupts|schedule interrupts]], which behave exactly like trains. There is also an interrupt condition not present in the wait conditions list:
* '''Any planet import zero''': Any of a specific planet's imports are not satisfied.

The one exception to wait conditions is when traveling to the [[shattered planet]]. When this is selected, the wait condition becomes a "fly condition". Whatever condition is set will trigger while en-route to the shattered planet as if the platform was already stopped there. This is because the player is not intended to actually reach the shattered planet (though it is possible), and so the fly condition becomes a way to easily turn the platform around at a certain time.

If the platform hub is connected to a circuit network outside the hub, the following options are available:
* '''Read contents''': The hub will output its contents to the circuit network
* '''Send to platform''': Any signals on wires will be passed to the hub, allowing them to be used for wait conditions
* '''Read moving to''': The platform will output the planet at the end of the current space route with a value of 1.
* '''Read moving from''': The platform will output the planet at the beginning of the current space route with a value of 2.
** If both "moving from" and "moving to" are selected, a platform stopped at a planet will output the planet's signal with a value of 3.
* '''Read speed''': The platform will output its current velocity, defaulting to [[File:Signal-V.png|24px]]
** A speed signal will only show as 0 when stopped at a planet. If a platform is stopped between planets for whatever reason, it will slowly drift into orbit of the nearest planet, giving the signal a value of 10 or -10.
* '''Read damage taken''': The platform will output the amount of damage taken in the current trip, defaulting to [[File:Signal-D.png|24px]]

== Asteroids ==
{{main|asteroids}}

Space platforms regularly encounter [[asteroids]].

The smallest asteroids are called "chunks". Chunks can be collected by [[asteroid collector]]s and processed into various raw materials by [[crusher]]s. Among other uses, it is possible to convert these materials into [[thruster fuel]] and [[thruster oxidizer]].

Asteroids larger than chunks may also appear. However, they cannot be grabbed by asteroid collectors, and will damage the space platform upon impact. They can be targeted by turrets, and can be broken into multiple smaller asteroids by reducing their health to 0. This is done repeatedly until they become chunks.

During voyages, the number and relative velocity of asteroids increases proportionally to the platform's speed. It is therefore dangerous for a space platform to travel faster than it can destroy the asteroids that it will encounter. Different locations contain different amounts of each type of asteroid, and routes between locations may vary these numbers over the course of a journey. For example, only chunks will appear in stationary orbit around [[Nauvis]], thus providing a safe building environment free of larger asteroids that may damage the platform.

== Access to basic resources ==
* [[Water]] can be obtained from [[oxide asteroid chunk]]s via [[oxide asteroid crushing]] and [[ice melting]].
* [[Stone]] is not obtainable and must be brought up from planets.
* [[Iron ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Copper ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[advanced metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Coal]] can be obtained from [[carbonic asteroid chunk]]s via [[coal synthesis]] by using [[carbon]] and [[sulfur]] from [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Crude oil]] is not obtainable. However:
** [[Sulfur]] can be obtained via [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
** [[Heavy oil]] can be obtained via [[simple coal liquefaction]] using [[calcite]] obtained from [[advanced oxide asteroid crushing]].

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|reach-for-the-stars}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="300px" heights="200px">
space platform titlescreen.png|Space platform seen on the expansion's title screen.
</gallery>

== History ==
{{history|2.0.23|
* Added an error message when manually trying to launch a rocket to a full space platform.
* Changed space platforms to not delete items on the ground when deconstructing them.}}

{{history|2.0.14|
* Deletion of space platforms requires confirmation.}}

{{history|2.0.7|
* Introduced in [[Space Age]]{{SA}} expansion.
}}

{{SpaceNav}}

Space platform

2026-02-17T22:08:46Z

Gotube: /* Interplanetary schedules */ Replaced "reactions" with "options"

{{Languages}}
{{About/Space age}}
[[File:Space platform.jpg|thumb|Space platform example provided by Wube in [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 Friday Facts #381 - Space Platforms]]]

'''Space platforms''' are factories that can be built in space. Each space platform is a self-contained factory supported by a [[space platform hub]].

== Purpose ==
Broadly speaking, there are three purposes which space platforms might serve:
* To craft recipes that can only be crafted in space, such as manufacturing [[space science pack]]s.
* To transport players and items between planets.
* To collect and process [[asteroids]].

== Creation and deletion ==
Space platforms are created by loading a [[space platform starter pack]] into a rocket and pressing the button to create a new space platform. Alternatively, players may order the creation of a space platform from the remote view through the list on the top-left corner of the screen, in which case the necessary space platform starter pack is treated as a request from a not-yet-existing space platform around the specified planet. Either way, players are then allowed to name their new space platform. Note that space platforms can later be renamed from the menus of their space platform hubs.

Platforms can be deleted. After confirming that the platform is to be deleted, the deleted platform goes into a queue, which is shown at the bottom of the platform list in the remote view. Should the player regret their decision, then this gives five minutes to decide if they want to undo the removal of the platform before it is permanently deleted.

If the platform hub is destroyed, the entire space platform and all of its contents are lost. If any [[player]] is aboard when this happens, the player will respawn at the last planet they were at before going to space.

== Construction ==
Unlike planetary surfaces, space platforms can only be edited by using the remote view. Therefore, players will order the construction of a space platform by placing ghosts. Instead of [[construction robot]]s being used for constructing the space platform, the platform itself will automatically construct ghost entities and move ghost items to and from the platform hub as soon as materials are available and these actions are not obstructed. If the necessary materials are not available, they will be automatically requested from the planet where the space platform is stationed, if the appropriate option is enabled in the platform's logistic requests section.

A newly-created space platform consists of a 10×10 square of [[space platform foundation]] with a [[space platform hub]] in its center, all surrounded by empty space. Unlike most buildings, the space platform hub cannot be removed, and its destruction directly results in the loss of the entire space platform.

As nothing can be built on empty space, the platform must first be expanded with more space platform foundation. The platform's foundation must consist of a single connected area with no detached islands, and holes of empty space surrounded by foundation are not allowed. Should these rules be broken, then the violating tiles will not be built or removed before the issue is resolved.

[[Asteroid collector]]s and [[thruster]]s can only be built on the edge of the platform. In particular, thrusters can only be built on the southern edge, and no foundation can be built within the rectangular area extending from the southern edge of the thruster for 82 tiles.

The entire platform surface functions as an [[electric system|electric network]], so space platforms do not need any power poles.

=== Placement restrictions ===
Some entities cannot be placed on space platforms:
* [[Chests]] can't be placed on platforms. The main storage structure is the platform hub.
* [[Robots]] and [[roboport]]s don't function in space, and no [[railway]] entities can be placed.
* [[Burner devices]] can't be placed on platforms. According to [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 FFF-381], this is to add "a bit of realism as there's no atmosphere in space".
* Space platforms have particular surface conditions, so buildings which have restrictions may not be placed on them. This is the same as for any other surface.

Electric poles can be built, but the global electric network covering the entire platform powers all devices. As such, electric poles are only useful as a way to [[circuit network|wire together]] distant entities.

=== Maximum platform size ===
The space platform can be as large as desired, however it may only extend up to 200 [[tile]]s north from the center of the [[space platform hub]].

== Transport between planets and space platforms ==

To transport players and items between a planet's surface and a space platform, the space platform must be stationed in orbit around the planet.

Items are delivered up to a platform by launching a [[rocket]] from a [[rocket silo]]. This can be done in one of three ways:
* Filling the rocket manually or by using inserters, then manually sending the rocket towards the space platform by using the rocket silo's menu. This method allows sending rockets with several different types of items inside the same rocket, but cannot be automated.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub, then filling a rocket with items of a type that is being requested, either manually or using by inserters. The rocket will then launch automatically. Only one type of item may be sent per rocket using this method.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub while having a rocket silo set to request items from the logistic network. This allows [[logistic robot]]s to fill the rocket automatically, and the rocket will launch automatically when full. Only one type of item will be sent per rocket.

The space platform hub will automatically request any items that are needed for construction of the platform. Automatic requests can receive items from any planet, whereas manual requests will only be fulfilled at one planet specified by the player. For manual requests, it is also possible to set a custom minimum payload per rocket instead of only accepting full rockets.

Items can be sent to a planet orbited by a space platform in one of two ways:
* Manually moving items into the platform hub's orbital drop slots.
* Assigning logistic requests to a planet's [[cargo landing pad]].

The items will then be carried to the planet's surface by [[cargo pod]]s. If the planet has a cargo landing pad, then the cargo pods will go there, placing their payloads directly inside the cargo landing pad's inventory (spilling the items if the cargo landing pad is already full). Otherwise, the cargo pod will land at a random location near the planet's spawn point. Landed cargo pods will wait for players to collect their payloads, and are automatically destroyed when emptied.

Unlike transfers from a planet's surface to a space platform, transfers from space platforms to planetary surfaces come at no material costs despite the appearance of a cargo pod.

== Passengers ==
Characters can travel to space platforms by riding a rocket, and can likewise leave the platform in a cargo pod.

One character traveling to a space platform takes up an entire rocket, and is not allowed to carry any items in their inventory, except for their equipped weapons and armor (but not ammunition). All other items must be transferred to the space platform hub in separate rockets.

Players aboard space platforms are locked inside the space platform hub, unable to move. The player is therefore locked into remote view until they drop their character to a planetary surface. Note that there is no way to access a player's inventory while in this state.

[[Biter egg]]s and [[pentapod egg]]s that spoil on the platform (either in the hub or on a belt) produce enemy entities like normal. These enemies do not suffocate, nor are they damaged by the environment. They will attack nearby structures as normal.

== Travel ==
Space platforms with one or more [[thruster]]s are able to perform voyages between different space locations, such as planets. The more thrusters that are installed on a platform, the faster the platform can get to its destination, but this also causes asteroids to appear faster and threaten the platform. When the thrusters are stopped while in mid-destination, the platform will slowly move toward the destination it's closer to via gravitational pull.

=== Weight ===
Platform weight depends on how many [[space platform foundation]] tiles the platform has. Each tile of [[space platform foundation]] weighs 200kg or 0.2 tons. The [[space platform hub]] itself weighs 20 tons. Notably, extra [[cargo bay]]s do not increase the platform's weight (aside from requiring [[space platform foundation]] under them).

=== Interplanetary schedules ===
Travel between planets can be automated, in a manner similar to using [[railway|trains]]. Clicking on the [[space platform hub]] will bring up its GUI. Individual planets can be added to the platform's schedule by clicking the "add station" button. A popup will appear with all currently unlocked space destinations. When one is selected, another button appears for selecting a wait condition from a drop-down list. Like trains, wait conditions are used to tell the platform when to leave the planet's orbit. If no wait condition is selected, the platform will continue to its next stop, if one exists. One can also select if the platform will unload cargo at a planet. If this option is deselected, platforms will not drop any items down to planets automatically.
[[File:Space_station_hub_gui.png|thumb|300px|The space platform's GUI. There is one station set for the [[solar system edge]]. ]]

When set to "automatic" mode, the platform will automatically fly to the designated planet. If attempting to travel to a planet that has no direct route to, the platform will fill in any gaps along the way. For example, attempting to fly from [[Vulcanus]] to [[Fulgora]] will have a platform automatically fly to [[Nauvis]] first.

There are 12 types of wait conditions, many of them unique to space platforms:
* '''All requests satisfied''': All requests from the current planet have been satisfied.
* '''Any request not satisfied''': At least one request from the current planet is not satisfied.
* '''Any request zero''': At least one request (from anywhere, including from no planet at all) is at zero on the platform.
* '''Circuit condition''': A condition is met from the [[circuit network]].
* '''Damage taken''': The platform has received a certain value of damage, defaulting to 1,000.
* '''Inactivity''': No items were received or dropped out of the hub for the specified amount of seconds.
* '''Item count''': The hub contains a specific amount of a certain item.
* '''Passenger not present''': No players are present on the platform.
* '''Passenger present''': At least one player is present on the platform.
* '''Request not satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is not satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Request satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Time passed'''

Additionally, platforms can make use of [[Railway#Schedule interrupts|schedule interrupts]], which behave exactly like trains. There is also an interrupt condition not present in the wait conditions list:
* '''Any planet import zero''': Any of a specific planet's imports are not satisfied.

The one exception to wait conditions is when traveling to the [[shattered planet]]. When this is selected, the wait condition becomes a "fly condition". Whatever condition is set will trigger while en-route to the shattered planet as if the platform was already stopped there. This is because the player is not intended to actually reach the shattered planet (though it is possible), and so the fly condition becomes a way to easily turn the platform around at a certain time.

The platform hub is able to be connected to the circuit network, with the following options:
* '''Read contents''': The hub will output its contents to the circuit network
* '''Send to platform''': Any signals on wires will be passed to the hub, allowing them to be used for wait conditions
* '''Read moving to''': The platform will output the planet at the end of the current space route with a value of 1.
* '''Read moving from''': The platform will output the planet at the beginning of the current space route with a value of 2.
** If both "moving from" and "moving to" are selected, a platform stopped at a planet will output the planet's signal with a value of 3.
* '''Read speed''': The platform will output its current velocity, defaulting to [[File:Signal-V.png|24px]]
** A speed signal will only show as 0 when stopped at a planet. If a platform is stopped between planets for whatever reason, it will slowly drift into orbit of the nearest planet, giving the signal a value of 10 or -10.
* '''Read damage taken''': The platform will output the amount of damage taken in the current trip, defaulting to [[File:Signal-D.png|24px]]

== Asteroids ==
{{main|asteroids}}

Space platforms regularly encounter [[asteroids]].

The smallest asteroids are called "chunks". Chunks can be collected by [[asteroid collector]]s and processed into various raw materials by [[crusher]]s. Among other uses, it is possible to convert these materials into [[thruster fuel]] and [[thruster oxidizer]].

Asteroids larger than chunks may also appear. However, they cannot be grabbed by asteroid collectors, and will damage the space platform upon impact. They can be targeted by turrets, and can be broken into multiple smaller asteroids by reducing their health to 0. This is done repeatedly until they become chunks.

During voyages, the number and relative velocity of asteroids increases proportionally to the platform's speed. It is therefore dangerous for a space platform to travel faster than it can destroy the asteroids that it will encounter. Different locations contain different amounts of each type of asteroid, and routes between locations may vary these numbers over the course of a journey. For example, only chunks will appear in stationary orbit around [[Nauvis]], thus providing a safe building environment free of larger asteroids that may damage the platform.

== Access to basic resources ==
* [[Water]] can be obtained from [[oxide asteroid chunk]]s via [[oxide asteroid crushing]] and [[ice melting]].
* [[Stone]] is not obtainable and must be brought up from planets.
* [[Iron ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Copper ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[advanced metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Coal]] can be obtained from [[carbonic asteroid chunk]]s via [[coal synthesis]] by using [[carbon]] and [[sulfur]] from [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Crude oil]] is not obtainable. However:
** [[Sulfur]] can be obtained via [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
** [[Heavy oil]] can be obtained via [[simple coal liquefaction]] using [[calcite]] obtained from [[advanced oxide asteroid crushing]].

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|reach-for-the-stars}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="300px" heights="200px">
space platform titlescreen.png|Space platform seen on the expansion's title screen.
</gallery>

== History ==
{{history|2.0.23|
* Added an error message when manually trying to launch a rocket to a full space platform.
* Changed space platforms to not delete items on the ground when deconstructing them.}}

{{history|2.0.14|
* Deletion of space platforms requires confirmation.}}

{{history|2.0.7|
* Introduced in [[Space Age]]{{SA}} expansion.
}}

{{SpaceNav}}

Space platform

2026-02-17T21:59:22Z

Gotube: /* Planetary schedules */ Renamed section to show it's not about schedules of planets, but about schedules between planets

{{Languages}}
{{About/Space age}}
[[File:Space platform.jpg|thumb|Space platform example provided by Wube in [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 Friday Facts #381 - Space Platforms]]]

'''Space platforms''' are factories that can be built in space. Each space platform is a self-contained factory supported by a [[space platform hub]].

== Purpose ==
Broadly speaking, there are three purposes which space platforms might serve:
* To craft recipes that can only be crafted in space, such as manufacturing [[space science pack]]s.
* To transport players and items between planets.
* To collect and process [[asteroids]].

== Creation and deletion ==
Space platforms are created by loading a [[space platform starter pack]] into a rocket and pressing the button to create a new space platform. Alternatively, players may order the creation of a space platform from the remote view through the list on the top-left corner of the screen, in which case the necessary space platform starter pack is treated as a request from a not-yet-existing space platform around the specified planet. Either way, players are then allowed to name their new space platform. Note that space platforms can later be renamed from the menus of their space platform hubs.

Platforms can be deleted. After confirming that the platform is to be deleted, the deleted platform goes into a queue, which is shown at the bottom of the platform list in the remote view. Should the player regret their decision, then this gives five minutes to decide if they want to undo the removal of the platform before it is permanently deleted.

If the platform hub is destroyed, the entire space platform and all of its contents are lost. If any [[player]] is aboard when this happens, the player will respawn at the last planet they were at before going to space.

== Construction ==
Unlike planetary surfaces, space platforms can only be edited by using the remote view. Therefore, players will order the construction of a space platform by placing ghosts. Instead of [[construction robot]]s being used for constructing the space platform, the platform itself will automatically construct ghost entities and move ghost items to and from the platform hub as soon as materials are available and these actions are not obstructed. If the necessary materials are not available, they will be automatically requested from the planet where the space platform is stationed, if the appropriate option is enabled in the platform's logistic requests section.

A newly-created space platform consists of a 10×10 square of [[space platform foundation]] with a [[space platform hub]] in its center, all surrounded by empty space. Unlike most buildings, the space platform hub cannot be removed, and its destruction directly results in the loss of the entire space platform.

As nothing can be built on empty space, the platform must first be expanded with more space platform foundation. The platform's foundation must consist of a single connected area with no detached islands, and holes of empty space surrounded by foundation are not allowed. Should these rules be broken, then the violating tiles will not be built or removed before the issue is resolved.

[[Asteroid collector]]s and [[thruster]]s can only be built on the edge of the platform. In particular, thrusters can only be built on the southern edge, and no foundation can be built within the rectangular area extending from the southern edge of the thruster for 82 tiles.

The entire platform surface functions as an [[electric system|electric network]], so space platforms do not need any power poles.

=== Placement restrictions ===
Some entities cannot be placed on space platforms:
* [[Chests]] can't be placed on platforms. The main storage structure is the platform hub.
* [[Robots]] and [[roboport]]s don't function in space, and no [[railway]] entities can be placed.
* [[Burner devices]] can't be placed on platforms. According to [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 FFF-381], this is to add "a bit of realism as there's no atmosphere in space".
* Space platforms have particular surface conditions, so buildings which have restrictions may not be placed on them. This is the same as for any other surface.

Electric poles can be built, but the global electric network covering the entire platform powers all devices. As such, electric poles are only useful as a way to [[circuit network|wire together]] distant entities.

=== Maximum platform size ===
The space platform can be as large as desired, however it may only extend up to 200 [[tile]]s north from the center of the [[space platform hub]].

== Transport between planets and space platforms ==

To transport players and items between a planet's surface and a space platform, the space platform must be stationed in orbit around the planet.

Items are delivered up to a platform by launching a [[rocket]] from a [[rocket silo]]. This can be done in one of three ways:
* Filling the rocket manually or by using inserters, then manually sending the rocket towards the space platform by using the rocket silo's menu. This method allows sending rockets with several different types of items inside the same rocket, but cannot be automated.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub, then filling a rocket with items of a type that is being requested, either manually or using by inserters. The rocket will then launch automatically. Only one type of item may be sent per rocket using this method.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub while having a rocket silo set to request items from the logistic network. This allows [[logistic robot]]s to fill the rocket automatically, and the rocket will launch automatically when full. Only one type of item will be sent per rocket.

The space platform hub will automatically request any items that are needed for construction of the platform. Automatic requests can receive items from any planet, whereas manual requests will only be fulfilled at one planet specified by the player. For manual requests, it is also possible to set a custom minimum payload per rocket instead of only accepting full rockets.

Items can be sent to a planet orbited by a space platform in one of two ways:
* Manually moving items into the platform hub's orbital drop slots.
* Assigning logistic requests to a planet's [[cargo landing pad]].

The items will then be carried to the planet's surface by [[cargo pod]]s. If the planet has a cargo landing pad, then the cargo pods will go there, placing their payloads directly inside the cargo landing pad's inventory (spilling the items if the cargo landing pad is already full). Otherwise, the cargo pod will land at a random location near the planet's spawn point. Landed cargo pods will wait for players to collect their payloads, and are automatically destroyed when emptied.

Unlike transfers from a planet's surface to a space platform, transfers from space platforms to planetary surfaces come at no material costs despite the appearance of a cargo pod.

== Passengers ==
Characters can travel to space platforms by riding a rocket, and can likewise leave the platform in a cargo pod.

One character traveling to a space platform takes up an entire rocket, and is not allowed to carry any items in their inventory, except for their equipped weapons and armor (but not ammunition). All other items must be transferred to the space platform hub in separate rockets.

Players aboard space platforms are locked inside the space platform hub, unable to move. The player is therefore locked into remote view until they drop their character to a planetary surface. Note that there is no way to access a player's inventory while in this state.

[[Biter egg]]s and [[pentapod egg]]s that spoil on the platform (either in the hub or on a belt) produce enemy entities like normal. These enemies do not suffocate, nor are they damaged by the environment. They will attack nearby structures as normal.

== Travel ==
Space platforms with one or more [[thruster]]s are able to perform voyages between different space locations, such as planets. The more thrusters that are installed on a platform, the faster the platform can get to its destination, but this also causes asteroids to appear faster and threaten the platform. When the thrusters are stopped while in mid-destination, the platform will slowly move toward the destination it's closer to via gravitational pull.

=== Weight ===
Platform weight depends on how many [[space platform foundation]] tiles the platform has. Each tile of [[space platform foundation]] weighs 200kg or 0.2 tons. The [[space platform hub]] itself weighs 20 tons. Notably, extra [[cargo bay]]s do not increase the platform's weight (aside from requiring [[space platform foundation]] under them).

=== Interplanetary schedules ===
Travel between planets can be automated, in a manner similar to using [[railway|trains]]. Clicking on the [[space platform hub]] will bring up its GUI. Individual planets can be added to the platform's schedule by clicking the "add station" button. A popup will appear with all currently unlocked space destinations. When one is selected, another button appears for selecting a wait condition from a drop-down list. Like trains, wait conditions are used to tell the platform when to leave the planet's orbit. If no wait condition is selected, the platform will continue to its next stop, if one exists. One can also select if the platform will unload cargo at a planet. If this option is deselected, platforms will not drop any items down to planets automatically.
[[File:Space_station_hub_gui.png|thumb|300px|The space platform's GUI. There is one station set for the [[solar system edge]]. ]]

When set to "automatic" mode, the platform will automatically fly to the designated planet. If attempting to travel to a planet that has no direct route to, the platform will fill in any gaps along the way. For example, attempting to fly from [[Vulcanus]] to [[Fulgora]] will have a platform automatically fly to [[Nauvis]] first.

There are 12 types of wait conditions, many of them unique to space platforms:
* '''All requests satisfied''': All requests from the current planet have been satisfied.
* '''Any request not satisfied''': At least one request from the current planet is not satisfied.
* '''Any request zero''': At least one request (from anywhere, including from no planet at all) is at zero on the platform.
* '''Circuit condition''': A condition is met from the [[circuit network]].
* '''Damage taken''': The platform has received a certain value of damage, defaulting to 1,000.
* '''Inactivity''': No items were received or dropped out of the hub for the specified amount of seconds.
* '''Item count''': The hub contains a specific amount of a certain item.
* '''Passenger not present''': No players are present on the platform.
* '''Passenger present''': At least one player is present on the platform.
* '''Request not satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is not satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Request satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Time passed'''

Additionally, platforms can make use of [[Railway#Schedule interrupts|schedule interrupts]], which behave exactly like trains. There is also an interrupt condition not present in the wait conditions list:
* '''Any planet import zero''': Any of a specific planet's imports are not satisfied.

The one exception to wait conditions is when traveling to the [[shattered planet]]. When this is selected, the wait condition becomes a "fly condition". Whatever condition is set will trigger while en-route to the shattered planet as if the platform was already stopped there. This is because the player is not intended to actually reach the shattered planet (though it is possible), and so the fly condition becomes a way to easily turn the platform around at a certain time.

The platform hub is able to be connected to the circuit network, with the following reactions:
* '''Read contents''': The hub will output its contents to the circuit network
* '''Send to platform''': Any signals on wires will be passed to the hub, allowing them to be used for wait conditions
* '''Read moving to''': The platform will output the planet at the end of the current space route with a value of 1.
* '''Read moving from''': The platform will output the planet at the beginning of the current space route with a value of 2.
** If both "moving from" and "moving to" are selected, a platform stopped at a planet will output the planet's signal with a value of 3.
* '''Read speed''': The platform will output its current velocity, defaulting to [[File:Signal-V.png|24px]]
** A speed signal will only show as 0 when stopped at a planet. If a platform is stopped between planets for whatever reason, it will slowly drift into orbit of the nearest planet, giving the signal a value of 10 or -10.
* '''Read damage taken''': The platform will output the amount of damage taken in the current trip, defaulting to [[File:Signal-D.png|24px]]

== Asteroids ==
{{main|asteroids}}

Space platforms regularly encounter [[asteroids]].

The smallest asteroids are called "chunks". Chunks can be collected by [[asteroid collector]]s and processed into various raw materials by [[crusher]]s. Among other uses, it is possible to convert these materials into [[thruster fuel]] and [[thruster oxidizer]].

Asteroids larger than chunks may also appear. However, they cannot be grabbed by asteroid collectors, and will damage the space platform upon impact. They can be targeted by turrets, and can be broken into multiple smaller asteroids by reducing their health to 0. This is done repeatedly until they become chunks.

During voyages, the number and relative velocity of asteroids increases proportionally to the platform's speed. It is therefore dangerous for a space platform to travel faster than it can destroy the asteroids that it will encounter. Different locations contain different amounts of each type of asteroid, and routes between locations may vary these numbers over the course of a journey. For example, only chunks will appear in stationary orbit around [[Nauvis]], thus providing a safe building environment free of larger asteroids that may damage the platform.

== Access to basic resources ==
* [[Water]] can be obtained from [[oxide asteroid chunk]]s via [[oxide asteroid crushing]] and [[ice melting]].
* [[Stone]] is not obtainable and must be brought up from planets.
* [[Iron ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Copper ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[advanced metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Coal]] can be obtained from [[carbonic asteroid chunk]]s via [[coal synthesis]] by using [[carbon]] and [[sulfur]] from [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Crude oil]] is not obtainable. However:
** [[Sulfur]] can be obtained via [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
** [[Heavy oil]] can be obtained via [[simple coal liquefaction]] using [[calcite]] obtained from [[advanced oxide asteroid crushing]].

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|reach-for-the-stars}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="300px" heights="200px">
space platform titlescreen.png|Space platform seen on the expansion's title screen.
</gallery>

== History ==
{{history|2.0.23|
* Added an error message when manually trying to launch a rocket to a full space platform.
* Changed space platforms to not delete items on the ground when deconstructing them.}}

{{history|2.0.14|
* Deletion of space platforms requires confirmation.}}

{{history|2.0.7|
* Introduced in [[Space Age]]{{SA}} expansion.
}}

{{SpaceNav}}

Space platform

2026-02-17T21:50:01Z

Gotube: /* Planetary schedules */ Fixed that "Any request zero" applies to any request at all, not just from the current planet

{{Languages}}
{{About/Space age}}
[[File:Space platform.jpg|thumb|Space platform example provided by Wube in [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 Friday Facts #381 - Space Platforms]]]

'''Space platforms''' are factories that can be built in space. Each space platform is a self-contained factory supported by a [[space platform hub]].

== Purpose ==
Broadly speaking, there are three purposes which space platforms might serve:
* To craft recipes that can only be crafted in space, such as manufacturing [[space science pack]]s.
* To transport players and items between planets.
* To collect and process [[asteroids]].

== Creation and deletion ==
Space platforms are created by loading a [[space platform starter pack]] into a rocket and pressing the button to create a new space platform. Alternatively, players may order the creation of a space platform from the remote view through the list on the top-left corner of the screen, in which case the necessary space platform starter pack is treated as a request from a not-yet-existing space platform around the specified planet. Either way, players are then allowed to name their new space platform. Note that space platforms can later be renamed from the menus of their space platform hubs.

Platforms can be deleted. After confirming that the platform is to be deleted, the deleted platform goes into a queue, which is shown at the bottom of the platform list in the remote view. Should the player regret their decision, then this gives five minutes to decide if they want to undo the removal of the platform before it is permanently deleted.

If the platform hub is destroyed, the entire space platform and all of its contents are lost. If any [[player]] is aboard when this happens, the player will respawn at the last planet they were at before going to space.

== Construction ==
Unlike planetary surfaces, space platforms can only be edited by using the remote view. Therefore, players will order the construction of a space platform by placing ghosts. Instead of [[construction robot]]s being used for constructing the space platform, the platform itself will automatically construct ghost entities and move ghost items to and from the platform hub as soon as materials are available and these actions are not obstructed. If the necessary materials are not available, they will be automatically requested from the planet where the space platform is stationed, if the appropriate option is enabled in the platform's logistic requests section.

A newly-created space platform consists of a 10×10 square of [[space platform foundation]] with a [[space platform hub]] in its center, all surrounded by empty space. Unlike most buildings, the space platform hub cannot be removed, and its destruction directly results in the loss of the entire space platform.

As nothing can be built on empty space, the platform must first be expanded with more space platform foundation. The platform's foundation must consist of a single connected area with no detached islands, and holes of empty space surrounded by foundation are not allowed. Should these rules be broken, then the violating tiles will not be built or removed before the issue is resolved.

[[Asteroid collector]]s and [[thruster]]s can only be built on the edge of the platform. In particular, thrusters can only be built on the southern edge, and no foundation can be built within the rectangular area extending from the southern edge of the thruster for 82 tiles.

The entire platform surface functions as an [[electric system|electric network]], so space platforms do not need any power poles.

=== Placement restrictions ===
Some entities cannot be placed on space platforms:
* [[Chests]] can't be placed on platforms. The main storage structure is the platform hub.
* [[Robots]] and [[roboport]]s don't function in space, and no [[railway]] entities can be placed.
* [[Burner devices]] can't be placed on platforms. According to [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 FFF-381], this is to add "a bit of realism as there's no atmosphere in space".
* Space platforms have particular surface conditions, so buildings which have restrictions may not be placed on them. This is the same as for any other surface.

Electric poles can be built, but the global electric network covering the entire platform powers all devices. As such, electric poles are only useful as a way to [[circuit network|wire together]] distant entities.

=== Maximum platform size ===
The space platform can be as large as desired, however it may only extend up to 200 [[tile]]s north from the center of the [[space platform hub]].

== Transport between planets and space platforms ==

To transport players and items between a planet's surface and a space platform, the space platform must be stationed in orbit around the planet.

Items are delivered up to a platform by launching a [[rocket]] from a [[rocket silo]]. This can be done in one of three ways:
* Filling the rocket manually or by using inserters, then manually sending the rocket towards the space platform by using the rocket silo's menu. This method allows sending rockets with several different types of items inside the same rocket, but cannot be automated.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub, then filling a rocket with items of a type that is being requested, either manually or using by inserters. The rocket will then launch automatically. Only one type of item may be sent per rocket using this method.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub while having a rocket silo set to request items from the logistic network. This allows [[logistic robot]]s to fill the rocket automatically, and the rocket will launch automatically when full. Only one type of item will be sent per rocket.

The space platform hub will automatically request any items that are needed for construction of the platform. Automatic requests can receive items from any planet, whereas manual requests will only be fulfilled at one planet specified by the player. For manual requests, it is also possible to set a custom minimum payload per rocket instead of only accepting full rockets.

Items can be sent to a planet orbited by a space platform in one of two ways:
* Manually moving items into the platform hub's orbital drop slots.
* Assigning logistic requests to a planet's [[cargo landing pad]].

The items will then be carried to the planet's surface by [[cargo pod]]s. If the planet has a cargo landing pad, then the cargo pods will go there, placing their payloads directly inside the cargo landing pad's inventory (spilling the items if the cargo landing pad is already full). Otherwise, the cargo pod will land at a random location near the planet's spawn point. Landed cargo pods will wait for players to collect their payloads, and are automatically destroyed when emptied.

Unlike transfers from a planet's surface to a space platform, transfers from space platforms to planetary surfaces come at no material costs despite the appearance of a cargo pod.

== Passengers ==
Characters can travel to space platforms by riding a rocket, and can likewise leave the platform in a cargo pod.

One character traveling to a space platform takes up an entire rocket, and is not allowed to carry any items in their inventory, except for their equipped weapons and armor (but not ammunition). All other items must be transferred to the space platform hub in separate rockets.

Players aboard space platforms are locked inside the space platform hub, unable to move. The player is therefore locked into remote view until they drop their character to a planetary surface. Note that there is no way to access a player's inventory while in this state.

[[Biter egg]]s and [[pentapod egg]]s that spoil on the platform (either in the hub or on a belt) produce enemy entities like normal. These enemies do not suffocate, nor are they damaged by the environment. They will attack nearby structures as normal.

== Travel ==
Space platforms with one or more [[thruster]]s are able to perform voyages between different space locations, such as planets. The more thrusters that are installed on a platform, the faster the platform can get to its destination, but this also causes asteroids to appear faster and threaten the platform. When the thrusters are stopped while in mid-destination, the platform will slowly move toward the destination it's closer to via gravitational pull.

=== Weight ===
Platform weight depends on how many [[space platform foundation]] tiles the platform has. Each tile of [[space platform foundation]] weighs 200kg or 0.2 tons. The [[space platform hub]] itself weighs 20 tons. Notably, extra [[cargo bay]]s do not increase the platform's weight (aside from requiring [[space platform foundation]] under them).

=== Planetary schedules ===
Travel between planets can be automated, in a manner similar to using [[railway|trains]]. Clicking on the [[space platform hub]] will bring up its GUI. Individual planets can be added to the platform's schedule by clicking the "add station" button. A popup will appear with all currently unlocked space destinations. When one is selected, another button appears for selecting a wait condition from a drop-down list. Like trains, wait conditions are used to tell the platform when to leave the planet's orbit. If no wait condition is selected, the platform will continue to its next stop, if one exists. One can also select if the platform will unload cargo at a planet. If this option is deselected, platforms will not drop any items down to planets automatically.
[[File:Space_station_hub_gui.png|thumb|300px|The space platform's GUI. There is one station set for the [[solar system edge]]. ]]

When set to "automatic" mode, the platform will automatically fly to the designated planet. If attempting to travel to a planet that has no direct route to, the platform will fill in any gaps along the way. For example, attempting to fly from [[Vulcanus]] to [[Fulgora]] will have a platform automatically fly to [[Nauvis]] first.

There are 12 types of wait conditions, many of them unique to space platforms:
* '''All requests satisfied''': All requests from the current planet have been satisfied.
* '''Any request not satisfied''': At least one request from the current planet is not satisfied.
* '''Any request zero''': At least one request (from anywhere, including from no planet at all) is at zero on the platform.
* '''Circuit condition''': A condition is met from the [[circuit network]].
* '''Damage taken''': The platform has received a certain value of damage, defaulting to 1,000.
* '''Inactivity''': No items were received or dropped out of the hub for the specified amount of seconds.
* '''Item count''': The hub contains a specific amount of a certain item.
* '''Passenger not present''': No players are present on the platform.
* '''Passenger present''': At least one player is present on the platform.
* '''Request not satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is not satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Request satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Time passed'''

Additionally, platforms can make use of [[Railway#Schedule interrupts|schedule interrupts]], which behave exactly like trains. There is also an interrupt condition not present in the wait conditions list:
* '''Any planet import zero''': Any of a specific planet's imports are not satisfied.

The one exception to wait conditions is when traveling to the [[shattered planet]]. When this is selected, the wait condition becomes a "fly condition". Whatever condition is set will trigger while en-route to the shattered planet as if the platform was already stopped there. This is because the player is not intended to actually reach the shattered planet (though it is possible), and so the fly condition becomes a way to easily turn the platform around at a certain time.

The platform hub is able to be connected to the circuit network, with the following reactions:
* '''Read contents''': The hub will output its contents to the circuit network
* '''Send to platform''': Any signals on wires will be passed to the hub, allowing them to be used for wait conditions
* '''Read moving to''': The platform will output the planet at the end of the current space route with a value of 1.
* '''Read moving from''': The platform will output the planet at the beginning of the current space route with a value of 2.
** If both "moving from" and "moving to" are selected, a platform stopped at a planet will output the planet's signal with a value of 3.
* '''Read speed''': The platform will output its current velocity, defaulting to [[File:Signal-V.png|24px]]
** A speed signal will only show as 0 when stopped at a planet. If a platform is stopped between planets for whatever reason, it will slowly drift into orbit of the nearest planet, giving the signal a value of 10 or -10.
* '''Read damage taken''': The platform will output the amount of damage taken in the current trip, defaulting to [[File:Signal-D.png|24px]]

== Asteroids ==
{{main|asteroids}}

Space platforms regularly encounter [[asteroids]].

The smallest asteroids are called "chunks". Chunks can be collected by [[asteroid collector]]s and processed into various raw materials by [[crusher]]s. Among other uses, it is possible to convert these materials into [[thruster fuel]] and [[thruster oxidizer]].

Asteroids larger than chunks may also appear. However, they cannot be grabbed by asteroid collectors, and will damage the space platform upon impact. They can be targeted by turrets, and can be broken into multiple smaller asteroids by reducing their health to 0. This is done repeatedly until they become chunks.

During voyages, the number and relative velocity of asteroids increases proportionally to the platform's speed. It is therefore dangerous for a space platform to travel faster than it can destroy the asteroids that it will encounter. Different locations contain different amounts of each type of asteroid, and routes between locations may vary these numbers over the course of a journey. For example, only chunks will appear in stationary orbit around [[Nauvis]], thus providing a safe building environment free of larger asteroids that may damage the platform.

== Access to basic resources ==
* [[Water]] can be obtained from [[oxide asteroid chunk]]s via [[oxide asteroid crushing]] and [[ice melting]].
* [[Stone]] is not obtainable and must be brought up from planets.
* [[Iron ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Copper ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[advanced metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Coal]] can be obtained from [[carbonic asteroid chunk]]s via [[coal synthesis]] by using [[carbon]] and [[sulfur]] from [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Crude oil]] is not obtainable. However:
** [[Sulfur]] can be obtained via [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
** [[Heavy oil]] can be obtained via [[simple coal liquefaction]] using [[calcite]] obtained from [[advanced oxide asteroid crushing]].

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|reach-for-the-stars}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="300px" heights="200px">
space platform titlescreen.png|Space platform seen on the expansion's title screen.
</gallery>

== History ==
{{history|2.0.23|
* Added an error message when manually trying to launch a rocket to a full space platform.
* Changed space platforms to not delete items on the ground when deconstructing them.}}

{{history|2.0.14|
* Deletion of space platforms requires confirmation.}}

{{history|2.0.7|
* Introduced in [[Space Age]]{{SA}} expansion.
}}

{{SpaceNav}}

Space platform

2026-02-17T21:39:23Z

Gotube: /* Planetary schedules */ Corrected my previous correction

{{Languages}}
{{About/Space age}}
[[File:Space platform.jpg|thumb|Space platform example provided by Wube in [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 Friday Facts #381 - Space Platforms]]]

'''Space platforms''' are factories that can be built in space. Each space platform is a self-contained factory supported by a [[space platform hub]].

== Purpose ==
Broadly speaking, there are three purposes which space platforms might serve:
* To craft recipes that can only be crafted in space, such as manufacturing [[space science pack]]s.
* To transport players and items between planets.
* To collect and process [[asteroids]].

== Creation and deletion ==
Space platforms are created by loading a [[space platform starter pack]] into a rocket and pressing the button to create a new space platform. Alternatively, players may order the creation of a space platform from the remote view through the list on the top-left corner of the screen, in which case the necessary space platform starter pack is treated as a request from a not-yet-existing space platform around the specified planet. Either way, players are then allowed to name their new space platform. Note that space platforms can later be renamed from the menus of their space platform hubs.

Platforms can be deleted. After confirming that the platform is to be deleted, the deleted platform goes into a queue, which is shown at the bottom of the platform list in the remote view. Should the player regret their decision, then this gives five minutes to decide if they want to undo the removal of the platform before it is permanently deleted.

If the platform hub is destroyed, the entire space platform and all of its contents are lost. If any [[player]] is aboard when this happens, the player will respawn at the last planet they were at before going to space.

== Construction ==
Unlike planetary surfaces, space platforms can only be edited by using the remote view. Therefore, players will order the construction of a space platform by placing ghosts. Instead of [[construction robot]]s being used for constructing the space platform, the platform itself will automatically construct ghost entities and move ghost items to and from the platform hub as soon as materials are available and these actions are not obstructed. If the necessary materials are not available, they will be automatically requested from the planet where the space platform is stationed, if the appropriate option is enabled in the platform's logistic requests section.

A newly-created space platform consists of a 10×10 square of [[space platform foundation]] with a [[space platform hub]] in its center, all surrounded by empty space. Unlike most buildings, the space platform hub cannot be removed, and its destruction directly results in the loss of the entire space platform.

As nothing can be built on empty space, the platform must first be expanded with more space platform foundation. The platform's foundation must consist of a single connected area with no detached islands, and holes of empty space surrounded by foundation are not allowed. Should these rules be broken, then the violating tiles will not be built or removed before the issue is resolved.

[[Asteroid collector]]s and [[thruster]]s can only be built on the edge of the platform. In particular, thrusters can only be built on the southern edge, and no foundation can be built within the rectangular area extending from the southern edge of the thruster for 82 tiles.

The entire platform surface functions as an [[electric system|electric network]], so space platforms do not need any power poles.

=== Placement restrictions ===
Some entities cannot be placed on space platforms:
* [[Chests]] can't be placed on platforms. The main storage structure is the platform hub.
* [[Robots]] and [[roboport]]s don't function in space, and no [[railway]] entities can be placed.
* [[Burner devices]] can't be placed on platforms. According to [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 FFF-381], this is to add "a bit of realism as there's no atmosphere in space".
* Space platforms have particular surface conditions, so buildings which have restrictions may not be placed on them. This is the same as for any other surface.

Electric poles can be built, but the global electric network covering the entire platform powers all devices. As such, electric poles are only useful as a way to [[circuit network|wire together]] distant entities.

=== Maximum platform size ===
The space platform can be as large as desired, however it may only extend up to 200 [[tile]]s north from the center of the [[space platform hub]].

== Transport between planets and space platforms ==

To transport players and items between a planet's surface and a space platform, the space platform must be stationed in orbit around the planet.

Items are delivered up to a platform by launching a [[rocket]] from a [[rocket silo]]. This can be done in one of three ways:
* Filling the rocket manually or by using inserters, then manually sending the rocket towards the space platform by using the rocket silo's menu. This method allows sending rockets with several different types of items inside the same rocket, but cannot be automated.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub, then filling a rocket with items of a type that is being requested, either manually or using by inserters. The rocket will then launch automatically. Only one type of item may be sent per rocket using this method.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub while having a rocket silo set to request items from the logistic network. This allows [[logistic robot]]s to fill the rocket automatically, and the rocket will launch automatically when full. Only one type of item will be sent per rocket.

The space platform hub will automatically request any items that are needed for construction of the platform. Automatic requests can receive items from any planet, whereas manual requests will only be fulfilled at one planet specified by the player. For manual requests, it is also possible to set a custom minimum payload per rocket instead of only accepting full rockets.

Items can be sent to a planet orbited by a space platform in one of two ways:
* Manually moving items into the platform hub's orbital drop slots.
* Assigning logistic requests to a planet's [[cargo landing pad]].

The items will then be carried to the planet's surface by [[cargo pod]]s. If the planet has a cargo landing pad, then the cargo pods will go there, placing their payloads directly inside the cargo landing pad's inventory (spilling the items if the cargo landing pad is already full). Otherwise, the cargo pod will land at a random location near the planet's spawn point. Landed cargo pods will wait for players to collect their payloads, and are automatically destroyed when emptied.

Unlike transfers from a planet's surface to a space platform, transfers from space platforms to planetary surfaces come at no material costs despite the appearance of a cargo pod.

== Passengers ==
Characters can travel to space platforms by riding a rocket, and can likewise leave the platform in a cargo pod.

One character traveling to a space platform takes up an entire rocket, and is not allowed to carry any items in their inventory, except for their equipped weapons and armor (but not ammunition). All other items must be transferred to the space platform hub in separate rockets.

Players aboard space platforms are locked inside the space platform hub, unable to move. The player is therefore locked into remote view until they drop their character to a planetary surface. Note that there is no way to access a player's inventory while in this state.

[[Biter egg]]s and [[pentapod egg]]s that spoil on the platform (either in the hub or on a belt) produce enemy entities like normal. These enemies do not suffocate, nor are they damaged by the environment. They will attack nearby structures as normal.

== Travel ==
Space platforms with one or more [[thruster]]s are able to perform voyages between different space locations, such as planets. The more thrusters that are installed on a platform, the faster the platform can get to its destination, but this also causes asteroids to appear faster and threaten the platform. When the thrusters are stopped while in mid-destination, the platform will slowly move toward the destination it's closer to via gravitational pull.

=== Weight ===
Platform weight depends on how many [[space platform foundation]] tiles the platform has. Each tile of [[space platform foundation]] weighs 200kg or 0.2 tons. The [[space platform hub]] itself weighs 20 tons. Notably, extra [[cargo bay]]s do not increase the platform's weight (aside from requiring [[space platform foundation]] under them).

=== Planetary schedules ===
Travel between planets can be automated, in a manner similar to using [[railway|trains]]. Clicking on the [[space platform hub]] will bring up its GUI. Individual planets can be added to the platform's schedule by clicking the "add station" button. A popup will appear with all currently unlocked space destinations. When one is selected, another button appears for selecting a wait condition from a drop-down list. Like trains, wait conditions are used to tell the platform when to leave the planet's orbit. If no wait condition is selected, the platform will continue to its next stop, if one exists. One can also select if the platform will unload cargo at a planet. If this option is deselected, platforms will not drop any items down to planets automatically.
[[File:Space_station_hub_gui.png|thumb|300px|The space platform's GUI. There is one station set for the [[solar system edge]]. ]]

When set to "automatic" mode, the platform will automatically fly to the designated planet. If attempting to travel to a planet that has no direct route to, the platform will fill in any gaps along the way. For example, attempting to fly from [[Vulcanus]] to [[Fulgora]] will have a platform automatically fly to [[Nauvis]] first.

There are 12 types of wait conditions, many of them unique to space platforms:
* '''All requests satisfied''': All requests from the current planet have been satisfied.
* '''Any request not satisfied''': At least one request from the current planet is not satisfied.
* '''Any request zero''': At least one request from the current planet is at zero on the platform.
* '''Circuit condition''': A condition is met from the [[circuit network]].
* '''Damage taken''': The platform has received a certain value of damage, defaulting to 1,000.
* '''Inactivity''': No items were received or dropped out of the hub for the specified amount of seconds.
* '''Item count''': The hub contains a specific amount of a certain item.
* '''Passenger not present''': No players are present on the platform.
* '''Passenger present''': At least one player is present on the platform.
* '''Request not satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is not satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Request satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Time passed'''

Additionally, platforms can make use of [[Railway#Schedule interrupts|schedule interrupts]], which behave exactly like trains. There is also an interrupt condition not present in the wait conditions list:
* '''Any planet import zero''': Any of a specific planet's imports are not satisfied.

The one exception to wait conditions is when traveling to the [[shattered planet]]. When this is selected, the wait condition becomes a "fly condition". Whatever condition is set will trigger while en-route to the shattered planet as if the platform was already stopped there. This is because the player is not intended to actually reach the shattered planet (though it is possible), and so the fly condition becomes a way to easily turn the platform around at a certain time.

The platform hub is able to be connected to the circuit network, with the following reactions:
* '''Read contents''': The hub will output its contents to the circuit network
* '''Send to platform''': Any signals on wires will be passed to the hub, allowing them to be used for wait conditions
* '''Read moving to''': The platform will output the planet at the end of the current space route with a value of 1.
* '''Read moving from''': The platform will output the planet at the beginning of the current space route with a value of 2.
** If both "moving from" and "moving to" are selected, a platform stopped at a planet will output the planet's signal with a value of 3.
* '''Read speed''': The platform will output its current velocity, defaulting to [[File:Signal-V.png|24px]]
** A speed signal will only show as 0 when stopped at a planet. If a platform is stopped between planets for whatever reason, it will slowly drift into orbit of the nearest planet, giving the signal a value of 10 or -10.
* '''Read damage taken''': The platform will output the amount of damage taken in the current trip, defaulting to [[File:Signal-D.png|24px]]

== Asteroids ==
{{main|asteroids}}

Space platforms regularly encounter [[asteroids]].

The smallest asteroids are called "chunks". Chunks can be collected by [[asteroid collector]]s and processed into various raw materials by [[crusher]]s. Among other uses, it is possible to convert these materials into [[thruster fuel]] and [[thruster oxidizer]].

Asteroids larger than chunks may also appear. However, they cannot be grabbed by asteroid collectors, and will damage the space platform upon impact. They can be targeted by turrets, and can be broken into multiple smaller asteroids by reducing their health to 0. This is done repeatedly until they become chunks.

During voyages, the number and relative velocity of asteroids increases proportionally to the platform's speed. It is therefore dangerous for a space platform to travel faster than it can destroy the asteroids that it will encounter. Different locations contain different amounts of each type of asteroid, and routes between locations may vary these numbers over the course of a journey. For example, only chunks will appear in stationary orbit around [[Nauvis]], thus providing a safe building environment free of larger asteroids that may damage the platform.

== Access to basic resources ==
* [[Water]] can be obtained from [[oxide asteroid chunk]]s via [[oxide asteroid crushing]] and [[ice melting]].
* [[Stone]] is not obtainable and must be brought up from planets.
* [[Iron ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Copper ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[advanced metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Coal]] can be obtained from [[carbonic asteroid chunk]]s via [[coal synthesis]] by using [[carbon]] and [[sulfur]] from [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Crude oil]] is not obtainable. However:
** [[Sulfur]] can be obtained via [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
** [[Heavy oil]] can be obtained via [[simple coal liquefaction]] using [[calcite]] obtained from [[advanced oxide asteroid crushing]].

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|reach-for-the-stars}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="300px" heights="200px">
space platform titlescreen.png|Space platform seen on the expansion's title screen.
</gallery>

== History ==
{{history|2.0.23|
* Added an error message when manually trying to launch a rocket to a full space platform.
* Changed space platforms to not delete items on the ground when deconstructing them.}}

{{history|2.0.14|
* Deletion of space platforms requires confirmation.}}

{{history|2.0.7|
* Introduced in [[Space Age]]{{SA}} expansion.
}}

{{SpaceNav}}

Space platform

2026-02-17T21:37:19Z

Gotube: /* Planetary schedules */ Fixed that "Any request zero" does not mean "Any one request satisfied".

{{Languages}}
{{About/Space age}}
[[File:Space platform.jpg|thumb|Space platform example provided by Wube in [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 Friday Facts #381 - Space Platforms]]]

'''Space platforms''' are factories that can be built in space. Each space platform is a self-contained factory supported by a [[space platform hub]].

== Purpose ==
Broadly speaking, there are three purposes which space platforms might serve:
* To craft recipes that can only be crafted in space, such as manufacturing [[space science pack]]s.
* To transport players and items between planets.
* To collect and process [[asteroids]].

== Creation and deletion ==
Space platforms are created by loading a [[space platform starter pack]] into a rocket and pressing the button to create a new space platform. Alternatively, players may order the creation of a space platform from the remote view through the list on the top-left corner of the screen, in which case the necessary space platform starter pack is treated as a request from a not-yet-existing space platform around the specified planet. Either way, players are then allowed to name their new space platform. Note that space platforms can later be renamed from the menus of their space platform hubs.

Platforms can be deleted. After confirming that the platform is to be deleted, the deleted platform goes into a queue, which is shown at the bottom of the platform list in the remote view. Should the player regret their decision, then this gives five minutes to decide if they want to undo the removal of the platform before it is permanently deleted.

If the platform hub is destroyed, the entire space platform and all of its contents are lost. If any [[player]] is aboard when this happens, the player will respawn at the last planet they were at before going to space.

== Construction ==
Unlike planetary surfaces, space platforms can only be edited by using the remote view. Therefore, players will order the construction of a space platform by placing ghosts. Instead of [[construction robot]]s being used for constructing the space platform, the platform itself will automatically construct ghost entities and move ghost items to and from the platform hub as soon as materials are available and these actions are not obstructed. If the necessary materials are not available, they will be automatically requested from the planet where the space platform is stationed, if the appropriate option is enabled in the platform's logistic requests section.

A newly-created space platform consists of a 10×10 square of [[space platform foundation]] with a [[space platform hub]] in its center, all surrounded by empty space. Unlike most buildings, the space platform hub cannot be removed, and its destruction directly results in the loss of the entire space platform.

As nothing can be built on empty space, the platform must first be expanded with more space platform foundation. The platform's foundation must consist of a single connected area with no detached islands, and holes of empty space surrounded by foundation are not allowed. Should these rules be broken, then the violating tiles will not be built or removed before the issue is resolved.

[[Asteroid collector]]s and [[thruster]]s can only be built on the edge of the platform. In particular, thrusters can only be built on the southern edge, and no foundation can be built within the rectangular area extending from the southern edge of the thruster for 82 tiles.

The entire platform surface functions as an [[electric system|electric network]], so space platforms do not need any power poles.

=== Placement restrictions ===
Some entities cannot be placed on space platforms:
* [[Chests]] can't be placed on platforms. The main storage structure is the platform hub.
* [[Robots]] and [[roboport]]s don't function in space, and no [[railway]] entities can be placed.
* [[Burner devices]] can't be placed on platforms. According to [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 FFF-381], this is to add "a bit of realism as there's no atmosphere in space".
* Space platforms have particular surface conditions, so buildings which have restrictions may not be placed on them. This is the same as for any other surface.

Electric poles can be built, but the global electric network covering the entire platform powers all devices. As such, electric poles are only useful as a way to [[circuit network|wire together]] distant entities.

=== Maximum platform size ===
The space platform can be as large as desired, however it may only extend up to 200 [[tile]]s north from the center of the [[space platform hub]].

== Transport between planets and space platforms ==

To transport players and items between a planet's surface and a space platform, the space platform must be stationed in orbit around the planet.

Items are delivered up to a platform by launching a [[rocket]] from a [[rocket silo]]. This can be done in one of three ways:
* Filling the rocket manually or by using inserters, then manually sending the rocket towards the space platform by using the rocket silo's menu. This method allows sending rockets with several different types of items inside the same rocket, but cannot be automated.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub, then filling a rocket with items of a type that is being requested, either manually or using by inserters. The rocket will then launch automatically. Only one type of item may be sent per rocket using this method.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub while having a rocket silo set to request items from the logistic network. This allows [[logistic robot]]s to fill the rocket automatically, and the rocket will launch automatically when full. Only one type of item will be sent per rocket.

The space platform hub will automatically request any items that are needed for construction of the platform. Automatic requests can receive items from any planet, whereas manual requests will only be fulfilled at one planet specified by the player. For manual requests, it is also possible to set a custom minimum payload per rocket instead of only accepting full rockets.

Items can be sent to a planet orbited by a space platform in one of two ways:
* Manually moving items into the platform hub's orbital drop slots.
* Assigning logistic requests to a planet's [[cargo landing pad]].

The items will then be carried to the planet's surface by [[cargo pod]]s. If the planet has a cargo landing pad, then the cargo pods will go there, placing their payloads directly inside the cargo landing pad's inventory (spilling the items if the cargo landing pad is already full). Otherwise, the cargo pod will land at a random location near the planet's spawn point. Landed cargo pods will wait for players to collect their payloads, and are automatically destroyed when emptied.

Unlike transfers from a planet's surface to a space platform, transfers from space platforms to planetary surfaces come at no material costs despite the appearance of a cargo pod.

== Passengers ==
Characters can travel to space platforms by riding a rocket, and can likewise leave the platform in a cargo pod.

One character traveling to a space platform takes up an entire rocket, and is not allowed to carry any items in their inventory, except for their equipped weapons and armor (but not ammunition). All other items must be transferred to the space platform hub in separate rockets.

Players aboard space platforms are locked inside the space platform hub, unable to move. The player is therefore locked into remote view until they drop their character to a planetary surface. Note that there is no way to access a player's inventory while in this state.

[[Biter egg]]s and [[pentapod egg]]s that spoil on the platform (either in the hub or on a belt) produce enemy entities like normal. These enemies do not suffocate, nor are they damaged by the environment. They will attack nearby structures as normal.

== Travel ==
Space platforms with one or more [[thruster]]s are able to perform voyages between different space locations, such as planets. The more thrusters that are installed on a platform, the faster the platform can get to its destination, but this also causes asteroids to appear faster and threaten the platform. When the thrusters are stopped while in mid-destination, the platform will slowly move toward the destination it's closer to via gravitational pull.

=== Weight ===
Platform weight depends on how many [[space platform foundation]] tiles the platform has. Each tile of [[space platform foundation]] weighs 200kg or 0.2 tons. The [[space platform hub]] itself weighs 20 tons. Notably, extra [[cargo bay]]s do not increase the platform's weight (aside from requiring [[space platform foundation]] under them).

=== Planetary schedules ===
Travel between planets can be automated, in a manner similar to using [[railway|trains]]. Clicking on the [[space platform hub]] will bring up its GUI. Individual planets can be added to the platform's schedule by clicking the "add station" button. A popup will appear with all currently unlocked space destinations. When one is selected, another button appears for selecting a wait condition from a drop-down list. Like trains, wait conditions are used to tell the platform when to leave the planet's orbit. If no wait condition is selected, the platform will continue to its next stop, if one exists. One can also select if the platform will unload cargo at a planet. If this option is deselected, platforms will not drop any items down to planets automatically.
[[File:Space_station_hub_gui.png|thumb|300px|The space platform's GUI. There is one station set for the [[solar system edge]]. ]]

When set to "automatic" mode, the platform will automatically fly to the designated planet. If attempting to travel to a planet that has no direct route to, the platform will fill in any gaps along the way. For example, attempting to fly from [[Vulcanus]] to [[Fulgora]] will have a platform automatically fly to [[Nauvis]] first.

There are 12 types of wait conditions, many of them unique to space platforms:
* '''All requests satisfied''': All requests from the current planet have been satisfied.
* '''Any request not satisfied''': At least one request from the current planet is not satisfied.
* '''Any request zero''': At least one request from the current planet is at zero on the planet.
* '''Circuit condition''': A condition is met from the [[circuit network]].
* '''Damage taken''': The platform has received a certain value of damage, defaulting to 1,000.
* '''Inactivity''': No items were received or dropped out of the hub for the specified amount of seconds.
* '''Item count''': The hub contains a specific amount of a certain item.
* '''Passenger not present''': No players are present on the platform.
* '''Passenger present''': At least one player is present on the platform.
* '''Request not satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is not satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Request satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Time passed'''

Additionally, platforms can make use of [[Railway#Schedule interrupts|schedule interrupts]], which behave exactly like trains. There is also an interrupt condition not present in the wait conditions list:
* '''Any planet import zero''': Any of a specific planet's imports are not satisfied.

The one exception to wait conditions is when traveling to the [[shattered planet]]. When this is selected, the wait condition becomes a "fly condition". Whatever condition is set will trigger while en-route to the shattered planet as if the platform was already stopped there. This is because the player is not intended to actually reach the shattered planet (though it is possible), and so the fly condition becomes a way to easily turn the platform around at a certain time.

The platform hub is able to be connected to the circuit network, with the following reactions:
* '''Read contents''': The hub will output its contents to the circuit network
* '''Send to platform''': Any signals on wires will be passed to the hub, allowing them to be used for wait conditions
* '''Read moving to''': The platform will output the planet at the end of the current space route with a value of 1.
* '''Read moving from''': The platform will output the planet at the beginning of the current space route with a value of 2.
** If both "moving from" and "moving to" are selected, a platform stopped at a planet will output the planet's signal with a value of 3.
* '''Read speed''': The platform will output its current velocity, defaulting to [[File:Signal-V.png|24px]]
** A speed signal will only show as 0 when stopped at a planet. If a platform is stopped between planets for whatever reason, it will slowly drift into orbit of the nearest planet, giving the signal a value of 10 or -10.
* '''Read damage taken''': The platform will output the amount of damage taken in the current trip, defaulting to [[File:Signal-D.png|24px]]

== Asteroids ==
{{main|asteroids}}

Space platforms regularly encounter [[asteroids]].

The smallest asteroids are called "chunks". Chunks can be collected by [[asteroid collector]]s and processed into various raw materials by [[crusher]]s. Among other uses, it is possible to convert these materials into [[thruster fuel]] and [[thruster oxidizer]].

Asteroids larger than chunks may also appear. However, they cannot be grabbed by asteroid collectors, and will damage the space platform upon impact. They can be targeted by turrets, and can be broken into multiple smaller asteroids by reducing their health to 0. This is done repeatedly until they become chunks.

During voyages, the number and relative velocity of asteroids increases proportionally to the platform's speed. It is therefore dangerous for a space platform to travel faster than it can destroy the asteroids that it will encounter. Different locations contain different amounts of each type of asteroid, and routes between locations may vary these numbers over the course of a journey. For example, only chunks will appear in stationary orbit around [[Nauvis]], thus providing a safe building environment free of larger asteroids that may damage the platform.

== Access to basic resources ==
* [[Water]] can be obtained from [[oxide asteroid chunk]]s via [[oxide asteroid crushing]] and [[ice melting]].
* [[Stone]] is not obtainable and must be brought up from planets.
* [[Iron ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Copper ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[advanced metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Coal]] can be obtained from [[carbonic asteroid chunk]]s via [[coal synthesis]] by using [[carbon]] and [[sulfur]] from [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Crude oil]] is not obtainable. However:
** [[Sulfur]] can be obtained via [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
** [[Heavy oil]] can be obtained via [[simple coal liquefaction]] using [[calcite]] obtained from [[advanced oxide asteroid crushing]].

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|reach-for-the-stars}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="300px" heights="200px">
space platform titlescreen.png|Space platform seen on the expansion's title screen.
</gallery>

== History ==
{{history|2.0.23|
* Added an error message when manually trying to launch a rocket to a full space platform.
* Changed space platforms to not delete items on the ground when deconstructing them.}}

{{history|2.0.14|
* Deletion of space platforms requires confirmation.}}

{{history|2.0.7|
* Introduced in [[Space Age]]{{SA}} expansion.
}}

{{SpaceNav}}

Space platform

2026-02-17T21:36:02Z

Gotube: /* Planetary schedules */ Removed redundant "or one of the platform's built-in control signals", as those signals are included in the circuit network.

{{Languages}}
{{About/Space age}}
[[File:Space platform.jpg|thumb|Space platform example provided by Wube in [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 Friday Facts #381 - Space Platforms]]]

'''Space platforms''' are factories that can be built in space. Each space platform is a self-contained factory supported by a [[space platform hub]].

== Purpose ==
Broadly speaking, there are three purposes which space platforms might serve:
* To craft recipes that can only be crafted in space, such as manufacturing [[space science pack]]s.
* To transport players and items between planets.
* To collect and process [[asteroids]].

== Creation and deletion ==
Space platforms are created by loading a [[space platform starter pack]] into a rocket and pressing the button to create a new space platform. Alternatively, players may order the creation of a space platform from the remote view through the list on the top-left corner of the screen, in which case the necessary space platform starter pack is treated as a request from a not-yet-existing space platform around the specified planet. Either way, players are then allowed to name their new space platform. Note that space platforms can later be renamed from the menus of their space platform hubs.

Platforms can be deleted. After confirming that the platform is to be deleted, the deleted platform goes into a queue, which is shown at the bottom of the platform list in the remote view. Should the player regret their decision, then this gives five minutes to decide if they want to undo the removal of the platform before it is permanently deleted.

If the platform hub is destroyed, the entire space platform and all of its contents are lost. If any [[player]] is aboard when this happens, the player will respawn at the last planet they were at before going to space.

== Construction ==
Unlike planetary surfaces, space platforms can only be edited by using the remote view. Therefore, players will order the construction of a space platform by placing ghosts. Instead of [[construction robot]]s being used for constructing the space platform, the platform itself will automatically construct ghost entities and move ghost items to and from the platform hub as soon as materials are available and these actions are not obstructed. If the necessary materials are not available, they will be automatically requested from the planet where the space platform is stationed, if the appropriate option is enabled in the platform's logistic requests section.

A newly-created space platform consists of a 10×10 square of [[space platform foundation]] with a [[space platform hub]] in its center, all surrounded by empty space. Unlike most buildings, the space platform hub cannot be removed, and its destruction directly results in the loss of the entire space platform.

As nothing can be built on empty space, the platform must first be expanded with more space platform foundation. The platform's foundation must consist of a single connected area with no detached islands, and holes of empty space surrounded by foundation are not allowed. Should these rules be broken, then the violating tiles will not be built or removed before the issue is resolved.

[[Asteroid collector]]s and [[thruster]]s can only be built on the edge of the platform. In particular, thrusters can only be built on the southern edge, and no foundation can be built within the rectangular area extending from the southern edge of the thruster for 82 tiles.

The entire platform surface functions as an [[electric system|electric network]], so space platforms do not need any power poles.

=== Placement restrictions ===
Some entities cannot be placed on space platforms:
* [[Chests]] can't be placed on platforms. The main storage structure is the platform hub.
* [[Robots]] and [[roboport]]s don't function in space, and no [[railway]] entities can be placed.
* [[Burner devices]] can't be placed on platforms. According to [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 FFF-381], this is to add "a bit of realism as there's no atmosphere in space".
* Space platforms have particular surface conditions, so buildings which have restrictions may not be placed on them. This is the same as for any other surface.

Electric poles can be built, but the global electric network covering the entire platform powers all devices. As such, electric poles are only useful as a way to [[circuit network|wire together]] distant entities.

=== Maximum platform size ===
The space platform can be as large as desired, however it may only extend up to 200 [[tile]]s north from the center of the [[space platform hub]].

== Transport between planets and space platforms ==

To transport players and items between a planet's surface and a space platform, the space platform must be stationed in orbit around the planet.

Items are delivered up to a platform by launching a [[rocket]] from a [[rocket silo]]. This can be done in one of three ways:
* Filling the rocket manually or by using inserters, then manually sending the rocket towards the space platform by using the rocket silo's menu. This method allows sending rockets with several different types of items inside the same rocket, but cannot be automated.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub, then filling a rocket with items of a type that is being requested, either manually or using by inserters. The rocket will then launch automatically. Only one type of item may be sent per rocket using this method.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub while having a rocket silo set to request items from the logistic network. This allows [[logistic robot]]s to fill the rocket automatically, and the rocket will launch automatically when full. Only one type of item will be sent per rocket.

The space platform hub will automatically request any items that are needed for construction of the platform. Automatic requests can receive items from any planet, whereas manual requests will only be fulfilled at one planet specified by the player. For manual requests, it is also possible to set a custom minimum payload per rocket instead of only accepting full rockets.

Items can be sent to a planet orbited by a space platform in one of two ways:
* Manually moving items into the platform hub's orbital drop slots.
* Assigning logistic requests to a planet's [[cargo landing pad]].

The items will then be carried to the planet's surface by [[cargo pod]]s. If the planet has a cargo landing pad, then the cargo pods will go there, placing their payloads directly inside the cargo landing pad's inventory (spilling the items if the cargo landing pad is already full). Otherwise, the cargo pod will land at a random location near the planet's spawn point. Landed cargo pods will wait for players to collect their payloads, and are automatically destroyed when emptied.

Unlike transfers from a planet's surface to a space platform, transfers from space platforms to planetary surfaces come at no material costs despite the appearance of a cargo pod.

== Passengers ==
Characters can travel to space platforms by riding a rocket, and can likewise leave the platform in a cargo pod.

One character traveling to a space platform takes up an entire rocket, and is not allowed to carry any items in their inventory, except for their equipped weapons and armor (but not ammunition). All other items must be transferred to the space platform hub in separate rockets.

Players aboard space platforms are locked inside the space platform hub, unable to move. The player is therefore locked into remote view until they drop their character to a planetary surface. Note that there is no way to access a player's inventory while in this state.

[[Biter egg]]s and [[pentapod egg]]s that spoil on the platform (either in the hub or on a belt) produce enemy entities like normal. These enemies do not suffocate, nor are they damaged by the environment. They will attack nearby structures as normal.

== Travel ==
Space platforms with one or more [[thruster]]s are able to perform voyages between different space locations, such as planets. The more thrusters that are installed on a platform, the faster the platform can get to its destination, but this also causes asteroids to appear faster and threaten the platform. When the thrusters are stopped while in mid-destination, the platform will slowly move toward the destination it's closer to via gravitational pull.

=== Weight ===
Platform weight depends on how many [[space platform foundation]] tiles the platform has. Each tile of [[space platform foundation]] weighs 200kg or 0.2 tons. The [[space platform hub]] itself weighs 20 tons. Notably, extra [[cargo bay]]s do not increase the platform's weight (aside from requiring [[space platform foundation]] under them).

=== Planetary schedules ===
Travel between planets can be automated, in a manner similar to using [[railway|trains]]. Clicking on the [[space platform hub]] will bring up its GUI. Individual planets can be added to the platform's schedule by clicking the "add station" button. A popup will appear with all currently unlocked space destinations. When one is selected, another button appears for selecting a wait condition from a drop-down list. Like trains, wait conditions are used to tell the platform when to leave the planet's orbit. If no wait condition is selected, the platform will continue to its next stop, if one exists. One can also select if the platform will unload cargo at a planet. If this option is deselected, platforms will not drop any items down to planets automatically.
[[File:Space_station_hub_gui.png|thumb|300px|The space platform's GUI. There is one station set for the [[solar system edge]]. ]]

When set to "automatic" mode, the platform will automatically fly to the designated planet. If attempting to travel to a planet that has no direct route to, the platform will fill in any gaps along the way. For example, attempting to fly from [[Vulcanus]] to [[Fulgora]] will have a platform automatically fly to [[Nauvis]] first.

There are 12 types of wait conditions, many of them unique to space platforms:
* '''All requests satisfied''': All requests from the current planet have been satisfied.
* '''Any request not satisfied''': At least one request from the current planet is not satisfied.
* '''Any request zero''': At least one request from the current planet is satisfied.
* '''Circuit condition''': A condition is met from the [[circuit network]].
* '''Damage taken''': The platform has received a certain value of damage, defaulting to 1,000.
* '''Inactivity''': No items were received or dropped out of the hub for the specified amount of seconds.
* '''Item count''': The hub contains a specific amount of a certain item.
* '''Passenger not present''': No players are present on the platform.
* '''Passenger present''': At least one player is present on the platform.
* '''Request not satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is not satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Request satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Time passed'''

Additionally, platforms can make use of [[Railway#Schedule interrupts|schedule interrupts]], which behave exactly like trains. There is also an interrupt condition not present in the wait conditions list:
* '''Any planet import zero''': Any of a specific planet's imports are not satisfied.

The one exception to wait conditions is when traveling to the [[shattered planet]]. When this is selected, the wait condition becomes a "fly condition". Whatever condition is set will trigger while en-route to the shattered planet as if the platform was already stopped there. This is because the player is not intended to actually reach the shattered planet (though it is possible), and so the fly condition becomes a way to easily turn the platform around at a certain time.

The platform hub is able to be connected to the circuit network, with the following reactions:
* '''Read contents''': The hub will output its contents to the circuit network
* '''Send to platform''': Any signals on wires will be passed to the hub, allowing them to be used for wait conditions
* '''Read moving to''': The platform will output the planet at the end of the current space route with a value of 1.
* '''Read moving from''': The platform will output the planet at the beginning of the current space route with a value of 2.
** If both "moving from" and "moving to" are selected, a platform stopped at a planet will output the planet's signal with a value of 3.
* '''Read speed''': The platform will output its current velocity, defaulting to [[File:Signal-V.png|24px]]
** A speed signal will only show as 0 when stopped at a planet. If a platform is stopped between planets for whatever reason, it will slowly drift into orbit of the nearest planet, giving the signal a value of 10 or -10.
* '''Read damage taken''': The platform will output the amount of damage taken in the current trip, defaulting to [[File:Signal-D.png|24px]]

== Asteroids ==
{{main|asteroids}}

Space platforms regularly encounter [[asteroids]].

The smallest asteroids are called "chunks". Chunks can be collected by [[asteroid collector]]s and processed into various raw materials by [[crusher]]s. Among other uses, it is possible to convert these materials into [[thruster fuel]] and [[thruster oxidizer]].

Asteroids larger than chunks may also appear. However, they cannot be grabbed by asteroid collectors, and will damage the space platform upon impact. They can be targeted by turrets, and can be broken into multiple smaller asteroids by reducing their health to 0. This is done repeatedly until they become chunks.

During voyages, the number and relative velocity of asteroids increases proportionally to the platform's speed. It is therefore dangerous for a space platform to travel faster than it can destroy the asteroids that it will encounter. Different locations contain different amounts of each type of asteroid, and routes between locations may vary these numbers over the course of a journey. For example, only chunks will appear in stationary orbit around [[Nauvis]], thus providing a safe building environment free of larger asteroids that may damage the platform.

== Access to basic resources ==
* [[Water]] can be obtained from [[oxide asteroid chunk]]s via [[oxide asteroid crushing]] and [[ice melting]].
* [[Stone]] is not obtainable and must be brought up from planets.
* [[Iron ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Copper ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[advanced metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Coal]] can be obtained from [[carbonic asteroid chunk]]s via [[coal synthesis]] by using [[carbon]] and [[sulfur]] from [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Crude oil]] is not obtainable. However:
** [[Sulfur]] can be obtained via [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
** [[Heavy oil]] can be obtained via [[simple coal liquefaction]] using [[calcite]] obtained from [[advanced oxide asteroid crushing]].

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|reach-for-the-stars}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="300px" heights="200px">
space platform titlescreen.png|Space platform seen on the expansion's title screen.
</gallery>

== History ==
{{history|2.0.23|
* Added an error message when manually trying to launch a rocket to a full space platform.
* Changed space platforms to not delete items on the ground when deconstructing them.}}

{{history|2.0.14|
* Deletion of space platforms requires confirmation.}}

{{history|2.0.7|
* Introduced in [[Space Age]]{{SA}} expansion.
}}

{{SpaceNav}}

Space platform

2026-02-17T21:01:40Z

Gotube: /* Planetary schedules */ hyphenation

{{Languages}}
{{About/Space age}}
[[File:Space platform.jpg|thumb|Space platform example provided by Wube in [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 Friday Facts #381 - Space Platforms]]]

'''Space platforms''' are factories that can be built in space. Each space platform is a self-contained factory supported by a [[space platform hub]].

== Purpose ==
Broadly speaking, there are three purposes which space platforms might serve:
* To craft recipes that can only be crafted in space, such as manufacturing [[space science pack]]s.
* To transport players and items between planets.
* To collect and process [[asteroids]].

== Creation and deletion ==
Space platforms are created by loading a [[space platform starter pack]] into a rocket and pressing the button to create a new space platform. Alternatively, players may order the creation of a space platform from the remote view through the list on the top-left corner of the screen, in which case the necessary space platform starter pack is treated as a request from a not-yet-existing space platform around the specified planet. Either way, players are then allowed to name their new space platform. Note that space platforms can later be renamed from the menus of their space platform hubs.

Platforms can be deleted. After confirming that the platform is to be deleted, the deleted platform goes into a queue, which is shown at the bottom of the platform list in the remote view. Should the player regret their decision, then this gives five minutes to decide if they want to undo the removal of the platform before it is permanently deleted.

If the platform hub is destroyed, the entire space platform and all of its contents are lost. If any [[player]] is aboard when this happens, the player will respawn at the last planet they were at before going to space.

== Construction ==
Unlike planetary surfaces, space platforms can only be edited by using the remote view. Therefore, players will order the construction of a space platform by placing ghosts. Instead of [[construction robot]]s being used for constructing the space platform, the platform itself will automatically construct ghost entities and move ghost items to and from the platform hub as soon as materials are available and these actions are not obstructed. If the necessary materials are not available, they will be automatically requested from the planet where the space platform is stationed, if the appropriate option is enabled in the platform's logistic requests section.

A newly-created space platform consists of a 10×10 square of [[space platform foundation]] with a [[space platform hub]] in its center, all surrounded by empty space. Unlike most buildings, the space platform hub cannot be removed, and its destruction directly results in the loss of the entire space platform.

As nothing can be built on empty space, the platform must first be expanded with more space platform foundation. The platform's foundation must consist of a single connected area with no detached islands, and holes of empty space surrounded by foundation are not allowed. Should these rules be broken, then the violating tiles will not be built or removed before the issue is resolved.

[[Asteroid collector]]s and [[thruster]]s can only be built on the edge of the platform. In particular, thrusters can only be built on the southern edge, and no foundation can be built within the rectangular area extending from the southern edge of the thruster for 82 tiles.

The entire platform surface functions as an [[electric system|electric network]], so space platforms do not need any power poles.

=== Placement restrictions ===
Some entities cannot be placed on space platforms:
* [[Chests]] can't be placed on platforms. The main storage structure is the platform hub.
* [[Robots]] and [[roboport]]s don't function in space, and no [[railway]] entities can be placed.
* [[Burner devices]] can't be placed on platforms. According to [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 FFF-381], this is to add "a bit of realism as there's no atmosphere in space".
* Space platforms have particular surface conditions, so buildings which have restrictions may not be placed on them. This is the same as for any other surface.

Electric poles can be built, but the global electric network covering the entire platform powers all devices. As such, electric poles are only useful as a way to [[circuit network|wire together]] distant entities.

=== Maximum platform size ===
The space platform can be as large as desired, however it may only extend up to 200 [[tile]]s north from the center of the [[space platform hub]].

== Transport between planets and space platforms ==

To transport players and items between a planet's surface and a space platform, the space platform must be stationed in orbit around the planet.

Items are delivered up to a platform by launching a [[rocket]] from a [[rocket silo]]. This can be done in one of three ways:
* Filling the rocket manually or by using inserters, then manually sending the rocket towards the space platform by using the rocket silo's menu. This method allows sending rockets with several different types of items inside the same rocket, but cannot be automated.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub, then filling a rocket with items of a type that is being requested, either manually or using by inserters. The rocket will then launch automatically. Only one type of item may be sent per rocket using this method.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub while having a rocket silo set to request items from the logistic network. This allows [[logistic robot]]s to fill the rocket automatically, and the rocket will launch automatically when full. Only one type of item will be sent per rocket.

The space platform hub will automatically request any items that are needed for construction of the platform. Automatic requests can receive items from any planet, whereas manual requests will only be fulfilled at one planet specified by the player. For manual requests, it is also possible to set a custom minimum payload per rocket instead of only accepting full rockets.

Items can be sent to a planet orbited by a space platform in one of two ways:
* Manually moving items into the platform hub's orbital drop slots.
* Assigning logistic requests to a planet's [[cargo landing pad]].

The items will then be carried to the planet's surface by [[cargo pod]]s. If the planet has a cargo landing pad, then the cargo pods will go there, placing their payloads directly inside the cargo landing pad's inventory (spilling the items if the cargo landing pad is already full). Otherwise, the cargo pod will land at a random location near the planet's spawn point. Landed cargo pods will wait for players to collect their payloads, and are automatically destroyed when emptied.

Unlike transfers from a planet's surface to a space platform, transfers from space platforms to planetary surfaces come at no material costs despite the appearance of a cargo pod.

== Passengers ==
Characters can travel to space platforms by riding a rocket, and can likewise leave the platform in a cargo pod.

One character traveling to a space platform takes up an entire rocket, and is not allowed to carry any items in their inventory, except for their equipped weapons and armor (but not ammunition). All other items must be transferred to the space platform hub in separate rockets.

Players aboard space platforms are locked inside the space platform hub, unable to move. The player is therefore locked into remote view until they drop their character to a planetary surface. Note that there is no way to access a player's inventory while in this state.

[[Biter egg]]s and [[pentapod egg]]s that spoil on the platform (either in the hub or on a belt) produce enemy entities like normal. These enemies do not suffocate, nor are they damaged by the environment. They will attack nearby structures as normal.

== Travel ==
Space platforms with one or more [[thruster]]s are able to perform voyages between different space locations, such as planets. The more thrusters that are installed on a platform, the faster the platform can get to its destination, but this also causes asteroids to appear faster and threaten the platform. When the thrusters are stopped while in mid-destination, the platform will slowly move toward the destination it's closer to via gravitational pull.

=== Weight ===
Platform weight depends on how many [[space platform foundation]] tiles the platform has. Each tile of [[space platform foundation]] weighs 200kg or 0.2 tons. The [[space platform hub]] itself weighs 20 tons. Notably, extra [[cargo bay]]s do not increase the platform's weight (aside from requiring [[space platform foundation]] under them).

=== Planetary schedules ===
Travel between planets can be automated, in a manner similar to using [[railway|trains]]. Clicking on the [[space platform hub]] will bring up its GUI. Individual planets can be added to the platform's schedule by clicking the "add station" button. A popup will appear with all currently unlocked space destinations. When one is selected, another button appears for selecting a wait condition from a drop-down list. Like trains, wait conditions are used to tell the platform when to leave the planet's orbit. If no wait condition is selected, the platform will continue to its next stop, if one exists. One can also select if the platform will unload cargo at a planet. If this option is deselected, platforms will not drop any items down to planets automatically.
[[File:Space_station_hub_gui.png|thumb|300px|The space platform's GUI. There is one station set for the [[solar system edge]]. ]]

When set to "automatic" mode, the platform will automatically fly to the designated planet. If attempting to travel to a planet that has no direct route to, the platform will fill in any gaps along the way. For example, attempting to fly from [[Vulcanus]] to [[Fulgora]] will have a platform automatically fly to [[Nauvis]] first.

There are 12 types of wait conditions, many of them unique to space platforms:
* '''All requests satisfied''': All requests from the current planet have been satisfied.
* '''Any request not satisfied''': At least one request from the current planet is not satisfied.
* '''Any request zero''': At least one request from the current planet is satisfied.
* '''Circuit condition''': A condition is met from the [[circuit network]], or one of the platform's built-in control signals.
* '''Damage taken''': The platform has received a certain value of damage, defaulting to 1,000.
* '''Inactivity''': No items were received or dropped out of the hub for the specified amount of seconds.
* '''Item count''': The hub contains a specific amount of a certain item.
* '''Passenger not present''': No players are present on the platform.
* '''Passenger present''': At least one player is present on the platform.
* '''Request not satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is not satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Request satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Time passed'''

Additionally, platforms can make use of [[Railway#Schedule interrupts|schedule interrupts]], which behave exactly like trains. There is also an interrupt condition not present in the wait conditions list:
* '''Any planet import zero''': Any of a specific planet's imports are not satisfied.

The one exception to wait conditions is when traveling to the [[shattered planet]]. When this is selected, the wait condition becomes a "fly condition". Whatever condition is set will trigger while en-route to the shattered planet as if the platform was already stopped there. This is because the player is not intended to actually reach the shattered planet (though it is possible), and so the fly condition becomes a way to easily turn the platform around at a certain time.

The platform hub is able to be connected to the circuit network, with the following reactions:
* '''Read contents''': The hub will output its contents to the circuit network
* '''Send to platform''': Any signals on wires will be passed to the hub, allowing them to be used for wait conditions
* '''Read moving to''': The platform will output the planet at the end of the current space route with a value of 1.
* '''Read moving from''': The platform will output the planet at the beginning of the current space route with a value of 2.
** If both "moving from" and "moving to" are selected, a platform stopped at a planet will output the planet's signal with a value of 3.
* '''Read speed''': The platform will output its current velocity, defaulting to [[File:Signal-V.png|24px]]
** A speed signal will only show as 0 when stopped at a planet. If a platform is stopped between planets for whatever reason, it will slowly drift into orbit of the nearest planet, giving the signal a value of 10 or -10.
* '''Read damage taken''': The platform will output the amount of damage taken in the current trip, defaulting to [[File:Signal-D.png|24px]]

== Asteroids ==
{{main|asteroids}}

Space platforms regularly encounter [[asteroids]].

The smallest asteroids are called "chunks". Chunks can be collected by [[asteroid collector]]s and processed into various raw materials by [[crusher]]s. Among other uses, it is possible to convert these materials into [[thruster fuel]] and [[thruster oxidizer]].

Asteroids larger than chunks may also appear. However, they cannot be grabbed by asteroid collectors, and will damage the space platform upon impact. They can be targeted by turrets, and can be broken into multiple smaller asteroids by reducing their health to 0. This is done repeatedly until they become chunks.

During voyages, the number and relative velocity of asteroids increases proportionally to the platform's speed. It is therefore dangerous for a space platform to travel faster than it can destroy the asteroids that it will encounter. Different locations contain different amounts of each type of asteroid, and routes between locations may vary these numbers over the course of a journey. For example, only chunks will appear in stationary orbit around [[Nauvis]], thus providing a safe building environment free of larger asteroids that may damage the platform.

== Access to basic resources ==
* [[Water]] can be obtained from [[oxide asteroid chunk]]s via [[oxide asteroid crushing]] and [[ice melting]].
* [[Stone]] is not obtainable and must be brought up from planets.
* [[Iron ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Copper ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[advanced metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Coal]] can be obtained from [[carbonic asteroid chunk]]s via [[coal synthesis]] by using [[carbon]] and [[sulfur]] from [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Crude oil]] is not obtainable. However:
** [[Sulfur]] can be obtained via [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
** [[Heavy oil]] can be obtained via [[simple coal liquefaction]] using [[calcite]] obtained from [[advanced oxide asteroid crushing]].

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|reach-for-the-stars}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="300px" heights="200px">
space platform titlescreen.png|Space platform seen on the expansion's title screen.
</gallery>

== History ==
{{history|2.0.23|
* Added an error message when manually trying to launch a rocket to a full space platform.
* Changed space platforms to not delete items on the ground when deconstructing them.}}

{{history|2.0.14|
* Deletion of space platforms requires confirmation.}}

{{history|2.0.7|
* Introduced in [[Space Age]]{{SA}} expansion.
}}

{{SpaceNav}}

Space platform

2026-02-17T21:01:19Z

Gotube: /* Planetary schedules */ Replaced "request for a planet" with clearer "request from a planet".

{{Languages}}
{{About/Space age}}
[[File:Space platform.jpg|thumb|Space platform example provided by Wube in [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 Friday Facts #381 - Space Platforms]]]

'''Space platforms''' are factories that can be built in space. Each space platform is a self-contained factory supported by a [[space platform hub]].

== Purpose ==
Broadly speaking, there are three purposes which space platforms might serve:
* To craft recipes that can only be crafted in space, such as manufacturing [[space science pack]]s.
* To transport players and items between planets.
* To collect and process [[asteroids]].

== Creation and deletion ==
Space platforms are created by loading a [[space platform starter pack]] into a rocket and pressing the button to create a new space platform. Alternatively, players may order the creation of a space platform from the remote view through the list on the top-left corner of the screen, in which case the necessary space platform starter pack is treated as a request from a not-yet-existing space platform around the specified planet. Either way, players are then allowed to name their new space platform. Note that space platforms can later be renamed from the menus of their space platform hubs.

Platforms can be deleted. After confirming that the platform is to be deleted, the deleted platform goes into a queue, which is shown at the bottom of the platform list in the remote view. Should the player regret their decision, then this gives five minutes to decide if they want to undo the removal of the platform before it is permanently deleted.

If the platform hub is destroyed, the entire space platform and all of its contents are lost. If any [[player]] is aboard when this happens, the player will respawn at the last planet they were at before going to space.

== Construction ==
Unlike planetary surfaces, space platforms can only be edited by using the remote view. Therefore, players will order the construction of a space platform by placing ghosts. Instead of [[construction robot]]s being used for constructing the space platform, the platform itself will automatically construct ghost entities and move ghost items to and from the platform hub as soon as materials are available and these actions are not obstructed. If the necessary materials are not available, they will be automatically requested from the planet where the space platform is stationed, if the appropriate option is enabled in the platform's logistic requests section.

A newly-created space platform consists of a 10×10 square of [[space platform foundation]] with a [[space platform hub]] in its center, all surrounded by empty space. Unlike most buildings, the space platform hub cannot be removed, and its destruction directly results in the loss of the entire space platform.

As nothing can be built on empty space, the platform must first be expanded with more space platform foundation. The platform's foundation must consist of a single connected area with no detached islands, and holes of empty space surrounded by foundation are not allowed. Should these rules be broken, then the violating tiles will not be built or removed before the issue is resolved.

[[Asteroid collector]]s and [[thruster]]s can only be built on the edge of the platform. In particular, thrusters can only be built on the southern edge, and no foundation can be built within the rectangular area extending from the southern edge of the thruster for 82 tiles.

The entire platform surface functions as an [[electric system|electric network]], so space platforms do not need any power poles.

=== Placement restrictions ===
Some entities cannot be placed on space platforms:
* [[Chests]] can't be placed on platforms. The main storage structure is the platform hub.
* [[Robots]] and [[roboport]]s don't function in space, and no [[railway]] entities can be placed.
* [[Burner devices]] can't be placed on platforms. According to [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 FFF-381], this is to add "a bit of realism as there's no atmosphere in space".
* Space platforms have particular surface conditions, so buildings which have restrictions may not be placed on them. This is the same as for any other surface.

Electric poles can be built, but the global electric network covering the entire platform powers all devices. As such, electric poles are only useful as a way to [[circuit network|wire together]] distant entities.

=== Maximum platform size ===
The space platform can be as large as desired, however it may only extend up to 200 [[tile]]s north from the center of the [[space platform hub]].

== Transport between planets and space platforms ==

To transport players and items between a planet's surface and a space platform, the space platform must be stationed in orbit around the planet.

Items are delivered up to a platform by launching a [[rocket]] from a [[rocket silo]]. This can be done in one of three ways:
* Filling the rocket manually or by using inserters, then manually sending the rocket towards the space platform by using the rocket silo's menu. This method allows sending rockets with several different types of items inside the same rocket, but cannot be automated.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub, then filling a rocket with items of a type that is being requested, either manually or using by inserters. The rocket will then launch automatically. Only one type of item may be sent per rocket using this method.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub while having a rocket silo set to request items from the logistic network. This allows [[logistic robot]]s to fill the rocket automatically, and the rocket will launch automatically when full. Only one type of item will be sent per rocket.

The space platform hub will automatically request any items that are needed for construction of the platform. Automatic requests can receive items from any planet, whereas manual requests will only be fulfilled at one planet specified by the player. For manual requests, it is also possible to set a custom minimum payload per rocket instead of only accepting full rockets.

Items can be sent to a planet orbited by a space platform in one of two ways:
* Manually moving items into the platform hub's orbital drop slots.
* Assigning logistic requests to a planet's [[cargo landing pad]].

The items will then be carried to the planet's surface by [[cargo pod]]s. If the planet has a cargo landing pad, then the cargo pods will go there, placing their payloads directly inside the cargo landing pad's inventory (spilling the items if the cargo landing pad is already full). Otherwise, the cargo pod will land at a random location near the planet's spawn point. Landed cargo pods will wait for players to collect their payloads, and are automatically destroyed when emptied.

Unlike transfers from a planet's surface to a space platform, transfers from space platforms to planetary surfaces come at no material costs despite the appearance of a cargo pod.

== Passengers ==
Characters can travel to space platforms by riding a rocket, and can likewise leave the platform in a cargo pod.

One character traveling to a space platform takes up an entire rocket, and is not allowed to carry any items in their inventory, except for their equipped weapons and armor (but not ammunition). All other items must be transferred to the space platform hub in separate rockets.

Players aboard space platforms are locked inside the space platform hub, unable to move. The player is therefore locked into remote view until they drop their character to a planetary surface. Note that there is no way to access a player's inventory while in this state.

[[Biter egg]]s and [[pentapod egg]]s that spoil on the platform (either in the hub or on a belt) produce enemy entities like normal. These enemies do not suffocate, nor are they damaged by the environment. They will attack nearby structures as normal.

== Travel ==
Space platforms with one or more [[thruster]]s are able to perform voyages between different space locations, such as planets. The more thrusters that are installed on a platform, the faster the platform can get to its destination, but this also causes asteroids to appear faster and threaten the platform. When the thrusters are stopped while in mid-destination, the platform will slowly move toward the destination it's closer to via gravitational pull.

=== Weight ===
Platform weight depends on how many [[space platform foundation]] tiles the platform has. Each tile of [[space platform foundation]] weighs 200kg or 0.2 tons. The [[space platform hub]] itself weighs 20 tons. Notably, extra [[cargo bay]]s do not increase the platform's weight (aside from requiring [[space platform foundation]] under them).

=== Planetary schedules ===
Travel between planets can be automated, in a manner similar to using [[railway|trains]]. Clicking on the [[space platform hub]] will bring up its GUI. Individual planets can be added to the platform's schedule by clicking the "add station" button. A popup will appear with all currently unlocked space destinations. When one is selected, another button appears for selecting a wait condition from a drop-down list. Like trains, wait conditions are used to tell the platform when to leave the planet's orbit. If no wait condition is selected, the platform will continue to its next stop, if one exists. One can also select if the platform will unload cargo at a planet. If this option is deselected, platforms will not drop any items down to planets automatically.
[[File:Space_station_hub_gui.png|thumb|300px|The space platform's GUI. There is one station set for the [[solar system edge]]. ]]

When set to "automatic" mode, the platform will automatically fly to the designated planet. If attempting to travel to a planet that has no direct route to, the platform will fill in any gaps along the way. For example, attempting to fly from [[Vulcanus]] to [[Fulgora]] will have a platform automatically fly to [[Nauvis]] first.

There are 12 types of wait conditions, many of them unique to space platforms:
* '''All requests satisfied''': All requests from the current planet have been satisfied.
* '''Any request not satisfied''': At least one request from the current planet is not satisfied.
* '''Any request zero''': At least one request from the current planet is satisfied.
* '''Circuit condition''': A condition is met from the [[circuit network]], or one of the platform's built in control signals.
* '''Damage taken''': The platform has received a certain value of damage, defaulting to 1,000.
* '''Inactivity''': No items were received or dropped out of the hub for the specified amount of seconds.
* '''Item count''': The hub contains a specific amount of a certain item.
* '''Passenger not present''': No players are present on the platform.
* '''Passenger present''': At least one player is present on the platform.
* '''Request not satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is not satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Request satisfied''': A specific request from any planet is satisfied. Items not requested cannot be set.
* '''Time passed'''

Additionally, platforms can make use of [[Railway#Schedule interrupts|schedule interrupts]], which behave exactly like trains. There is also an interrupt condition not present in the wait conditions list:
* '''Any planet import zero''': Any of a specific planet's imports are not satisfied.

The one exception to wait conditions is when traveling to the [[shattered planet]]. When this is selected, the wait condition becomes a "fly condition". Whatever condition is set will trigger while en-route to the shattered planet as if the platform was already stopped there. This is because the player is not intended to actually reach the shattered planet (though it is possible), and so the fly condition becomes a way to easily turn the platform around at a certain time.

The platform hub is able to be connected to the circuit network, with the following reactions:
* '''Read contents''': The hub will output its contents to the circuit network
* '''Send to platform''': Any signals on wires will be passed to the hub, allowing them to be used for wait conditions
* '''Read moving to''': The platform will output the planet at the end of the current space route with a value of 1.
* '''Read moving from''': The platform will output the planet at the beginning of the current space route with a value of 2.
** If both "moving from" and "moving to" are selected, a platform stopped at a planet will output the planet's signal with a value of 3.
* '''Read speed''': The platform will output its current velocity, defaulting to [[File:Signal-V.png|24px]]
** A speed signal will only show as 0 when stopped at a planet. If a platform is stopped between planets for whatever reason, it will slowly drift into orbit of the nearest planet, giving the signal a value of 10 or -10.
* '''Read damage taken''': The platform will output the amount of damage taken in the current trip, defaulting to [[File:Signal-D.png|24px]]

== Asteroids ==
{{main|asteroids}}

Space platforms regularly encounter [[asteroids]].

The smallest asteroids are called "chunks". Chunks can be collected by [[asteroid collector]]s and processed into various raw materials by [[crusher]]s. Among other uses, it is possible to convert these materials into [[thruster fuel]] and [[thruster oxidizer]].

Asteroids larger than chunks may also appear. However, they cannot be grabbed by asteroid collectors, and will damage the space platform upon impact. They can be targeted by turrets, and can be broken into multiple smaller asteroids by reducing their health to 0. This is done repeatedly until they become chunks.

During voyages, the number and relative velocity of asteroids increases proportionally to the platform's speed. It is therefore dangerous for a space platform to travel faster than it can destroy the asteroids that it will encounter. Different locations contain different amounts of each type of asteroid, and routes between locations may vary these numbers over the course of a journey. For example, only chunks will appear in stationary orbit around [[Nauvis]], thus providing a safe building environment free of larger asteroids that may damage the platform.

== Access to basic resources ==
* [[Water]] can be obtained from [[oxide asteroid chunk]]s via [[oxide asteroid crushing]] and [[ice melting]].
* [[Stone]] is not obtainable and must be brought up from planets.
* [[Iron ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Copper ore]] can be obtained from [[metallic asteroid chunk]]s via [[advanced metallic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Coal]] can be obtained from [[carbonic asteroid chunk]]s via [[coal synthesis]] by using [[carbon]] and [[sulfur]] from [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
* [[Crude oil]] is not obtainable. However:
** [[Sulfur]] can be obtained via [[advanced carbonic asteroid crushing]].
** [[Heavy oil]] can be obtained via [[simple coal liquefaction]] using [[calcite]] obtained from [[advanced oxide asteroid crushing]].

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|reach-for-the-stars}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="300px" heights="200px">
space platform titlescreen.png|Space platform seen on the expansion's title screen.
</gallery>

== History ==
{{history|2.0.23|
* Added an error message when manually trying to launch a rocket to a full space platform.
* Changed space platforms to not delete items on the ground when deconstructing them.}}

{{history|2.0.14|
* Deletion of space platforms requires confirmation.}}

{{history|2.0.7|
* Introduced in [[Space Age]]{{SA}} expansion.
}}

{{SpaceNav}}

Talk:Aquilo

2026-02-09T02:50:08Z

Gotube: /* Removed unsupported claim from Trivia section */ Agree with Tercicatrix

== Removed unsupported claim from Trivia section ==
Removed the following from the "Trivia" section as the linked FFFs do not support the claims. The first link merely has an image of a jellyfish-like creature. The second doesn't mention Aquilo at all.
:During development, Aquilo was planned to be home to floating, jellyfish-like enemies, concept art for which were shown in Friday Facts [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-367 #367]. However, they were not implemented due to them making progression "much slower". [https://www.factorio.com/blog/post/fff-429] --[[User:Gotube|Gotube]] ([[User talk:Gotube|talk]]) 06:53, 6 February 2026 (UTC)

But the linked FFF does mention Aquilo (as The freezing planet), look under the section labeled '''Prototyping''':
"The freezing planet had flying enemies and among them were the jelly-like enemy from FFF-367, however since then these enemies have been dropped from the game. The last planet has a delicate mix of challenges and although we found a way to add enemies to the mix in an interesting way, it would make progression much slower. It might be better as a mod. " --[[User:Tercicatrix|Tercicatrix]] ([[User talk:Tercicatrix|talk]]) 08:04, 6 February 2026 (UTC)

: You're right. I just searched for "Aquilo" rather than reading through the post. Thanks for catching this. I've restored the information. --[[User:Gotube|Gotube]] ([[User talk:Gotube|talk]]) 02:49, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

Aquilo

2026-02-09T02:47:21Z

Gotube: Manual "undo" of my previous edit #217193 following discussion

{{Languages}}
{{About/Space age}}
[[File:aquilo_preview.png|210px|right]]'''Aquilo''' is a desolate, freezing ocean [[planet]]. Its surface consists solely of a vast ocean of liquid ammonia, with the occasional floating iceberg.

Progression wise, Aquilo is meant to be visited after establishing factories on all the previous planets. [[Planet discovery Aquilo (research)]] requires [[rocket turret]]s, [[Advanced asteroid processing (research)]], and [[heating tower]]s from Gleba, [[Asteroid reprocessing (research)]] from [[Vulcanus]], and [[Electromagnetic science pack (research)]] from [[Fulgora]].

[[Planet discovery Aquilo (research)]] is required to travel to the planet.

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|visit-aquilo}}

== Exclusive items ==
[[Lithium brine]], [[ammoniacal solution]], and [[fluorine]] can only be obtained on Aquilo.

The following items have recipes with an explicit restriction that they can only be crafted on Aquilo:
*{{imagelink|Cryogenic plant|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Fusion generator|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Fusion reactor|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Cryogenic science pack|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Quantum processor|space-age=yes}} (can also be crafted on [[space platform]]s)

The following fluids are extracted from or produced on Aquilo and cannot be [[barrel|barrelled]] for transport elsewhere, making them exclusive to Aquilo:
*{{imagelink|Ammoniacal solution|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Fluorine|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Lithium brine|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Ammonia|space-age=yes}}

Because the above fluids cannot be taken off of Aquilo, any recipe that directly consumes them is de-facto exclusive to Aquilo:
*{{imagelink|Fluoroketone (hot)|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Lithium|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Fusion power cell|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Solid fuel from ammonia|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Ammonia rocket fuel|space-age=yes}}

The following can be crafted elsewhere, but are unlocked on Aquilo:
*{{imagelink|Fluoroketone (cold)|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Lithium plate|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Foundation|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Railgun turret|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Railgun|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Railgun ammo|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Captive biter spawner|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Portable fusion reactor|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Promethium science pack|space-age=yes}}

==Surface==

===Properties===
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Aquilo Surface Properties
|-
! Property !! Value
|-
| Pollutant Type || None
|-
| Day Night Cycle || 20 minutes
|-
| Magnetic Field|| 10
|-
| Solar Power || 1%
|-
| Pressure || 300
|-
| Gravity || 15
|-
| Robot energy usage || 500%
|}

=== Natural resources ===
In terms of directly exploitable natural resources, Aquilo has:
* [[Ammoniacal solution]]{{SA}} (via [[offshore pump]] on the edge of the ammoniacal seas)
* [[Lithium brine]]{{SA}} (via [[pumpjack]])
* [[Fluorine]]{{SA}} (via pumpjack)
* [[Crude oil]] (via pumpjack)

Limited amounts of [[lithium]], [[ice]], and [[ice platform]] can be gathered from [[lithium ice formation]]s, but are otherwise crafted.

== Access to basic resources ==

* [[Water]] can be obtained via [[ammoniacal solution separation]] and [[ice melting]]
* [[Stone]] is not available and must be shipped in from other planets
* [[Iron ore]] is not available and must be shipped in from other planets
* [[Copper ore]] is not available and must be shipped in from other planets
* [[Coal]] is not available and must be shipped in from other planets
* [[Crude oil]] can be obtained using pumpjacks as normal

== Mechanics ==

The starting area on Aquilo is a relatively small patch of snow and ice terrain. Beyond this small platform are the vast ammoniacal seas, which have small dots of icey terrain in them, usually around [[crude_oil|crude oil]], [[fluorine]]{{SA}}, or [[lithium_brine|lithium brine]]{{SA}} resource geysers. Aquilo has nothing to drill with any kind of miner. All natural resources, spare the [[lithium ice formation]]s, are gathered either by an [[offshore pump]] or [[pumpjack]]. Bases on Aquilo will be reliant on regularly shipping in resources from other planets.

=== Ice terrain ===

On Aquilo, most terrain must be constructed, but [[landfill]] and [[foundation]]{{SA}} are no help. Instead, [[ice platform]]s{{SA}} have to be used. These platforms are created by first using [[ammoniacal solution separation]]{{SA}} to make [[ice]]{{SA}} and [[ammonia]]{{SA}}, then re-combining those into a platform that can be placed on the ocean like [[landfill]].

Snowy terrain can be built on directly, but on any kind of ice terrain or ice platform, most buildings will require an insulating floor of [[concrete]] tiles or derivatives before they can be placed. [[Stone brick]]s cannot be used to pave ice.

=== Freezing ===
Aquilo is brutally cold. The harsh ambient temperatures drain the energy from any airborne [[construction robot|construction robots]] and [[logistic robot|logistic robots]], making them consume 5 times more power than normal. Most buildings will freeze and stop working unless heated by a [[heat pipe]] or heat generator. Heat can be generated by the [[nuclear reactor]] or [[heating tower]]{{SA}}.

Once a building is adjacent to a heat source above 30°C, it will consume heat energy to maintain its state, reducing the energy (and temperature) in the heat source. Different entities consume different amounts of heat to prevent freezing.

====Notes====
* [[Underground belt]]s and [[pipe to ground|pipes to ground]] are substantially larger heat drains than their above-ground versions
* Heat pipes do not lose heat to the environment; they only lose heat to entities that need to be kept warm.
* All [[burner devices|burner]] entities and heat-producing machines are immune to freezing.

For details on heat throughput, see the [[heat pipe]] page.

A building is adjacent to a heat source when it is one tile away from the heat source either orthogonally or diagonally. All of the pipes would be heated in the below example: 


{| class="wikitable"
|
[[File:Ice_platform.png|24px|link=Ice_platform]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Ice_platform.png|24px|link=Ice_platform]] 
[[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=Pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Heat_pipe.png|24px|link=heat_pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=Pipe]] 
[[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Heating_tower.png|72px|link=Heating_tower]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]] 
[[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]] 
|
[[File:Heat_demo.gif]]
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Entity heat consumption
|-
! Building !! Kilowatts
|-
| {{Icon|Transport belt}} {{Icon|Fast transport belt}} {{Icon|Express transport belt}} {{Icon|Turbo transport belt}}|| 10
|-
| {{Icon|Underground belt}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Fast underground belt}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Express underground belt}} || 150
|-
| {{Icon|Turbo underground belt}} || 200
|-
| {{Icon|Splitter}} {{Icon|Fast splitter}} {{Icon|Express splitter}} {{Icon|Turbo splitter}} || 40
|-
| {{Icon|Pipe}} || 1
|-
| {{Icon|Pipe to ground}} || 150
|-
| {{Icon|Pump}} || 30
|-
| {{Icon|Storage tank}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Power switch}} || 20
|-
| {{Icon|Programmable speaker}} || 30
|-
| {{Icon|Inserter}} {{Icon|Fast inserter}} || 30
|-
| {{Icon|Long-handed inserter}} {{Icon|Bulk inserter}} {{Icon|Stack inserter}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Steam engine}} {{Icon|Steam turbine}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Pumpjack}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Gun turret}} {{Icon|Laser turret}} {{Icon|Rocket turret}} {{Icon|Railgun turret}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Arithmetic combinator}} {{Icon|Decider combinator}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Selector combinator}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Assembling machine 1}} {{Icon|Assembling machine 2}} {{Icon|Assembling machine 3}} {{Icon|Electric furnace}} {{Icon|Chemical plant}} {{Icon|Lab}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Cryogenic plant}} {{Icon|Recycler}} {{Icon|Biochamber}} {{Icon|Electromagnetic plant}} {{Icon|Centrifuge}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Oil refinery}} {{Icon|Artillery turret}} || 200
|-
| {{Icon|Foundry}} {{Icon|Radar}} {{Icon|Roboport}} {{Icon|Rocket silo}} || 300
|-
| {{Icon|Beacon}} ||400
|}

The following entities are immune to freezing. Many may be placed directly on ice tiles, they are listed below.
{| class="wikitable"
! Tile !! Entities !! Category
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Offshore pump}} || Offshore pumps
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Wooden chest}} {{Icon|Iron chest}} {{Icon|Steel chest}} {{Icon|Active provider chest}} {{Icon|Passive provider chest}} {{Icon|Storage chest}} {{Icon|Buffer chest}} {{Icon|Requester chest}} || Chests
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Small electric pole}} {{Icon|Medium electric pole}} {{Icon|Big electric pole}} {{Icon|Substation}} || Electric poles
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Solar panel}} {{Icon|Accumulator}} {{Icon|Lamp}} {{Icon|Constant combinator}} || Basic electric devices
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Tesla turret}} || Tesla turrets
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Construction robot}} {{Icon|Logistic robot}} {{Icon|Defender capsule}} {{Icon|Distractor capsule}} {{Icon|Destroyer capsule}} || Bots
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Car}} {{Icon|Tank}} {{Icon|Spidertron}} || Vehicles
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Locomotive}} {{Icon|Cargo wagon}} {{Icon|Fluid wagon}} {{Icon|Artillery wagon}} || Trains
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Straight rail}} {{Icon|Rail ramp}} {{Icon|Train stop}} {{Icon|Rail signal}} {{Icon|Rail chain signal}} || Rail pieces
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | Any || {{Icon|Rail support}} || Rail pieces
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Cargo landing pad}} {{Icon|Cargo bay}} || Space cargo
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Display panel}} || Player notification devices
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Burner inserter}} {{Icon|Boiler}} {{Icon|Stone furnace}} {{Icon|Steel furnace}} || Burner entities
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Nuclear reactor}} {{Icon|Heat exchanger}} {{Icon|Heating tower}} {{Icon|Heat pipe}} || Heat generators and heat pipes
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Fusion reactor}} {{Icon|Fusion generator}} || Fusion power
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Flamethrower turret}} || Flamethrower turrets
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Wall}} {{Icon|Gate}} || Walls and gates
|}

=== Solar energy ===
Aquilo is far from its sun, and so [[solar panel]]s on its surface only output at 1% of their rate on Nauvis: 0.6 kW peak production. This makes panels practical for little more than powering the first machines to produce the water needed for real power generation.

The minimum machines needed to produce water is either a single [[chemical plant]] to melt [[ice]] (which can initially be dropped from a space platform), or a single [[assembling machine 2]] to [[barrel|empty barrels of water]] also dropped from the platform. Assembling machine 2s require less power than chemical plants, and the unbarreling recipe is faster than [[ice melting]]. So on the whole, the assembler version will be faster.

Note that it is not necessary to fully power these machines. As long as the available power is greater than their drain, they will be able to function, albeit at reduced speed. [[Efficiency module]]s can speed this process up. With 3 efficiency modules, an assembling machine 2 only needs 35 kW to run at full speed (59 solar panels). To reach just 1/8th of max speed requires only 8.75 kW, which only needs 15 (base [[quality]]) solar panels.

Once even a little water is available, [[heat exchanger]]s heated by either [[heating tower]]s or [[nuclear reactor]]s can feed [[steam turbine]]s for power. This power can be used to process [[ammoniacal solution separation]] to generate ice, which can be melted into water for continuous power generation.

==Space routes==
[[Aquilo]] is connected to 2 other planets, [[Gleba]]{{SA}} and [[Fulgora]]{{SA}}, along with the [[Solar system edge]]{{SA}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Planet Distance
|-
! Planet !! Distance (km)
|-
| [[Gleba]]{{SA}}|| 30,000
|-
| [[Fulgora]]{{SA}}|| 30,000
|-
| [[Solar system edge]]{{SA}}|| 100,000
|}

Asteroid rate graphs:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
| [[File:Asteroid_chart_Gleba_Aquilo.png]] Space route from [[Gleba]] to [[Aquilo]]
| [[File:Asteroid_chart_Fulgora_Aquilo.png]] Space route from [[Fulgora]] to [[Aquilo]]
| [[File:Asteroid_chart_Aquilo_Solar_System_Edge.png]] Space route from [[Aquilo]] to [[Solar system edge]]
|}

Graph legend:
<table class="wikitable">
<tr>
<th>Asteroid type</th>
<th>Chunk</th>
<th>Medium</th>
<th>Big</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[File:Metallic asteroid chunk.png|32px]] Metallic</td>
<td>● Blue</td>
<td>● Red</td>
<td>● Cyan</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[File:Carbonic asteroid chunk.png|32px]] Carbonic</td>
<td>● Orange</td>
<td>● Yellow</td>
<td>● Brown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[File:Oxide asteroid chunk.png|32px]] Oxide</td>
<td>● Green</td>
<td>● Magenta</td>
<td>● Purple</td>
</tr>
</table>

==Orbit==

===Properties===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Property !! Value
|-
| Solar Power || 60%
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Asteroid Spawning Types
|-
! [[Asteroids| Asteroid]] Type !! Spawn Ratio
|-
| [[Metallic asteroid chunk]] || 1
|-
| [[Carbonic asteroid chunk]] || 2
|-
| [[Oxide asteroid chunk]] || 20
|-
| [[Promethium asteroid chunk]] || 0
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Asteroid Spawning Sizes
|-
! [[Asteroids| Asteroid]] Size !! Spawn %
|-
| Chunk|| 0.10
|-
| Medium|| 0
|-
| Big || 0.25
|-
| Huge || 0
|}

'''Note:'''
*Chunks spawn at Nauvis at 1.25%
*Huge Asteroids only spawn past [[Aquilo]]{{SA}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="300px" heights="200px">
aquilo_landscape.png|Example landscape of Aquilo.
aquilo_landscape_main_menu.png|Aquilo seen on the expansion's title screen.
</gallery>

== Trivia ==
* In mythology, Aquilo is the Roman god of the north wind, storms, and winter.
* During development, Aquilo was planned to be home to floating, jellyfish-like enemies, concept art for which were shown in Friday Facts [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-367 #367]. However, they were not implemented due to them making progression "much slower". [https://www.factorio.com/blog/post/fff-429]
* Aquilo's design with ice and liquid ammonia oceans is based on real-world [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice%20planet ice planets].

== History ==
{{history|2.0.7|
* Introduced in [[Space Age]]{{SA}} expansion.
}}

== See also ==
* [[Fulgora]] {{SA}}
* [[Gleba]] {{SA}}
* [[Nauvis]]
* [[Vulcanus]] {{SA}}
* [[Space platform]] {{SA}}

{{C|Planets}}
{{SpaceNav}}

Talk:Bulk inserter

2026-02-08T10:19:36Z

Gotube: Deleted topic which doesn't directly mention any content on this page, and is mostly a blueprint

Bulk inserter

2026-02-08T10:13:03Z

Gotube: clarified "stack"

{{Languages}}
{{:Infobox:Bulk inserter}}
The '''bulk inserter''' is an electric inserter that can move multiple items at the same time. Moving at the speed of the [[fast inserter]], it transfers multiple items per cycle to give it a material flow advantage at the cost of additional power consumption.

When transferring between chests or [[cargo wagon]]s it picks up and drops off the entire stack of items instantly. When picking up from or dropping off items onto a [[transport belt]] a bulk inserter needs to grab or drop each item individually, increasing the time between arm swings and lowering its potential throughput. In these cases, however, the bulk inserter still has higher throughput than a [[fast inserter]] because it swings back and forth less often. The throughput from [[Inserters#Chest_to_chest|chest to chest]] for a fully upgraded bulk inserter is 27.69 items per second, but only 13.85 items/s from [[Inserters#Chest_to_belt|chest to express belt]].

A bulk inserter cannot carry more items than the item's [[stack|inventory stack]] size.

== Stack size ==

The stack size is increased by the [[inserter capacity bonus (research)]] technology. The stack size can be overridden to set how many items it picks up at one time, with the maximum being the highest research level currently unlocked.
{| class="wikitable"
! Inserter capacity bonus
! Stack size bonus
! Total stack size
|- align="center"
| align="left"| none || 0 || 2
|- align="center"
| align="left"| 1 || +1 || 3
|- align="center"
| align="left"| 2 || +1 || 4
|- align="center"
| align="left"| 3 || +1 || 5
|- align="center"
| align="left"| 4 || +1 || 6
|- align="center"
| align="left"| 5 || +2 || 8
|- align="center"
| align="left"| 6 || +2 || 10
|- align="center"
| align="left"| 7 || +2 || 12
|-
|}

== History ==
{{history|2.0.7|
* All inserters now have filter option.
* Renamed from Stack inserter to Bulk inserter.
* Max energy consumption increased from 133 kW to 169 kW.}}

{{history|0.15.0|
* Added stack inserter override feature.}}

{{history|0.13.7|
* Updated stack inserter tech icon.}}

{{history|0.13.6|
* Now unlocked by their own research.}}

{{history|0.13.0|
* Introduced}}

== See also ==
* [[Electric system]]
* [[Inserters]]

{{LogisticsNav}}
{{C|Inserters}}

Bulk inserter

2026-02-08T10:11:24Z

Gotube: Add wikilink

{{Languages}}
{{:Infobox:Bulk inserter}}
The '''bulk inserter''' is an electric inserter that can move multiple items at the same time. Moving at the speed of the [[fast inserter]], it transfers multiple items per cycle to give it a material flow advantage at the cost of additional power consumption.

When transferring between chests or [[cargo wagon]]s it picks up and drops off the entire stack of items instantly. When picking up from or dropping off items onto a [[transport belt]] a bulk inserter needs to grab or drop each item individually, increasing the time between arm swings and lowering its potential throughput. In these cases, however, the bulk inserter still has higher throughput than a [[fast inserter]] because it swings back and forth less often. The throughput from [[Inserters#Chest_to_chest|chest to chest]] for a fully upgraded bulk inserter is 27.69 items per second, but only 13.85 items/s from [[Inserters#Chest_to_belt|chest to express belt]].

A bulk inserter cannot carry more items than the item's [[stack]] size.

== Stack size ==

The stack size is increased by the [[inserter capacity bonus (research)]] technology. The stack size can be overridden to set how many items it picks up at one time, with the maximum being the highest research level currently unlocked.
{| class="wikitable"
! Inserter capacity bonus
! Stack size bonus
! Total stack size
|- align="center"
| align="left"| none || 0 || 2
|- align="center"
| align="left"| 1 || +1 || 3
|- align="center"
| align="left"| 2 || +1 || 4
|- align="center"
| align="left"| 3 || +1 || 5
|- align="center"
| align="left"| 4 || +1 || 6
|- align="center"
| align="left"| 5 || +2 || 8
|- align="center"
| align="left"| 6 || +2 || 10
|- align="center"
| align="left"| 7 || +2 || 12
|-
|}

== History ==
{{history|2.0.7|
* All inserters now have filter option.
* Renamed from Stack inserter to Bulk inserter.
* Max energy consumption increased from 133 kW to 169 kW.}}

{{history|0.15.0|
* Added stack inserter override feature.}}

{{history|0.13.7|
* Updated stack inserter tech icon.}}

{{history|0.13.6|
* Now unlocked by their own research.}}

{{history|0.13.0|
* Introduced}}

== See also ==
* [[Electric system]]
* [[Inserters]]

{{LogisticsNav}}
{{C|Inserters}}

Inserter capacity bonus (research)

2026-02-08T10:04:48Z

Gotube: Removed debatable, non-encyclopedic info

{{Languages}}
{{:Infobox:Inserter capacity bonus (research)}}

'''Inserter capacity bonus''' research increases the ''stack size'' for [[inserters]], i.e. the number of items they can hold in the arm at once.

* When moving items from one [[stack]] to another, the inserter takes as many items as it can (i.e. up to the stack size) at once, without any additional delay.

* When moving items to a [[transport belt|belt]], the inserter picks up several items and then drops those items on the belt one by one. While this takes longer than dropping a single item, the overall throughput is still higher because the arm doesn't have to move back and forth.

* When moving items from a belt, the inserter tries to fill its stack to capacity before moving the arm to drop them off. To do this, it waits for a short time for a new item to become in range. The wait time is long enough to make the inserter fill up completely on a fully compressed belt. It is shorter than the time to move the arm away and back, so even though it waits it is a net benefit for throughput.

This means the bonus is more effective when moving from stack to stack than when moving from stack to belt or belt to stack. The increased throughput is significant in any case though, especially for the [[bulk inserter]] that has a max size of 12. See the [[Inserters#Inserter_Throughput|inserter throughput]] section for more details.

A slow [[inserter]] with stack size bonus of 4, which moves from chest to chest, can easily keep up with a [[fast inserter]], moving from chest to a belt. This is why it is recommended to move items that are required in high quantities at high speeds directly between machines.

A high inserter capacity bonus can break some constructions that use the [[circuit network]]; since an inserter can move more items at once an equal ("=") condition might not be met because the number of items "jumps" over the specified number. It is possible to override the max stack size to overcome problems like that. It can also be controlled by a circuit network signal.

{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan=2 | Technology !! rowspan=2 | Cost !! colspan=3 | Pickup bonus (total stack size)
|-
! style="width: 100px;" | Non-Bulk Inserter !! style="width: 100px;" | [[Bulk inserter|Bulk Inserter]] !! style="width: 100px;" | [[Stack inserter|Stack Inserter]] {{SA}}
|-
| none || - || (1) || (2) || (6)
|-
| {{Icontech|Inserter capacity bonus (research)|1}} Inserter capacity bonus 1 || {{Icon|Time|30}} {{Icon|Automation science pack|1}} {{Icon|Logistic science pack|1}} ✖ <big>200</big> || || +1 (3) || +1 (7)
|-
| {{Icontech|Inserter capacity bonus (research)|2}} Inserter capacity bonus 2 || {{Icon|Time|30}} {{Icon|Automation science pack|1}} {{Icon|Logistic science pack|1}} ✖ <big>250</big> || +1 (2) || +1 (4) || +1 (8)
|-
| {{Icontech|Inserter capacity bonus (research)|3}} Inserter capacity bonus 3 || {{Icon|Time|30}} {{Icon|Automation science pack|1}} {{Icon|Logistic science pack|1}} {{Icon|Chemical science pack|1}} ✖ <big>250</big> || || +1 (5) || +1 (9)
|-
| {{Icontech|Inserter capacity bonus (research)|4}} Inserter capacity bonus 4 || {{Icon|Time|30}} {{Icon|Automation science pack|1}} {{Icon|Logistic science pack|1}} {{Icon|Chemical science pack|1}} {{Icon|Production science pack|1}} ✖ <big>250</big> || || +1 (6) || +1 (10)
|-
| {{Icontech|Inserter capacity bonus (research)|5}} Inserter capacity bonus 5 || {{Icon|Time|30}} {{Icon|Automation science pack|1}} {{Icon|Logistic science pack|1}} {{Icon|Chemical science pack|1}} {{Icon|Production science pack|1}} ✖ <big>300</big> || || +2 (8) || +2 (12)
|-
| {{Icontech|Inserter capacity bonus (research)|6}} Inserter capacity bonus 6 || {{Icon|Time|30}} {{Icon|Automation science pack|1}} {{Icon|Logistic science pack|1}} {{Icon|Chemical science pack|1}} {{Icon|Production science pack|1}} ✖ <big>400</big> || || +2 (10) || +2 (14)
|-
| {{Icontech|Inserter capacity bonus (research)|7}} Inserter capacity bonus 7 || {{Icon|Time|30}} {{Icon|Automation science pack|1}} {{Icon|Logistic science pack|1}} {{Icon|Chemical science pack|1}} {{Icon|Production science pack|1}} {{Icon|Utility science pack|1}} ✖ <big>600</big> || +1 (3) || +2 (12) || +2 (16)
|-
|}

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

{{TechNav}}

Stack

2026-02-08T10:01:57Z

Gotube: Add number of items inserters pick up to the "About" template

{{Languages}}
{{About|stacks of items in inventory slots|the number of items an inserter will pick up at once|Inserter capacity bonus (research)|caption1=Inserter capacity bonus|vertical stacks of items on belts in [[Space Age]]|Transport belt capacity (research)|caption2=Transport belt capacity}}
[[File:inventory_stacks.png|thumb|408px|right|Many stacks in the player's inventory.]]A stack is the basic element in Factorio to store items. One space in an inventory can hold one stack.

== Examples of stacks ==

* The [[player|player's]] inventory
** Main inventory
** Armor, weapon, and ammunition stacks
** Logistic trash slots
** The player's hand (is also a stack)
* [[Vehicle]]s
** [[Car]] (fuel, ammunition, inventory)
** [[Tank]] (fuel, ammunition, inventory)
** [[Spidertron]] (ammunition, inventory)
** [[Railway|Train]] (wagons, engines for fuel)
* [[Chests]]: The archetypal example of stacks outside the player's inventory; a chest is basically just a group of stacks.
* Devices
** [[Furnace]]: Burner stack ([[Stone furnace|stone]] and [[Steel furnace|steel]] furnace only), input and output stack
** [[Assembling machine]]s and [[chemical plant]]s: 1 or more output and 1-6 input stacks, depending on item type being assembled
** [[Lab|Labs]]
** Burner-based: [[Boiler]], [[burner mining drill]], [[burner inserter]]
** [[Roboport]] (filtered for robots and repair packs only)
** [[Gun turret]]
* Special
** [[Inserters]] and [[Robots|worker robots]] (Small, variable-size stacks allow these entities to move items between other stacks. See also the [[Inserter capacity bonus (research)|inserter]] and [[Worker robot cargo size (research)|robot]] stack size bonus research topics.)

== How do stacks work? ==

A stack can store a number of identical items.

The first inserted item determines which item types can be stored. This also indirectly determines how many items can be stored in the stack, as this depends on the item type's maximum stack size.

Only items can be stored within stacks; stacks cannot hold [[Fluid system|liquids]] or other entity types.

=== Stack size ===

The number of items a stack can store. Stack size depends on the item; existing stack sizes and (non-exhaustive) examples include (click to expand):

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!style="width: 100px;" |Stack size
!Examples 
|-
| 1 || [[Nuclear fuel]], [[artillery shell]], [[satellite]], [[modular armor]], [[blueprint]].
|-
| 5 || [[Locomotive]], all [[Wagon|wagons]].
|-
| 10 || [[Roboport]], [[rocket fuel]], [[artillery turret]], [[atomic bomb]], [[low density structure]].
|-
| 20 || Some [[equipment modules]], [[pumpjack]]s.
|-
| 50 || All ores, [[stone]], [[coal]], all [[Module|modules]], [[electric mining drill]], [[electric furnace]], all [[Assembling machine|assemblers]], all [[chests]], all [[inserters]], [[gun turret]], [[laser turret]], all [[Electric_system#Distribution|power poles]] including [[substation]], both types of [[Robots|worker robots]], [[solid fuel]].
|-
| 100 || [[Iron plate]], [[copper plate]], [[steel plate]], [[processing unit]], [[iron gear wheel]], [[stone brick]], all types of [[concrete]], both isotopes of [[Uranium processing|processed uranium]], [[pipe]] (regular), all [[Belt transport system|belts]], [[wall]], [[landfill]].
|-
| 200 || [[Electronic circuit]], [[advanced circuit]], all types of [[Ammunition#Magazines|magazine]], all types of [[tank]] [[Ammunition#Tank shells|cannon shell]], [[copper cable]], both colors of circuit [[Circuit network|wire]], all types of [[science pack]] except space science pack.
|-
| 2,000 || Unique to [[space science pack]], present to allow stacking up to 2 [[Rocket|rockets]]' worth of packs in the [[rocket silo]]'s single output slot.
|}

=== Filtered stacks ===

Stacks can be filtered either by default (in burner-type entities, [[furnace]]s, [[roboport]]s, [[turret]]s, [[lab]]s, and other entities that can only accept one or a few item types in a particular slot), or manually by the player (normally set via the middle mouse button / scroll-wheel click, see [[Keyboard bindings]]). Manual filtering is available for [[cargo wagon]]s, [[car]]s, [[tank]]s, [[spidertron]]s and the player inventory, but not for other types of containers (in particular, [[chests]] of any type).

This can be used to ensure only one item type goes into the inventory space. [[Inserters]] (or [[Robots|bots]], where applicable) will not attempt to insert anything except the allowed item type into filtered slots, and manual insertion of other item types by the player is also not allowed unless and until the filter is cleared.

=== Damaged items ===

Damaged items (i.e, damaged entities now stored as items) stack with other damaged items (of the same type), but not with undamaged items. When items with different amounts of damage are stacked together, the health of the items is averaged.

=== Items with durability ===

Items with durability, such as [[science pack]]s and [[repair pack]]s, always stack with items of the same type, regardless of how much durability remains. The durability displayed on the stack is the durability of the first item. After that item is removed from the stack, a stack of items with full durabilities remains. This means that when multiple items with durabilities are stacked together, their durabilities are merged, which can result in a lower overall item count while the overall remaining durability stays the same.

== Stack size bonuses ==

Inserters and logistic robots can be boosted with research to hold and transfer more items, see:

* [[Inserter capacity bonus (research)]]
* [[Worker robot cargo size (research)]]

== Stack limitation ==

[[File:Stack limiter.jpg|300px|thumb|frame|A [[wooden chest]] limited to three stacks. Once the third stack is full, inserters will no longer attempt to add items.]]

Optionally, the usable space in [[chests]] and [[Cargo wagon|wagons]] can be decreased below their default values. Typically, this is done to store a small amount of items in an automated process, without consuming the resources that would be required to fill the entire container.

To limit a container, click the red X at the end of the last stack. Then, click on one of the stacks to set the new limit. The unused stacks will be highlighted red (see right).

When full, inserters will no longer add to a limited container. However, the player is still free to manually place items in the unused (red) slots.

== Handling stacks ==

There are some [[controls|keyboard and mouse bindings]] to quickly handle movement of stacks between inventories, like moving half of a stack to another stack.

== History ==

In game version 0.10, the number of items which can be stored in a stack changed for most items from powers of 2 to multiples of 10. This change was mainly made because most people find it more intuitive to calculate numbers in a base-10 system.

Example: Before the change, a stack could store 64 iron ore, while after the change it is 50. This created some controversy, as some players preferred the old stack sizes.

{{C|Logistics{{!}}#Stack}} {{C|Storage{{!}}#Stack}}

Inserters

2026-02-08T09:49:30Z

Gotube: Fixed section title capitalization per https://wiki.factorio.com/Factorio:Style_guide#Capitalization

{{Languages}}
''For the common yellow electrical inserter, see [[Inserter]].''

'''Inserters''' are devices which are used to move items over short distances. When placed, they have a fixed direction. They can move items from behind and place them in front of them. By doing this, they can move items from one transport belt to another, but also extract items from—and insert items into—machines or storage devices.

== Types of inserters ==
{| class="wikitable"
| {{Imagelink|Burner inserter}} || The only [[fuel]]-powered inserter, with the slowest speed.
|-
| {{Imagelink|Inserter}} || The standard electrical inserter.
|-
| {{Imagelink|Long-handed inserter}} || Capable of inserting and removing items from a greater distance.
|-
| {{Imagelink|Fast inserter}} || Much faster than the inserter.
|-
| {{Imagelink|Bulk inserter}} || As fast as the fast inserter, but can move many more items at the same time at once.
|-
| {{Imagelink|Stack inserter|space-age=yes}} || As fast as the bulk inserter, but can stack items on a belt.
|}

== Mechanics ==
Inserters '''will''':
* Pick up items off the ground, off of a [[Transport belts|transport belt]], or from any object that has storage space, such as [[Chests|chests]], [[furnace]]s [[assembling machine]]s or [[vehicle]]s.
* Place the item onto the ground, onto a transport belt, or into any object that has storage space.
* Run at slower speeds when starved for energy.
* Pick up as many items as their [[inserter capacity bonus (research)|stack size]] allows at once, if they do not have to wait too long to pick them up.
* Pick up items and drop them into the void of space or lava, permanently destroying them. This is useful for getting rid of unwanted items.

Inserters '''will not''':
* Pick up any items that cannot be inserted into the adjacent entity.
* Pick up any items if the adjacent entity is a [[ghost]].
* Pick up items to place into an entity with a full inventory.
* Place more than one item at a time onto the same ground tile.
* Place items into an entity that cannot hold them, for example due to [[Stack#Filtered_stacks|filtered]] or [[Stack#Stack_limitation|limited slots]].
* Fill up the entire target inventory of [[boiler]]s, [[nuclear reactor]]s, [[:Category:Producers|production building]]s, [[furnace]]s and [[turret]]s.

If two or more inserters are picking up from the same tile, the inserter who can grab the items the fastest will grab them first. Besides faster inserters, this favors inserters taking from the inner lane of a transport belt.

=== Insertion limits ===
Depending on where an inserter is moving items, it does not always fill up the entire target inventory. This allows other inserters taking from the same transport belt to pick up their share of the items. For example, if a boiler has 5 or more items of fuel in it, an inserter will not insert additional fuel. This allows the other fuel to travel further down the transport belt. When the fuel drops below 5 items, the inserter will resume inserting fuel, up to the limit of 5 items.

{| class="wikitable"
! Entity !! Item type !! Automatic insertion limit
|-
| [[Boiler]]s, [[burner inserter]]s, [[furnace]]s, and [[nuclear reactor]]s || [[Fuel]] || align="center" | 5
|-
| [[Gun turret]]s || Bullet Magazines || align="center" | 10
|-
| [[Artillery turret]]s || [[Artillery shell]]s || align="center" | 5
|-
| [[Assembling machine]]s, [[furnace]]s, [[centrifuge]]s, [[chemical plant]]s, and [[Oil refinery|oil refineries]]|| Items needed for the recipe || The ingredients for 1 craft in addition to the ingredients for the number of crafts that can be completed during one full inserter swing; but at least the ingredients for 2 crafts and at most the ingredients for 100 crafts.[https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?p=309796#p309796]
|-
| [[Lab]]s || [[Science pack]]s || The number of science packs needed for one research unit in addition to the science packs for the number of research units that can be completed during one full inserter swing; but at least the ingredients for 2 research units and at most the ingredients for 100 research units.
|}

An inserter that has a higher [[inserter capacity bonus (research)|inserter capacity bonus]] than 1 can overfill the target building, due to the inserter picking up a higher amount of items than needed. Overfilling can also occur if multiple inserters are used to insert items into one building.

=== Inserters and transport belts ===
[[Transport belts]] have two lanes on which items can travel. Inserters only place items onto one side of the belt, either the far side from the inserter's perspective or if the belt is going the same or the opposite direction as the inserter the right side from the belt's perspective.

<gallery mode="nolines" class="center" widths=300px heights=350px>
File:Inserter_dropoff_locations.gif| Inserters place the item on the furthest lane. If a belt is in the same orientation as the inserter, the item will be placed on the right-hand lane, from the belt's perspective. In curves the inserter always places on the far side.
File:Inserter_pickup_locations.gif| If the belt is perpendicular to the inserter, inserters '''prefer''' taking items from the nearest lane. If the nearest lane is empty, the inserter will take from the far lane. If the belt is the same/opposite orientation of the inserter or a curve, the inserter '''prefers''' taking from the left lane, from the belt's perspective. If the left lane is empty it will take from the right lane.
</gallery>

=== Potential issues ===
Inserters may have problems picking up items:

* From very fast belts, because the items are moving too quickly.
* From the entry or exit of an underground belt (because the time they have to pick up is shorter)
* From turning belts if the item is on the inside of the corner

== Inserter speed ==
[[File:all_inserter_speeds.gif|frame|right|Animation showing all inserter speeds at once.]]
{| class="wikitable"
! Type
! Rotation-speed (turns per [[Time#Ticks|tick]]) Extension-speed ([[Map_structure#Tile|Tiles]] per Tick)
! Turns per [[Time#Seconds|Game-second]]
! Game-second per full turn
! Ticks per full turn
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Burner inserter}} || 0.013 0.035 || ~0.7895 || ~1.267 || 76
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Inserter}} || 0.014 0.035 || ~0.857 || ~1.167 || 70
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Long-handed inserter}} || 0.02 0.05 || 1.2 || 0.833 || 50
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Fast inserter}} {{Imagelink|Bulk inserter}} {{Imagelink|Stack inserter|space-age=yes}} || 0.04 0.1 || 2.5 || 0.4 || 24
|}

'''Note:''' The speeds per tick come directly from the [https://github.com/wube/factorio-data/tree/master/base/prototypes/entity factorio-data github repository], while the other values have been verified empirically in game. Discrepancies are due to rounding errors during the games runtime, so the empirical values are more accurate when dealing with speeds.

=== Rotation speed ===
Convention: 2π rad = 100% of a circle rotation = '''1 turn''' (or one full rotation).

Note:
* An Inserter doesn't always need to make full turns. When grabbing from a transport belt, it is slightly faster when grabbing items from the closest lane.
* If the rotation speed of an inserter would result in an odd number of ticks per full turn, the actual number of ticks per full turn for this inserter is truncated to be the next lowest even number. The reason for this is that the inserter needs to do two half turns to pick and drop an item. This takes a certain number of ticks two times, therefore the number of ticks for the full turn is always an even number. Example: The Fast inserter's rotation speed of 864°/s or 0.04 turns per tick would result in 25 ticks per full turn, but the inserter cannot do a half turn in "12.5 ticks", so it actually takes 2×12 = 24 ticks per full turn.

=== Extension speed ===
The extension-speed is normally not visible (only when compared to other inserters), but there are measurable speed differences when taking - for example - from the near or the far side of a belt. Also some mods can alter the pickup and drop locations of inserters, making this stat more relevant.

== Inserter throughput ==

=== Chest to chest ===
'''Note:''' Experimental data from 2.0.26, recorded in this doc [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L8Td5o6TAicGi-TPwzh4lz2YiH0n7Jkpp3E8FxNpnAs/edit?usp=sharing]. Chest to chest transfer transfers the entire hand size during a single tick, so most of the time is spent during the swing to and from.

{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan=2 | Type
! rowspan=2 | Arm cycles per second (ticks per cycle)
! colspan=8 | Items/second at [[inserter capacity bonus (research)|capacity bonus]] level (stack size)
|-
! colspan=2 | No capacity bonus
! colspan=2 | Capacity bonus 2
! colspan=2 | Capacity bonus 7
! colspan=2 | [[Transport belt capacity (research)|Transport belt stacking]] {{SA}}
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Burner inserter}} || {{Quality | 0.79 (76 ticks) | 1.03 (58 ticks) | 1.25 (48 ticks) | 1.5 (40 ticks) | 2 (30 ticks) }}
|| {{ Quality | 0.79 |1.03 |1.25|1.5 |2 }}
|| (1)
|| {{ Quality | 1.58 |2.07 |2.5|3 |4 }}
|| (2)
|| {{ Quality | 2.37 |3.10 |3.75|4.5 |6 }}
|| (3)
|| {{ Quality | 3.16 |4.14 |5|6 |8 }}
|| (4)
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Inserter}} || {{Quality | 0.86 (70 ticks) | 1.03 (58 ticks) | 1.36 (44 ticks) | 1.67 (36 ticks) | 2.14 (28 ticks) }}
|| {{ Quality | 0.86 |1.11 |1.36|1.67 |2.14 }}
|| (1)
|| {{ Quality | 1.71 |2.22 |2.73|3.33 |4.29 }}
|| (2)
|| {{ Quality | 2.57 |3.33 |4.09|5 |6.43 }}
|| (3)
|| {{ Quality | 3.43 |4.44 |5.45|6.67 |8.57 }}
|| (4)
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Long-handed inserter}} || {{Quality | 1.2 (50 ticks) | 1.58 (38 ticks) | 2 (30 ticks) | 2.31 (26 ticks) | 3.33 (18 ticks) }}
|| {{ Quality | 1.2 |1.58 |2|2.31 |3.33 }}
|| (1)
|| {{ Quality | 2.4 |3.16 |4|4.62 |6.67 }}
|| (2)
|| {{ Quality | 3.6 |4.74 |6|6.92 |10 }}
|| (3)
|| {{ Quality | 4.8 |6.32 |8|9.23 |13.33 }}
|| (4)
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Fast inserter}} || {{Quality | 2.5 (24 ticks) | 3.33 (18 ticks) | 4.29 (14 ticks) | 5 (12 ticks) | 7.5 (8 ticks) }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.5 |3.33 | 4.29 | 5 | 7.5 }}
|| (1)
|| {{ Quality | 5 |6.67 | 8.57 | 10 | 15 }}
|| (2)
|| {{ Quality | 7.5 |10 |12.86|15 |22.5 }}
|| (3)
|| {{ Quality | 10 |13.33 |17.14|20 |30 }}
|| (4)
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Bulk inserter}} || {{Quality | 2.5 (24 ticks) | 3.33 (18 ticks) | 4.29 (14 ticks) | 5 (12 ticks) | 7.5 (8 ticks) }}
|| {{ Quality | 5 |6.673 | 8.57 | 10 | 15 }}
|| (2)
|| {{ Quality | 10 |13.33 |17.14|20 |30 }}
|| (4)
|| {{ Quality | 30 |40 |51.43|60 |90 }}
|| (12)
|| {{ Quality | 30 |40 |51.43|60 |90 }}
|| (12)
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Stack inserter|space-age=yes}} || {{Quality | 2.5 (24 ticks) | 3.33 (18 ticks) | 4.29 (14 ticks) | 5 (12 ticks) | 7.5 (8 ticks) }}
|| {{ Quality | 15 |20 | 25.71 | 30 | 45 }}
|| (6)
|| {{ Quality | 20 |26.67 | 34.29 | 40 | 60 }}
|| (8)
|| {{ Quality | 40 | 53.33 | 68.57 | 80 | 120 }}
|| (16)
|| {{ Quality | 40 | 53.33 | 68.57 | 80 | 120 }}
|| (16)
|}

=== Chest to belt ===
Throughput going from chest to belt depends on how full the belt is. An inserter will not put down an item on a belt that has items back-to-back (aka full compression) - it waits until there is a gap. However, if the gap is narrower than the item, then the items upstream on the belt will stop to make room for the item being inserted. The direction of the belt compared to the inserter does not matter however.

In these measurements inserters move items onto an empty belt. Values are given for the stack sizes at four different [[inserter capacity bonus (research)|capacity bonus]] levels.

'''Note:''' Experimental data from 2.0

<div style="display:inline-block; width: 100%; overflow-x: auto; vertical-align:top; margin-right:20px;">
{|class="wikitable" min-width: 100%;
! rowspan="3" | Type
! colspan="20" | Items/second at [[inserter capacity bonus (research)|capacity bonus]] level (stack size)
|-
! colspan="5" | No capacity bonus
! colspan="5" | Capacity Bonus 2
! colspan="5" | Capacity bonus 7
! colspan="5" | [[Transport belt capacity (research)|Transport belt stacking]] {{SA}}
|-
! [[File:Transport belt.png|link=Transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Fast transport belt.png|link=Fast transport belt|32px ]] || [[File:Express transport belt.png|link=Express transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Turbo transport belt.png|link=Turbo transport belt|32px]] ||
! [[File:Transport belt.png|link=Transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Fast transport belt.png|link=Fast transport belt|32px ]] || [[File:Express transport belt.png|link=Express transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Turbo transport belt.png|link=Turbo transport belt|32px]] ||
! [[File:Transport belt.png|link=Transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Fast transport belt.png|link=Fast transport belt|32px ]] || [[File:Express transport belt.png|link=Express transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Turbo transport belt.png|link=Turbo transport belt|32px]] ||
! [[File:Transport belt.png|link=Transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Fast transport belt.png|link=Fast transport belt|32px ]] || [[File:Express transport belt.png|link=Express transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Turbo transport belt.png|link=Turbo transport belt|32px]] ||
|-
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Burner inserter}}
|| {{ Quality | 0.78 | 1.03 | 1.25 | 1.5 | 2 }}
|| {{ Quality | 0.78 | 1.03 | 1.25 | 1.5 | 2 }}
|| {{ Quality | 0.78 | 1.03 | 1.25 | 1.5 | 2 }}
|| {{ Quality | 0.78 | 1.03 | 1.25 | 1.5 | 2 }}
|| (1)
|| {{ Quality | 1.57 | 2.03 | 2.43 | 2.93 | 3.87 }}
|| {{ Quality | 1.57 | 2.03 | 2.43 | 2.93 | 3.87 }}
|| {{ Quality | 1.57 | 2.03 | 2.43 | 2.93 | 3.87 }}
|| {{ Quality | 1.57 | 2.03 | 2.43 | 2.93 | 3.87 }}
|| (2)
|| {{ Quality | 2.15 | 2.72 | 3.2 | 3.75 | 4.75 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.25 | 2.9 | 3.45 | 4.1 | 5.3 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.3 | 3 | 3.6 | 4.3 | 5.6 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.3 | 3 | 3.6 | 4.3 | 5.6 }}
|| (3)
|| {{ Quality | 2.6 | 3.27 | 3.73 | 4.27 | 5.2 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.87 | 3.65 | 4.27 | 5 | 6.33 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.93 | 3.8 | 4.53 | 5.33 | 6.87 }}
|| {{ Quality | 3 | 3.87 | 4.6 | 5.47 | 7.07 }}
|| (4)
|-
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Inserter}}
|| {{ Quality | 0.85 | 1.12 | 1.37 | 1.67 | 2.13 }}
|| {{ Quality | 0.85 | 1.12 | 1.37 | 1.67 | 2.13 }}
|| {{ Quality | 0.85 | 1.12 | 1.37 | 1.67 | 2.13 }}
|| {{ Quality | 0.85 | 1.12 | 1.37 | 1.67 | 2.13 }}
|| (1)
|| {{ Quality | 1.7 | 2.17 | 2.67 | 3.23 | 4.13 }}
|| {{ Quality | 1.7 | 2.17 | 2.67 | 3.23 | 4.13 }}
|| {{ Quality | 1.7 | 2.17 | 2.67 | 3.23 | 4.13 }}
|| {{ Quality | 1.7 | 2.17 | 2.67 | 3.23 | 4.13 }}
|| (2)
|| {{ Quality | 2.3 | 2.9 | 3.45 | 4.1 | 5 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.45 | 3.1 | 3.75 | 4.5 | 5.6 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.5 | 3.2 | 3.9 | 4.75 | 6 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.5 | 3.2 | 3.9 | 4.75 | 6 }}
|| (3)
|| {{ Quality | 2.8 | 3.43 | 4 | 4.6 | 5.47 }}
|| {{ Quality | 3.07 | 3.87 | 4.6 | 5.47 | 6.67 }}
|| {{ Quality | 3.2 | 4.07 | 4.87 | 5.87 | 7.27 }}
|| {{ Quality | 3.27 | 4.13 | 5 | 6 | 7.48 }}
|| (4)
|-
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Long-handed inserter}}
|| {{ Quality | 1.2 | 1.58 | 2 | 2.3 | 3.33 }}
|| {{ Quality | 1.2 | 1.58 | 2 | 2.3 | 3.33 }}
|| {{ Quality | 1.2 | 1.58 | 2 | 2.3 | 3.33 }}
|| {{ Quality | 1.2 | 1.58 | 2 | 2.3 | 3.33 }}
|| (1)
|| {{ Quality | 2.33 | 3 | 3.87 | 4.43 | 6.3 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.33 | 3 | 3.87 | 4.43 | 6.3 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.33 | 3 | 3.87 | 4.43 | 6.3 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.33 | 3 | 3.87 | 4.43 | 6.3 }}
|| (2)
|| {{ Quality | 3.1 | 3.9 | 4.75 | 5.3 | 6.92 }}
|| {{ Quality | 3.35 | 4.3 | 5.3 | 6 | 8.18 }}
|| {{ Quality | 3.45 | 4.5 | 5.6 | 6.4 | 9 }}
|| {{ Quality | 3.45 | 4.5 | 5.6 | 6.4 | 9 }}
|| (3)
|| {{ Quality | 3.65 | 4.45 | 5.20 | 5.72 | 7.07 }}
|| {{ Quality | 4.13 | 5.2 | 6.33 | 7.07 | 9.23 }}
|| {{ Quality | 4.33 | 5.6 | 6.87 | 7.73 | 10.43 }}
|| {{ Quality | 4.47 | 5.73 | 7.07 | 8 | 10.92 }}
|| (4)
|-
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Fast inserter}}
|| {{ Quality | 2.5 | 3.33 | 4.28 | 5 | 7.5 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.5 | 3.33 | 4.28 | 5 | 7.5 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.5 | 3.33 | 4.28 | 5 | 7.5 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.5 | 3.33 | 4.28 | 5 | 7.5 }}
|| (1)
|| {{ Quality | 4.8 | 6.3 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.52 }}
|| {{ Quality | 4.8 | 6.3 | 8 | 9.23 | 13.33 }}
|| {{ Quality | 4.8 | 6.3 | 8 | 9.23 | 13.33 }}
|| {{ Quality | 4.8 | 6.3 | 8 | 9.23 | 13.33 }}
|| (2)
|| {{ Quality | 5.62 | 6.92 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.52 }}
|| {{ Quality | 6.42 | 8.18 | 10 | 11.25 | 15 }}
|| {{ Quality | 6.9 | 9 | 11.25 | 12.85 | 18 }}
|| {{ Quality | 6.9 | 9 | 11.25 | 12.85 | 18 }}
|| (3)
|| {{ Quality | 6 | 7.07 | 7.5 | 7.52 | 7.52 }}
|| {{ Quality | 7.5 | 9.23 | 10.92 | 12 | 15 }}
|| {{ Quality | 8.27 | 10.43 | 12.62 | 14.13 | 18.47 }}
|| {{ Quality | 8.58 | 10.92 | 13.33 | 15 | 20 }}
|| (4)
|-
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Bulk inserter}}
|| {{ Quality | 4.8 | 6.3 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.52 }}
|| {{ Quality | 4.8 | 6.3 | 8 | 9.23 | 13.33 }}
|| {{ Quality | 4.8 | 6.3 | 8 | 9.23 | 13.33 }}
|| {{ Quality | 4.8 | 6.3 | 8 | 9.23 | 13.33 }}
|| (2)
|| {{ Quality | 6 | 7.07 | 7.5 | 7.52 | 7.52 }}
|| {{ Quality | 7.5 | 9.23 | 10.92 | 12 | 15 }}
|| {{ Quality | 8.27 | 10.43 | 12.62 | 14.13 | 18.47 }}
|| {{ Quality | 8.58 | 10.92 | 13.33 | 15 | 20 }}
|| (4)
|| {{ Quality | 6.93 | 7.35 | 7.5 | 7.52 | 7.52 }}
|| {{ Quality | 11.23 | 12.4 | 13.33 | 13.85 | 15 }}
|| {{ Quality | 14.4 | 16.38 | 18 | 18.95 | 21.18 }}
|| {{ Quality | 16.4 | 18.97 | 21.2 | 22.5 | 25.72 }}
|| (12)
|| {{ Quality | 6.93 | 7.35 | 7.5 | 7.52 | 7.52 }}
|| {{ Quality | 11.12 | 12.4 | 13.33 | 13.85 | 15 }}
|| {{ Quality | 14.4 | 16.38 | 18 | 18.95 | 21.18 }}
|| {{ Quality | 16.4 | 18.97 | 21.2 | 22.5 | 25.72 }}
|| (12)
|-
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Stack inserter|space-age=yes}}
|| {{ Quality | 11.27 | 13.87 | 15 | 15 | 15.03 }}
|| {{ Quality | 12.87 | 16.37 | 20 | 22.5 | 30 }}
|| {{ Quality | 13.8 | 18 | 22.5 | 25.7 | 36 }}
|| {{ Quality | 13.8 | 18 | 22.5 | 25.7 | 36 }}
|| (6)
|| {{ Quality | 12 | 14.13 | 15 | 15.03 | 15.03 }}
|| {{ Quality | 15 | 18.47 | 21.83 | 24 | 30 }}
|| {{ Quality | 16.53 | 20.87 | 25.23 | 28.27 | 36.93 }}
|| {{ Quality | 17.17 | 21.83 | 26.67 | 30 | 40 }}
|| (8)
|| {{ Quality | 13.33 | 14.57 | 15 | 15.03 | 15.03 }}
|| {{ Quality | 20 | 22.87 | 25.27 | 26.67 | 30 }}
|| {{ Quality | 24 | 28.27 | 32 | 34.3 | 40 }}
|| {{ Quality | 26.67 | 32 | 36.9 | 40 | 48 }}
|| (16)
|| {{ Quality | 24 | 28.27 | 30 | 30.07 | 30.07 }}
|| {{ Quality | 30 | 36.93 | 43.67 | 48 | 60 }}
|| {{ Quality | 33.07 | 41.73 | 50.47 | 56.53 | 73.87 }}
|| {{ Quality | 34.33 | 43.67 | 53.33 | 60 | 80 }}
|| (16)
|}
</div>

=== Chest to splitter ===
When an inserter drops items onto the side of a perpendicular splitter, it always is considered to do so on the input side, enabling the splitter to move half of the items to the other belt (assuming that the splitter filter/priority settings allow it to do so and that there is available space on both belts). This allows the inserter to drop its items more quickly. A bulk inserter with capacity bonus 7 can move 16.0 items/second instead of the usual 14.4 items/second.

<gallery mode="nolines" class="center" widths=400px heights=250px>
File:Inserter to splitter comparison.gif|By inserting onto the side of a splitter, a fully-upgraded bulk inserter can fill 71% of an express belt lane instead of the usual 64%. (Gif from 1.1)
File:Inserter belt saturation.gif|In 1.1, three bulk inserters could saturate an express belt if one of them inserts onto a splitter. In 2.0, three bulk inserters can saturate an express belt if two of them insert onto splitters. (Gif from 1.1)
</gallery>

===Belt to chest (perpendicular)===

'''Note:''' The following is based on experimental data from [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Q4hxL69qrK3qeEKU8aDkuwM3gJy6I2dJ4FYSs-FQUpI/edit?usp=sharing 1.1].
Most of the 1.1 experimental data was gathered using the following circuit blueprint to measure the exact tick difference between inserter swings. A lot of the data on this page (specifically the belt to chest data) relies heavily on the conditions of the setup on which the measurements are done. If your setup differs from the ones tested on this page, you can use the following blueprint to do the measurements yourself.

{{BlueprintString|bp-string=0eNrtXF1v4kYU/SuRq75UkMz32GhbKY996FvfuivkwBCsBYNss20U8d87NiHAwMVzHdjsKKtIURzb1zPn3K85Y3iOHmYrsyyyvIoGz9HYlKMiW1bZIo8G0V8mLVeFKW+yvDRFZYqbalosVo/T5aq6WeVj+49xNpmYwuTVzWiRj7P6xvL2c/45n1bVshzc3f2bfc1uJ+moWhTZ4na0mN/9+WKs/GX71/DvV7Of86gXZdZWGQ3+eY7K7DFPZ/XIqqelsUPKKjO3V+TpvD4qq3T0tb8dXbS2t9pR/RcN6LrXenNaZNV0bqps1LfDesjy1I5xzwZbf+lFdmZ2UmYzmubgaZiv5g/2aQPaYqoXLRdltsHyObIW+/pW9qIn+we3jxlnhRltzopeZKdcFYvZ8MFM02+ZvdvesjM73KFbn5hkRVkNj+b3LSuqlf3PDp/miv59PavS1DZqQxa1mm1KetFiaYr0he07e99iVVkSUJbX62bw+WYuzfBo/asw433QMnvE7ZVZMVplVXNI11/svQy4mEp7el3z6MDO0LCr94HdpKPpHvI4uvaZ+fSpAzWbpyPYkUfs9KLHwpi8hUa2o/Hk5VQBRHI0kfJHjp9frx4/1GWod3Ca8RYm2HH8neJFoHnhHzuvKUxea1g6BbtEw85+5jUPdtj5qNFgnlO4PMcEQKxCE0s/dp4T5xnjtIUJ6Zfn9Osot5M9zwrZsmLjbn2aiUk2qzvb070rBA6JGmurGuw+JVonXFEWtzSzkDV6YI3HgjLC2V5XizHGDowlhBCaaLqzxlHW+J41O0+uBY2ZeDUmUMbEwdCojmWSiD1rEmVNHnKQCE05FztrCmVN7VljVHAWJ/vGNMqYPhialDROmIjJq7UYZS0+sKY4lbFgUr1aS1DWkgNrzP5IHu9ZowRl7v7kVHfWNoHftZ89zCKJX5KIscmbfOxeiFJMM8Qh2BMs7PRnL+TBDtzsuLy1dTucAczVLvcyyrEZZWNTnOVNvLDWlNQ93tRp3l5Mvo20NH+qpln+uMk221gh9cF8mRbNQAfRHx0IqSFvjC6fhk0eG06KxXyY5dZKNJiks9JAbJ1mhZ/XSNgRaRC9nms/iha12MfuVeOWXjVpiSPPMkTRqpfY71XbA+tSvLxEwBEzfXrIzG9dowsXPwTMaqfC6ehqh0zlSRaHFOojlnT7mmL7xPlibIaLyXAPxT0lrjDpeDhNN5hXdkAWmapYmd0VzcnmstpS46rdgQSnvhOPynk6m/Vn6Xx5Yi0Vb+dNt/P2G4cg0IN38sncjLPVvG9m1mJho2S5mJlzQyDgENo1uKYK2ieb7HH6sFg1Sz/Ge5x+OTVG5QeOPgIHdIrXWO0QquR8/fsUoUKNnY8dGkPEaT9Q1PcBhV4UFJpAs46RrkCuOmt22Vkrh3wBNosJkvzrwsAvC4N2YYCkX0b8YJBBJgaIfEb9Zi261goNPZgh4b6u14nLwk1cr4P23xjHlkzRqWTy8y2yaK+otrjz5FRFZZ7tBg8xcOT5ispAXqUfKCzEisrAoFZIVwipojLhkC+hPphpJPkhVVQmXRigdQjz7K9oiImBg+R7tlOkY0WV0Ds5nCDhDqqixq7XQTu9nGIrKulUUdX5ihq/oaJyv96IhBg3SYu8A9LKvTChIdZTDoa0wDlCSOWUu9RLSJ3gEkd9SNWUcxcFSK3gqsueDv2eezqvOy8/yHaO327N2a0B5blnw/1aPhZkqwMGZoybdEgNB3eFIwUJRzxBNhy8m+jd8uap1m9QxQXBbRkQXM9K3aWTAN97pbiB4LcuHFahBbxgOHH4ur4tLyuKus20gLouwXHa8HVRUJfeF3BQgNowIXC+cN3kri+KgnDbMAWJO0LifIEG1IYJtw1TUM0TCqdbh5QXmOsLAkRB47YNkPWCHenTUFcsYhwd13XK+LJO6W7hKRCFBEcHfhPH6TUg8UsSnAAcVHS4dEhoU01SnP4bUtVkri9I8LM0DOcLIVVN6faRGmpoJcf5QkhVUx6tQcCIEDhtOqS8wF1fkNCaQkrc1gC2aroNrYRaOalwdIRUNaW71tRggtI4OvAbNc5AoFWWjFEyb1DB4bKhwNYhQam8IdVM7nqCgqqFIihPCKpkuqKDhpbbiqI8IaiK6aZoDdUKxTrI/cRV+9n3VPv5ETaXVvvrl6lxkafObzcqhnk3XQnfr2fw3TZQHKWgB5X53XhXYLyLDq5O39XVXWx+7/YZl4tta6mWN7/dzYG2T2+fuv4kdRLlvyH1kcqVBDUkhimF27NgSPUFBF/jZGl2VfSTy2pfwleQVTFOlr4uCveXRUEei/OekqBKcMIoC6i0iNjXOTTBCaPY0ITQ1xSnfYUUmpL5qj6a4bSvkEJT8mMF0FN30BynvoQUmlJ5O4fAqS/I0AS1Ly1RS+yQIlMR39WlVqgldkiBqeixzuDZyGndYSHC3nUhwi6w5r7vuOJ+2wpZ4FYs51fm9Uf8e29bymjcy2whJWUlT+cFC1nzdayDvS+g7UWz9MHYMUbbb4a9eUxXj/VrbN9MUW48PKZCJ0xLQbkkcr3+HxANddo=}}

When picking items from a belt, many more factors come into play besides belt fullness:

* How fast the items move (i.e. if they are queued up on the belt or move at belt speed).
* Whether the belt is perpendicular to the inserter or approaches it head on.
* Whether items are on the near or far lane of a perpendicular belt.
* Whether the belt turns or not, and whether the items are in the inner or outer side of the bend.
* If the belt is an underground entrance or exit. This shortens the time items are visible to the inserter for pickup.
* All sorts of intricate timing factors between the inserter and the items on the belt, since the game simulates the arm homing in on every item.

The test setup used below is with an inserter taking items from a perpendicular belt with items on the far lane only. The belt is fully compressed and timings are both for items that move at full speed and queued up as much as possible. Values are given for the stack sizes at three different [[inserter capacity bonus (research)|capacity bonus]] levels.

{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan=4 | Type
! colspan=15 | Items/second at [[inserter capacity bonus (research)|capacity bonus]] level (stack size)
|-
! colspan=5 | No capacity bonus
! colspan=5 | Capacity bonus 2
! colspan=5 | Capacity bonus 7
|-
! colspan=3 | Items at belt speed
! rowspan=2 | Items queued up
! rowspan=2 |
! colspan=3 | Items at belt speed
! rowspan=2 | Items queued up
! rowspan=2 |
! colspan=3 | Items at belt speed
! rowspan=2 | Items queued up
! rowspan=2 |
|-
! [[File:Transport belt.png|link=Transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Fast transport belt.png|link=Fast transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Express transport belt.png|link=Express transport belt|32px]]
! [[File:Transport belt.png|link=Transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Fast transport belt.png|link=Fast transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Express transport belt.png|link=Express transport belt|32px]]
! [[File:Transport belt.png|link=Transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Fast transport belt.png|link=Fast transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Express transport belt.png|link=Express transport belt|32px]]
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Burner inserter}} || 0.60 || '''0.65''' || 0.50 || 0.64 || (1) || 1.11 || '''1.20''' || 1.13 || 1.26 || (2) || 1.61 || 1.61 || '''1.65''' || 1.71 / 1.73 / 1.86 * || (3)
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Inserter}} || '''0.94''' || '''0.94''' || '''0.94''' || 0.88 || (1) || '''1.67''' || '''1.67''' || 1.50 || 1.74 || (2) || '''2.50''' || 2.25 || 2.33 || 2.37 / 2.37 / 2.54 * || (3)
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Long-handed inserter}} || 1.18 || 1.18 || '''1.25''' || 1.20 || (1) || 2.20 || 2.31 || '''2.40''' || 2.40 || (2) || 3.21 || 3.21 || '''3.46''' || 3.40 || (3)
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Fast inserter}} || '''2.50''' || 2.31 || '''2.50''' || 2.50 || (1) || 4.50 || 4.29 || '''5.00''' || 4.80 || (2) || '''6.43''' || 6.00 || '''6.43''' || 6.43 || (3)
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Bulk inserter}} || 4.50 || 4.29 || '''5.00''' || 4.80 || (2) || 7.50 || 7.50 || '''8.00''' || 7.50 / 8.57 / 8.28 * || (4) || 7.50 || 11.25 || '''15.00''' || 7.50 / 13.09 / 15.32 * || (12)
|}

<nowiki>*)</nowiki> Throughput for basic/fast/express belt.

Since there are many more factors involved, these measurements exhibit a more complex pattern than chest-to-belt.

* Boldface cells show for which belt each inserter has the best throughput on each bonus level when items move at belt speed. Higher speed belts mean that inserters have to work harder to catch the fast moving items. The effect is most noticeable for slower inserters and smaller stack sizes.
* When items are queued up the belt type hardly matters, so there is only a single column for that. The exceptions are the stack inserters - for basic transport belts it's the belt that sets the limit for stack sizes above 4, and there is also a notable difference between fast and express belts.

=== Belt to chest (facing inserter) ===
'''Note:''' Experimental data from 1.1

When picking up items from a belt facing the inserter, there are multiple small differences between different setups. The following throughput tests are performed with [[express transport belt]]s and [[bulk inserter]]s with the maximum [[inserter capacity bonus (research)|capacity bonus]].
Each setup in the following picture shows the amount of ticks per cycle of the inserter and the amount of items per second the inserter moves. These measurements are consistent in all orientations of the setup.

[[File:Inserter_belt_to_chest_throughput.png|center|900px]]

=== Insertion into lava/space ===

In [[Space Age]], inserters can dump items into lava on [[Vulcanus]] or into space on [[Space platform]]s. This act however is not as fast as inserting into a chest or similar container.

When inserting into lava/space, one item is removed from the inserter's hand every tick. So a [[stack inserter]] holding 16 items requires 16 ticks to dump its contents into lava/space. By contrast, when inserting into a container, the entire hand size is placed in the container in 1 tick.

== Power usage ==
Inserter power draw is determined by several factors.

Firstly like most machines, all of the inserters (with the exception of the burner) have drain. Drain is the energy cost of existence, and is expended constantly as long as the inserter exists on the power grid, regardless of activity or lack thereof.

Inserters also have a two costs associated with movement. These costs are applied separately and cumulatively for rotational motion as well as extension/retraction.

Lastly, inserters exhibit a power spike when acquiring and dropping off an item. This can be referred to as "item spike" because it is typically observed directly after item interaction. This is because after receiving/delivering an item it will begin extending/retracting a distance of 0.2 units (distance sourced from [https://github.com/wube/factorio-data/blob/master/base/prototypes/entity/entities.lua source code]). This power cost associated with linear movement is significantly more expensive than that of rotational movement, hence the sharp increase in power consumption.

[[File:Yellow Inserter Power Spikes.png|thumb|Power Consumption graph of Yellow Inserter]]

Here we can see that for the duration of the lateral movement the power consumption is significantly higher.

Burner Inserters, despite not using electricity, also have the same power consumption characteristics as the rest of the inserters (excluding drain). Upon accepting fuel they will replenish something resembling an internal battery, and draw from it in the same manner other inserters draw from the power grid, item spikes and all. Aside from their exclusion from drain, Burner Inserters function identically to other Inserters.

=== Energy costs ===

[[File:Inserter Testing Setup.png|thumb|Inserter Testing Setup]]

It's important to note that due to rounding errors the games values cannot be taken at face value when doing calculations, so a blend of theoretical and empirical methods must be used to ensure accuracy. More information can be viewed here at this [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?t=128389 forum topic]

The game calculates inserter power based on its hard coded power modifiers:

'''Inserter Power Modifiers (kJ)'''

These values are derived from [https://github.com/wube/factorio-data/blob/master/base/prototypes/entity/entities.lua source code]

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Burner !! Yellow!! Red!! Blue !! Green !! Stack
|-
| 50 || 5 || 5 || 7 || 20 || 40
|-
|}

The way the game uses these values is it takes the game's programmed speed in ticks (which can be found higher up on the page), and then uses that alongside these numbers to derive a wattage, using the following equation:

<code>Speed × Power Modifier × Ticks per second</code>

Applying the equation we can derive the following values:

'''Cost of rotational movement in kW'''

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Burner !! Yellow!! Red!! Blue !! Green !! Stack
|-
| 39 || 4.2 || 6 || 16.8 || 48 || 96
|-
|}

'''Cost of linear movement in kW'''

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Burner !! Yellow!! Red!! Blue !! Green !! Stack
|-
| 105 || 10.5 || 15 || 42 || 120 || 240
|-
|}

Taking these two values and adding them together, alongside drain, will give you your max power. It is critical to note that while the duration of consumption is affected by rounding errors in the game like the time per spin and so on, the actual wattage is unaffected by these rounding errors. Just because the inserter spins slightly faster than in the games code doesn't mean it uses slightly more wattage, it still demands the same wattage.

Your rotational power is used during the entire time the inserter is spinning, while the the extension cost is only used briefly during item interaction, causing item spike. By calculating the duration of both you can accurately calculate how many joules your inserter is using in any given situation. Just like with the rotational speeds, item spike duration is subject to rounding errors from the game. You can calculate it by taking the games rated distance of 0.2 and dividing it by the inserters rated speed, and then truncating the number. To save you some hassle here is a reference table

'''Tick duration of Item Spike'''

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Burner !! Yellow!! Red!! Blue !! Green !! Stack
|-
| 5 || 5 || 4 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
|}

Knowing these values, energy cost is easy to calculate, and is linear to inserter utilization. This means if your inserter is only running half the time, it will only use half the power, with the exception of drain which remains constant in all situations.

'''Cost per transfer cycle in kJ'''

These values are isolated from drain. Values were theoretically derived and empirically confirmed for accuracy. [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?t=128389 More information]

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Burner !! Yellow!! Red!! Blue !! Green !! Stack
|-
| 66.9 || 6.65 || 7 || 8.12 || 23.2 || 46.4
|-
|}

=== Inserter efficiency ===

The above data can be used to compare inserter efficiency directly. Remember that the transfer cycle cost remains the same regardless of how many items are moved. This means that the later inserters with their larger stack sizes can outperform other inserters despite their higher transfer cost, since they can achieve a lower cost per item. Here are some graphs of chest-to-chest data showing the efficiency of different inserters at differing stack sizes. Because the other inserters maintain a proportional relationship (as in an identical stack size) these graphs will primarily focus on highlighting the Green Inserter and new Stack Inserter. Dots have been marked at the turning point where they overtake the other inserters in consumption

<gallery mode="slideshow">
File:Inserter Efficiency Graph (No Capacity Bonus).png||No Capacity Bonus
File:Inserter Efficiency Graph (Capacity Bonus 2).png|Capacity Bonus 2
File:Inserter Efficiency Graph (Capacity Bonus 4).png|Capacity Bonus 4
File:Inserter Efficiency Graph (Capacity Bonus 5) .png|Capacity Bonus 5
File:Inserter Efficiency Graph (Capacity Bonus 6) (Zoomed).png|Capacity Bonus 6
File:Inserter Efficiency Graph (Capacity Bonus 7).png|Capacity Bonus 7
</gallery>

Important to note is that the actual efficiency of the inserters is best measured in terms of kJ / item. Such a version of these graphs wasn't generated because it is almost a flat line. This is because for this kind of linear power consumption the kJ / item would just be the slope of the line, or in other words it would be the ''kJ per transfer cycle / stack size''.

Now for an important caveat. The above graphs are assuming unlimited input. That is to say the graphs assume that the inserter is always spinning at its maximum hand size. In situations that are input limited however, the inserter will not always do so. When the inserter completes its spin, the only time it waits for items is when there are zero to take. As long as there is at least a single item, the inserter will transfer whatever is there immediately, regardless of the inefficiency of moving less than its maximum. Stack Inserters are an exception to this as they actually do wait for a full hand before making the transfer, but no other inserter does. An example of an input limited situation would be the unloading of an assembler. Here are some graphs showing power usage in input limited situations:

<gallery mode="slideshow">
File:Inserter Efficiency Graph (Capacity Bonus 2, Input Minimum 1).png | Capacity Bonus 2, Input Minimum 1
File:Inserter Efficiency Graph (Capacity Bonus 2, Input Minimum 1, kJ).png | Capacity Bonus 2, Input Minimum 1
File:Inserter Efficiency Graph (Capacity Bonus 7, Input Minimum 1).png| Capacity Bonus 7, Input Minimum 1
File:Inserter Efficiency Graph (Capacity Bonus 7, Input Minimum 1, kJ).png| Capacity Bonus 7, Input Minimum 1
</gallery>

Here is how the behavior works. The inserter will increase its spin speed to max power as a utilization function of its minimum input. In simpler terms, if the minimum input is 1, it will increase power consumption as though it had no capacity bonus. Once it reaches the maximum, it will maintain max power while gradually increasing the average hand size its moving, thereby gradually increasing its efficiency. We can see this behavior in the kJ graph, where we get this swooping descent curve as it gains efficiency. We can see that with each subsequent inserter the average improves, and it will ultimately converge towards the same value as the previous set of graphs, that being ''kJ per transfer cycle / stack size''. The graphs shared cover the most common use cases, but input minimums can very quite largely. For example the input minimum for crafting yellow belts would be 2, and in general for any recipe the input minimum would be the minimum craft quantity. When belt feeding, its possible for inserters to experience inserter limiting as the belt approaches empty, or if using circuit limited sushi. Due to how many possible permutations of these graphs there are, sharing them all is simply not feasible. If you need a graph not displayed, you can generate one yourself using the code shared [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?p=670540#p670540 here]

Because the Burner Inserter doesn't have drain, its efficiency can only truly be appreciated in extremely low throughput situations. Thus we use these dedicated graphs. Before one graph with no capacity bonus would have been sufficient because at low throughputs inserters don't wait and always default to as stack size of 1. The new Stack Inserter changes this though, because Stack Inserters do in fact wait until they get a full hand before beginning their swing, meaning they always remain at optimal efficiency unlike the rest of the inserters. Though having generated the graphs it appears to be largely irrelevant, as the fundamental relationship never really changes from one extreme to the other.

<gallery mode="slideshow">
File:Burner Efficiency Graph (No Capacity Bonus).png|No Capacity Bonus
File:Burner Efficiency Graph (Capacity Bonus 7).png|Capacity Bonus 7
</gallery>

Note: The Burner graphs are mislabeled on the y-axis. They should read kJ, not kW.

=== Belt differences===
Up until now all data was regarding chest-to-chest use cases, due to their sterile and consistent nature. The introduction of belts creates special conditions that require consideration. Here is a power chart from the game for reference:

[[File:Yellow Inserter Belt-to-Belt Power Signature.png|frameless|center|upright 3]]

The Yellow Inserter above is doing a belt-to-belt transfer, and it has a stack bonus.

The erratic section of the graph is the loading process. We can see the behavior is irregular as the inserter does not wait for the item, but rather fishes around for them. The exact behavior here is still being studied, and due to its dependence on stack size and belt speed it is very difficult to give any firm answers regarding how much power this actually uses as a quantifiable generalization. Likely a set of tables would need to be generated with every possible combination as a reference, but such data does not currently exist. The behavior should be consistent across belt speeds and stack sizes, so it can theoretically be gathered and collated into a reference table, though such data doesn't exist at this time.

Looking at the unloading section, we can see the inserter swings around normally, but then there is this dip that doesn't exist in the chest to chest behavior. This is the inserter waiting at the belt to drop off all its items. During this waiting, it uses no power aside from its drain. Once all the items are delivered, it resumes operation as normal. Different amounts of delay caused by different belt speeds and stack sizes can create variations in both our throughput and our total cost per transfer due to the additional drain. This can also be easily modeled into a table, though such a table is currently unavailable

If you are interested in volunteering to collect and share this data, you are encouraged to do so!

What this currently means in practice is that you should just use the chest-to-chest data. The overall relationship between the inserters doesn't change significantly and their efficiency hierarchy remains undisturbed, though the exact consumption in joules per item likely increases noticeably. This could be problematic for other cost estimates in your factory, but for choosing inserters its not an issue.

'''Important:''' The above efficiency graphs only apply when loading from a chest. When loading from a belt, until a more accurate dedicated data set is provided, it is advised to reference the initial no capacity bonus version of the graph for all decisions. With an inserter stack size of 1, the efficiency relationship between chests and belts is identical.

'''Regarding Quality:''' Quality inserters receive a linear speed boost for each level of quality, with a corresponding power cost increase. What this means is that the quality level of an inserter has no impact on its energy efficiency

''More data regarding inserters feeding from belts, as well as more detailed data regarding burner inserter power consumption is still needed. Please contribute if you are willing''

== See also ==
* [[Electric system]]
* [[Belt transport system]]
* [[Inserter capacity bonus (research)]]: Inserter moves more than an item per turn.

{{C|Logistics{{!}}#Inserters}} {{C|Inserters{{!}}#Inserters}}

Transport belt capacity (research)

2026-02-08T06:52:58Z

Gotube: Rewrote top section for clarity, conciseness

{{Languages}}
{{:Infobox:Transport belt capacity (research)}}
{{About/Space age}}
'''Increases''' the [[transport belt]] vertical stack size by 1, up to 4. Only [[stack inserter]]s, [[big mining drill]]s and [[recycler]]s can create belt stacks. All inserters can pick individual items from stacks. Items stacked in this way do not become single "bundled" items. These stacks exist only on belts.

The prerequisite [[Stack inserter (research)]] increases stack size on belts from 1 to 2. Transport belt capacity research increases the stack size on belts to 3 and then 4.

{| class="wikitable"
! Technology
! Cost
! Effect
|-
| {{Icontech|Transport belt capacity (research)|1}} Transport belt capacity 1 || {{Icon|Time|60}} {{Icon|Automation science pack|1}} {{Icon|Logistic science pack|1}} {{Icon|Chemical science pack|1}} {{Icon|Production science pack|1}} {{Icon|Utility science pack|1}} {{Icon|Space science pack|1}} {{Icon|Agricultural science pack|1}} ✖ <big>2000</big> || Stack size 3
|-
| {{Icontech|Transport belt capacity (research)|2}} Transport belt capacity 2 || {{Icon|Time|60}} {{Icon|Automation science pack|1}} {{Icon|Logistic science pack|1}} {{Icon|Chemical science pack|1}} {{Icon|Production science pack|1}} {{Icon|Utility science pack|1}} {{Icon|Space science pack|1}} {{Icon|Agricultural science pack|1}} ✖ <big>3000</big> || Stack size 4, non-bulk inserter capacity +1
|}

== Belt throughput ==
Belt stack size allows more items to stack on a belt, therefore increasing maximum belt throughput.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Belt type
! Base rate (stack size 1)
! Stack inserter researched (stack size 2)
! Belt capacity 1 researched (stack size 3)
! Belt capacity 2 researched (stack size 4)
|-
| {{imagelink|Transport belt}}
| 15 items /s
| 30 items /s
| 45 items /s
| 60 items /s
|-
| {{imagelink|Fast transport belt}}
| 30 items /s
| 60 items /s
| 90 items /s
| 120 items /s
|-
| {{imagelink|Express transport belt}}
| 45 items /s
| 90 items /s
| 135 items /s
| 180 items /s
|-
| {{imagelink|Turbo transport belt}} {{SA}}
| 60 items /s
| 120 items /s
| 180 items /s
| 240 items /s
|-
|}

== History ==
{{History|2.0.7|
* Introduced in [[Space Age]] expansion.
}}

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

{{TechNav}}

Transport belt capacity (research)

2026-02-08T06:36:05Z

Gotube: Add that all inserters can pick up stacked items

{{Languages}}
{{:Infobox:Transport belt capacity (research)}}
{{About/Space age}}
'''Increases''' the [[transport belt]] stack size by 1, up to 4. Only [[stack inserter]]s, [[big mining drill]]s and [[recycler]]s can create belt stacks. All inserters can pick up stacked items, up to their hand capacity.

[[Stack inserter (research)]] introduces a baseline stack size of 2, doubling the throughput compared to non-stacked belts.

{| class="wikitable"
! Technology
! Cost
! Effect
|-
| {{Icontech|Transport belt capacity (research)|1}} Transport belt capacity 1 || {{Icon|Time|60}} {{Icon|Automation science pack|1}} {{Icon|Logistic science pack|1}} {{Icon|Chemical science pack|1}} {{Icon|Production science pack|1}} {{Icon|Utility science pack|1}} {{Icon|Space science pack|1}} {{Icon|Agricultural science pack|1}} ✖ <big>2000</big> || Stack size 3
|-
| {{Icontech|Transport belt capacity (research)|2}} Transport belt capacity 2 || {{Icon|Time|60}} {{Icon|Automation science pack|1}} {{Icon|Logistic science pack|1}} {{Icon|Chemical science pack|1}} {{Icon|Production science pack|1}} {{Icon|Utility science pack|1}} {{Icon|Space science pack|1}} {{Icon|Agricultural science pack|1}} ✖ <big>3000</big> || Stack size 4, non-bulk inserter capacity +1
|}

== Belt throughput ==
Belt stack size allows more items to stack on a belt, therefore increasing maximum belt throughput.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Belt type
! Base rate (stack size 1)
! Stack inserter researched (stack size 2)
! Belt capacity 1 researched (stack size 3)
! Belt capacity 2 researched (stack size 4)
|-
| {{imagelink|Transport belt}}
| 15 items /s
| 30 items /s
| 45 items /s
| 60 items /s
|-
| {{imagelink|Fast transport belt}}
| 30 items /s
| 60 items /s
| 90 items /s
| 120 items /s
|-
| {{imagelink|Express transport belt}}
| 45 items /s
| 90 items /s
| 135 items /s
| 180 items /s
|-
| {{imagelink|Turbo transport belt}} {{SA}}
| 60 items /s
| 120 items /s
| 180 items /s
| 240 items /s
|-
|}

== History ==
{{History|2.0.7|
* Introduced in [[Space Age]] expansion.
}}

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

{{TechNav}}

Stack

2026-02-08T06:34:51Z

Gotube: Clarified "About" template description

{{Languages}}
{{About|stacks of items in inventory slots|vertical stacks of items on belts in [[Space Age]]|Transport belt capacity (research)}}
[[File:inventory_stacks.png|thumb|408px|right|Many stacks in the player's inventory.]]A stack is the basic element in Factorio to store items. One space in an inventory can hold one stack.

== Examples of stacks ==

* The [[player|player's]] inventory
** Main inventory
** Armor, weapon, and ammunition stacks
** Logistic trash slots
** The player's hand (is also a stack)
* [[Vehicle]]s
** [[Car]] (fuel, ammunition, inventory)
** [[Tank]] (fuel, ammunition, inventory)
** [[Spidertron]] (ammunition, inventory)
** [[Railway|Train]] (wagons, engines for fuel)
* [[Chests]]: The archetypal example of stacks outside the player's inventory; a chest is basically just a group of stacks.
* Devices
** [[Furnace]]: Burner stack ([[Stone furnace|stone]] and [[Steel furnace|steel]] furnace only), input and output stack
** [[Assembling machine]]s and [[chemical plant]]s: 1 or more output and 1-6 input stacks, depending on item type being assembled
** [[Lab|Labs]]
** Burner-based: [[Boiler]], [[burner mining drill]], [[burner inserter]]
** [[Roboport]] (filtered for robots and repair packs only)
** [[Gun turret]]
* Special
** [[Inserters]] and [[Robots|worker robots]] (Small, variable-size stacks allow these entities to move items between other stacks. See also the [[Inserter capacity bonus (research)|inserter]] and [[Worker robot cargo size (research)|robot]] stack size bonus research topics.)

== How do stacks work? ==

A stack can store a number of identical items.

The first inserted item determines which item types can be stored. This also indirectly determines how many items can be stored in the stack, as this depends on the item type's maximum stack size.

Only items can be stored within stacks; stacks cannot hold [[Fluid system|liquids]] or other entity types.

=== Stack size ===

The number of items a stack can store. Stack size depends on the item; existing stack sizes and (non-exhaustive) examples include (click to expand):

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!style="width: 100px;" |Stack size
!Examples 
|-
| 1 || [[Nuclear fuel]], [[artillery shell]], [[satellite]], [[modular armor]], [[blueprint]].
|-
| 5 || [[Locomotive]], all [[Wagon|wagons]].
|-
| 10 || [[Roboport]], [[rocket fuel]], [[artillery turret]], [[atomic bomb]], [[low density structure]].
|-
| 20 || Some [[equipment modules]], [[pumpjack]]s.
|-
| 50 || All ores, [[stone]], [[coal]], all [[Module|modules]], [[electric mining drill]], [[electric furnace]], all [[Assembling machine|assemblers]], all [[chests]], all [[inserters]], [[gun turret]], [[laser turret]], all [[Electric_system#Distribution|power poles]] including [[substation]], both types of [[Robots|worker robots]], [[solid fuel]].
|-
| 100 || [[Iron plate]], [[copper plate]], [[steel plate]], [[processing unit]], [[iron gear wheel]], [[stone brick]], all types of [[concrete]], both isotopes of [[Uranium processing|processed uranium]], [[pipe]] (regular), all [[Belt transport system|belts]], [[wall]], [[landfill]].
|-
| 200 || [[Electronic circuit]], [[advanced circuit]], all types of [[Ammunition#Magazines|magazine]], all types of [[tank]] [[Ammunition#Tank shells|cannon shell]], [[copper cable]], both colors of circuit [[Circuit network|wire]], all types of [[science pack]] except space science pack.
|-
| 2,000 || Unique to [[space science pack]], present to allow stacking up to 2 [[Rocket|rockets]]' worth of packs in the [[rocket silo]]'s single output slot.
|}

=== Filtered stacks ===

Stacks can be filtered either by default (in burner-type entities, [[furnace]]s, [[roboport]]s, [[turret]]s, [[lab]]s, and other entities that can only accept one or a few item types in a particular slot), or manually by the player (normally set via the middle mouse button / scroll-wheel click, see [[Keyboard bindings]]). Manual filtering is available for [[cargo wagon]]s, [[car]]s, [[tank]]s, [[spidertron]]s and the player inventory, but not for other types of containers (in particular, [[chests]] of any type).

This can be used to ensure only one item type goes into the inventory space. [[Inserters]] (or [[Robots|bots]], where applicable) will not attempt to insert anything except the allowed item type into filtered slots, and manual insertion of other item types by the player is also not allowed unless and until the filter is cleared.

=== Damaged items ===

Damaged items (i.e, damaged entities now stored as items) stack with other damaged items (of the same type), but not with undamaged items. When items with different amounts of damage are stacked together, the health of the items is averaged.

=== Items with durability ===

Items with durability, such as [[science pack]]s and [[repair pack]]s, always stack with items of the same type, regardless of how much durability remains. The durability displayed on the stack is the durability of the first item. After that item is removed from the stack, a stack of items with full durabilities remains. This means that when multiple items with durabilities are stacked together, their durabilities are merged, which can result in a lower overall item count while the overall remaining durability stays the same.

== Stack size bonuses ==

Inserters and logistic robots can be boosted with research to hold and transfer more items, see:

* [[Inserter capacity bonus (research)]]
* [[Worker robot cargo size (research)]]

== Stack limitation ==

[[File:Stack limiter.jpg|300px|thumb|frame|A [[wooden chest]] limited to three stacks. Once the third stack is full, inserters will no longer attempt to add items.]]

Optionally, the usable space in [[chests]] and [[Cargo wagon|wagons]] can be decreased below their default values. Typically, this is done to store a small amount of items in an automated process, without consuming the resources that would be required to fill the entire container.

To limit a container, click the red X at the end of the last stack. Then, click on one of the stacks to set the new limit. The unused stacks will be highlighted red (see right).

When full, inserters will no longer add to a limited container. However, the player is still free to manually place items in the unused (red) slots.

== Handling stacks ==

There are some [[controls|keyboard and mouse bindings]] to quickly handle movement of stacks between inventories, like moving half of a stack to another stack.

== History ==

In game version 0.10, the number of items which can be stored in a stack changed for most items from powers of 2 to multiples of 10. This change was mainly made because most people find it more intuitive to calculate numbers in a base-10 system.

Example: Before the change, a stack could store 64 iron ore, while after the change it is 50. This created some controversy, as some players preferred the old stack sizes.

{{C|Logistics{{!}}#Stack}} {{C|Storage{{!}}#Stack}}

Stack

2026-02-08T06:34:05Z

Gotube: Added "About" template linking to the page about the unrelated belt stacking technology

{{Languages}}
{{About|stacks of items in inventory slots|stacks of items on belts in [[Space Age]]|Transport belt capacity (research)}}
[[File:inventory_stacks.png|thumb|408px|right|Many stacks in the player's inventory.]]A stack is the basic element in Factorio to store items. One space in an inventory can hold one stack.

== Examples of stacks ==

* The [[player|player's]] inventory
** Main inventory
** Armor, weapon, and ammunition stacks
** Logistic trash slots
** The player's hand (is also a stack)
* [[Vehicle]]s
** [[Car]] (fuel, ammunition, inventory)
** [[Tank]] (fuel, ammunition, inventory)
** [[Spidertron]] (ammunition, inventory)
** [[Railway|Train]] (wagons, engines for fuel)
* [[Chests]]: The archetypal example of stacks outside the player's inventory; a chest is basically just a group of stacks.
* Devices
** [[Furnace]]: Burner stack ([[Stone furnace|stone]] and [[Steel furnace|steel]] furnace only), input and output stack
** [[Assembling machine]]s and [[chemical plant]]s: 1 or more output and 1-6 input stacks, depending on item type being assembled
** [[Lab|Labs]]
** Burner-based: [[Boiler]], [[burner mining drill]], [[burner inserter]]
** [[Roboport]] (filtered for robots and repair packs only)
** [[Gun turret]]
* Special
** [[Inserters]] and [[Robots|worker robots]] (Small, variable-size stacks allow these entities to move items between other stacks. See also the [[Inserter capacity bonus (research)|inserter]] and [[Worker robot cargo size (research)|robot]] stack size bonus research topics.)

== How do stacks work? ==

A stack can store a number of identical items.

The first inserted item determines which item types can be stored. This also indirectly determines how many items can be stored in the stack, as this depends on the item type's maximum stack size.

Only items can be stored within stacks; stacks cannot hold [[Fluid system|liquids]] or other entity types.

=== Stack size ===

The number of items a stack can store. Stack size depends on the item; existing stack sizes and (non-exhaustive) examples include (click to expand):

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!style="width: 100px;" |Stack size
!Examples 
|-
| 1 || [[Nuclear fuel]], [[artillery shell]], [[satellite]], [[modular armor]], [[blueprint]].
|-
| 5 || [[Locomotive]], all [[Wagon|wagons]].
|-
| 10 || [[Roboport]], [[rocket fuel]], [[artillery turret]], [[atomic bomb]], [[low density structure]].
|-
| 20 || Some [[equipment modules]], [[pumpjack]]s.
|-
| 50 || All ores, [[stone]], [[coal]], all [[Module|modules]], [[electric mining drill]], [[electric furnace]], all [[Assembling machine|assemblers]], all [[chests]], all [[inserters]], [[gun turret]], [[laser turret]], all [[Electric_system#Distribution|power poles]] including [[substation]], both types of [[Robots|worker robots]], [[solid fuel]].
|-
| 100 || [[Iron plate]], [[copper plate]], [[steel plate]], [[processing unit]], [[iron gear wheel]], [[stone brick]], all types of [[concrete]], both isotopes of [[Uranium processing|processed uranium]], [[pipe]] (regular), all [[Belt transport system|belts]], [[wall]], [[landfill]].
|-
| 200 || [[Electronic circuit]], [[advanced circuit]], all types of [[Ammunition#Magazines|magazine]], all types of [[tank]] [[Ammunition#Tank shells|cannon shell]], [[copper cable]], both colors of circuit [[Circuit network|wire]], all types of [[science pack]] except space science pack.
|-
| 2,000 || Unique to [[space science pack]], present to allow stacking up to 2 [[Rocket|rockets]]' worth of packs in the [[rocket silo]]'s single output slot.
|}

=== Filtered stacks ===

Stacks can be filtered either by default (in burner-type entities, [[furnace]]s, [[roboport]]s, [[turret]]s, [[lab]]s, and other entities that can only accept one or a few item types in a particular slot), or manually by the player (normally set via the middle mouse button / scroll-wheel click, see [[Keyboard bindings]]). Manual filtering is available for [[cargo wagon]]s, [[car]]s, [[tank]]s, [[spidertron]]s and the player inventory, but not for other types of containers (in particular, [[chests]] of any type).

This can be used to ensure only one item type goes into the inventory space. [[Inserters]] (or [[Robots|bots]], where applicable) will not attempt to insert anything except the allowed item type into filtered slots, and manual insertion of other item types by the player is also not allowed unless and until the filter is cleared.

=== Damaged items ===

Damaged items (i.e, damaged entities now stored as items) stack with other damaged items (of the same type), but not with undamaged items. When items with different amounts of damage are stacked together, the health of the items is averaged.

=== Items with durability ===

Items with durability, such as [[science pack]]s and [[repair pack]]s, always stack with items of the same type, regardless of how much durability remains. The durability displayed on the stack is the durability of the first item. After that item is removed from the stack, a stack of items with full durabilities remains. This means that when multiple items with durabilities are stacked together, their durabilities are merged, which can result in a lower overall item count while the overall remaining durability stays the same.

== Stack size bonuses ==

Inserters and logistic robots can be boosted with research to hold and transfer more items, see:

* [[Inserter capacity bonus (research)]]
* [[Worker robot cargo size (research)]]

== Stack limitation ==

[[File:Stack limiter.jpg|300px|thumb|frame|A [[wooden chest]] limited to three stacks. Once the third stack is full, inserters will no longer attempt to add items.]]

Optionally, the usable space in [[chests]] and [[Cargo wagon|wagons]] can be decreased below their default values. Typically, this is done to store a small amount of items in an automated process, without consuming the resources that would be required to fill the entire container.

To limit a container, click the red X at the end of the last stack. Then, click on one of the stacks to set the new limit. The unused stacks will be highlighted red (see right).

When full, inserters will no longer add to a limited container. However, the player is still free to manually place items in the unused (red) slots.

== Handling stacks ==

There are some [[controls|keyboard and mouse bindings]] to quickly handle movement of stacks between inventories, like moving half of a stack to another stack.

== History ==

In game version 0.10, the number of items which can be stored in a stack changed for most items from powers of 2 to multiples of 10. This change was mainly made because most people find it more intuitive to calculate numbers in a base-10 system.

Example: Before the change, a stack could store 64 iron ore, while after the change it is 50. This created some controversy, as some players preferred the old stack sizes.

{{C|Logistics{{!}}#Stack}} {{C|Storage{{!}}#Stack}}

Inserters

2026-02-08T06:00:41Z

Gotube: /* Energy Costs */ Added missing apostrophe

{{Languages}}
''For the common yellow electrical inserter, see [[Inserter]].''

'''Inserters''' are devices which are used to move items over short distances. When placed, they have a fixed direction. They can move items from behind and place them in front of them. By doing this, they can move items from one transport belt to another, but also extract items from—and insert items into—machines or storage devices.

== Types of inserters ==
{| class="wikitable"
| {{Imagelink|Burner inserter}} || The only [[fuel]]-powered inserter, with the slowest speed.
|-
| {{Imagelink|Inserter}} || The standard electrical inserter.
|-
| {{Imagelink|Long-handed inserter}} || Capable of inserting and removing items from a greater distance.
|-
| {{Imagelink|Fast inserter}} || Much faster than the inserter.
|-
| {{Imagelink|Bulk inserter}} || As fast as the fast inserter, but can move many more items at the same time at once.
|-
| {{Imagelink|Stack inserter|space-age=yes}} || As fast as the bulk inserter, but can stack items on a belt.
|}

== Mechanics ==
Inserters '''will''':
* Pick up items off the ground, off of a [[Transport belts|transport belt]], or from any object that has storage space, such as [[Chests|chests]], [[furnace]]s [[assembling machine]]s or [[vehicle]]s.
* Place the item onto the ground, onto a transport belt, or into any object that has storage space.
* Run at slower speeds when starved for energy.
* Pick up as many items as their [[inserter capacity bonus (research)|stack size]] allows at once, if they do not have to wait too long to pick them up.
* Pick up items and drop them into the void of space or lava, permanently destroying them. This is useful for getting rid of unwanted items.

Inserters '''will not''':
* Pick up any items that cannot be inserted into the adjacent entity.
* Pick up any items if the adjacent entity is a [[ghost]].
* Pick up items to place into an entity with a full inventory.
* Place more than one item at a time onto the same ground tile.
* Place items into an entity that cannot hold them, for example due to [[Stack#Filtered_stacks|filtered]] or [[Stack#Stack_limitation|limited slots]].
* Fill up the entire target inventory of [[boiler]]s, [[nuclear reactor]]s, [[:Category:Producers|production building]]s, [[furnace]]s and [[turret]]s.

If two or more inserters are picking up from the same tile, the inserter who can grab the items the fastest will grab them first. Besides faster inserters, this favors inserters taking from the inner lane of a transport belt.

=== Insertion limits ===
Depending on where an inserter is moving items, it does not always fill up the entire target inventory. This allows other inserters taking from the same transport belt to pick up their share of the items. For example, if a boiler has 5 or more items of fuel in it, an inserter will not insert additional fuel. This allows the other fuel to travel further down the transport belt. When the fuel drops below 5 items, the inserter will resume inserting fuel, up to the limit of 5 items.

{| class="wikitable"
! Entity !! Item type !! Automatic insertion limit
|-
| [[Boiler]]s, [[burner inserter]]s, [[furnace]]s, and [[nuclear reactor]]s || [[Fuel]] || align="center" | 5
|-
| [[Gun turret]]s || Bullet Magazines || align="center" | 10
|-
| [[Artillery turret]]s || [[Artillery shell]]s || align="center" | 5
|-
| [[Assembling machine]]s, [[furnace]]s, [[centrifuge]]s, [[chemical plant]]s, and [[Oil refinery|oil refineries]]|| Items needed for the recipe || The ingredients for 1 craft in addition to the ingredients for the number of crafts that can be completed during one full inserter swing; but at least the ingredients for 2 crafts and at most the ingredients for 100 crafts.[https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?p=309796#p309796]
|-
| [[Lab]]s || [[Science pack]]s || The number of science packs needed for one research unit in addition to the science packs for the number of research units that can be completed during one full inserter swing; but at least the ingredients for 2 research units and at most the ingredients for 100 research units.
|}

An inserter that has a higher [[inserter capacity bonus (research)|inserter capacity bonus]] than 1 can overfill the target building, due to the inserter picking up a higher amount of items than needed. Overfilling can also occur if multiple inserters are used to insert items into one building.

=== Inserters and transport belts ===
[[Transport belts]] have two lanes on which items can travel. Inserters only place items onto one side of the belt, either the far side from the inserter's perspective or if the belt is going the same or the opposite direction as the inserter the right side from the belt's perspective.

<gallery mode="nolines" class="center" widths=300px heights=350px>
File:Inserter_dropoff_locations.gif| Inserters place the item on the furthest lane. If a belt is in the same orientation as the inserter, the item will be placed on the right-hand lane, from the belt's perspective. In curves the inserter always places on the far side.
File:Inserter_pickup_locations.gif| If the belt is perpendicular to the inserter, inserters '''prefer''' taking items from the nearest lane. If the nearest lane is empty, the inserter will take from the far lane. If the belt is the same/opposite orientation of the inserter or a curve, the inserter '''prefers''' taking from the left lane, from the belt's perspective. If the left lane is empty it will take from the right lane.
</gallery>

=== Potential issues ===
Inserters may have problems picking up items:

* From very fast belts, because the items are moving too quickly.
* From the entry or exit of an underground belt (because the time they have to pick up is shorter)
* From turning belts if the item is on the inside of the corner

== Inserter speed ==
[[File:all_inserter_speeds.gif|frame|right|Animation showing all inserter speeds at once.]]
{| class="wikitable"
! Type
! Rotation-speed (turns per [[Time#Ticks|tick]]) Extension-speed ([[Map_structure#Tile|Tiles]] per Tick)
! Turns per [[Time#Seconds|Game-second]]
! Game-second per full turn
! Ticks per full turn
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Burner inserter}} || 0.013 0.035 || ~0.7895 || ~1.267 || 76
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Inserter}} || 0.014 0.035 || ~0.857 || ~1.167 || 70
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Long-handed inserter}} || 0.02 0.05 || 1.2 || 0.833 || 50
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Fast inserter}} {{Imagelink|Bulk inserter}} {{Imagelink|Stack inserter|space-age=yes}} || 0.04 0.1 || 2.5 || 0.4 || 24
|}

'''Note:''' The speeds per tick come directly from the [https://github.com/wube/factorio-data/tree/master/base/prototypes/entity factorio-data github repository], while the other values have been verified empirically in game. Discrepancies are due to rounding errors during the games runtime, so the empirical values are more accurate when dealing with speeds.

=== Rotation Speed ===
Convention: 2π rad = 100% of a circle rotation = '''1 turn''' (or one full rotation).

Note:
* An Inserter doesn't always need to make full turns. When grabbing from a transport belt, it is slightly faster when grabbing items from the closest lane.
* If the rotation speed of an inserter would result in an odd number of ticks per full turn, the actual number of ticks per full turn for this inserter is truncated to be the next lowest even number. The reason for this is that the inserter needs to do two half turns to pick and drop an item. This takes a certain number of ticks two times, therefore the number of ticks for the full turn is always an even number. Example: The Fast inserter's rotation speed of 864°/s or 0.04 turns per tick would result in 25 ticks per full turn, but the inserter cannot do a half turn in "12.5 ticks", so it actually takes 2×12 = 24 ticks per full turn.

=== Extension Speed ===
The extension-speed is normally not visible (only when compared to other inserters), but there are measurable speed differences when taking - for example - from the near or the far side of a belt. Also Some mods can alter the pickup and drop locations of inserters, making this stat more relevant.

== Inserter Throughput ==

=== Chest to chest ===
'''Note:''' Experimental data from 2.0.26, recorded in this doc [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L8Td5o6TAicGi-TPwzh4lz2YiH0n7Jkpp3E8FxNpnAs/edit?usp=sharing]. Chest to chest transfer transfers the entire hand size during a single tick, so most of the time is spent during the swing to and from.

{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan=2 | Type
! rowspan=2 | Arm cycles per second (ticks per cycle)
! colspan=8 | Items/second at [[inserter capacity bonus (research)|capacity bonus]] level (stack size)
|-
! colspan=2 | No capacity bonus
! colspan=2 | Capacity bonus 2
! colspan=2 | Capacity bonus 7
! colspan=2 | [[Transport belt capacity (research)|Transport belt stacking]] {{SA}}
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Burner inserter}} || {{Quality | 0.79 (76 ticks) | 1.03 (58 ticks) | 1.25 (48 ticks) | 1.5 (40 ticks) | 2 (30 ticks) }}
|| {{ Quality | 0.79 |1.03 |1.25|1.5 |2 }}
|| (1)
|| {{ Quality | 1.58 |2.07 |2.5|3 |4 }}
|| (2)
|| {{ Quality | 2.37 |3.10 |3.75|4.5 |6 }}
|| (3)
|| {{ Quality | 3.16 |4.14 |5|6 |8 }}
|| (4)
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Inserter}} || {{Quality | 0.86 (70 ticks) | 1.03 (58 ticks) | 1.36 (44 ticks) | 1.67 (36 ticks) | 2.14 (28 ticks) }}
|| {{ Quality | 0.86 |1.11 |1.36|1.67 |2.14 }}
|| (1)
|| {{ Quality | 1.71 |2.22 |2.73|3.33 |4.29 }}
|| (2)
|| {{ Quality | 2.57 |3.33 |4.09|5 |6.43 }}
|| (3)
|| {{ Quality | 3.43 |4.44 |5.45|6.67 |8.57 }}
|| (4)
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Long-handed inserter}} || {{Quality | 1.2 (50 ticks) | 1.58 (38 ticks) | 2 (30 ticks) | 2.31 (26 ticks) | 3.33 (18 ticks) }}
|| {{ Quality | 1.2 |1.58 |2|2.31 |3.33 }}
|| (1)
|| {{ Quality | 2.4 |3.16 |4|4.62 |6.67 }}
|| (2)
|| {{ Quality | 3.6 |4.74 |6|6.92 |10 }}
|| (3)
|| {{ Quality | 4.8 |6.32 |8|9.23 |13.33 }}
|| (4)
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Fast inserter}} || {{Quality | 2.5 (24 ticks) | 3.33 (18 ticks) | 4.29 (14 ticks) | 5 (12 ticks) | 7.5 (8 ticks) }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.5 |3.33 | 4.29 | 5 | 7.5 }}
|| (1)
|| {{ Quality | 5 |6.67 | 8.57 | 10 | 15 }}
|| (2)
|| {{ Quality | 7.5 |10 |12.86|15 |22.5 }}
|| (3)
|| {{ Quality | 10 |13.33 |17.14|20 |30 }}
|| (4)
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Bulk inserter}} || {{Quality | 2.5 (24 ticks) | 3.33 (18 ticks) | 4.29 (14 ticks) | 5 (12 ticks) | 7.5 (8 ticks) }}
|| {{ Quality | 5 |6.673 | 8.57 | 10 | 15 }}
|| (2)
|| {{ Quality | 10 |13.33 |17.14|20 |30 }}
|| (4)
|| {{ Quality | 30 |40 |51.43|60 |90 }}
|| (12)
|| {{ Quality | 30 |40 |51.43|60 |90 }}
|| (12)
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Stack inserter|space-age=yes}} || {{Quality | 2.5 (24 ticks) | 3.33 (18 ticks) | 4.29 (14 ticks) | 5 (12 ticks) | 7.5 (8 ticks) }}
|| {{ Quality | 15 |20 | 25.71 | 30 | 45 }}
|| (6)
|| {{ Quality | 20 |26.67 | 34.29 | 40 | 60 }}
|| (8)
|| {{ Quality | 40 | 53.33 | 68.57 | 80 | 120 }}
|| (16)
|| {{ Quality | 40 | 53.33 | 68.57 | 80 | 120 }}
|| (16)
|}

=== Chest to belt ===
Throughput going from chest to belt depends on how full the belt is. An inserter will not put down an item on a belt that has items back-to-back (aka full compression) - it waits until there is a gap. However, if the gap is narrower than the item, then the items upstream on the belt will stop to make room for the item being inserted. The direction of the belt compared to the inserter does not matter however.

In these measurements inserters move items onto an empty belt. Values are given for the stack sizes at four different [[inserter capacity bonus (research)|capacity bonus]] levels.

'''Note:''' Experimental data from 2.0

<div style="display:inline-block; width: 100%; overflow-x: auto; vertical-align:top; margin-right:20px;">
{|class="wikitable" min-width: 100%;
! rowspan="3" | Type
! colspan="20" | Items/second at [[inserter capacity bonus (research)|capacity bonus]] level (stack size)
|-
! colspan="5" | No capacity bonus
! colspan="5" | Capacity Bonus 2
! colspan="5" | Capacity bonus 7
! colspan="5" | [[Transport belt capacity (research)|Transport belt stacking]] {{SA}}
|-
! [[File:Transport belt.png|link=Transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Fast transport belt.png|link=Fast transport belt|32px ]] || [[File:Express transport belt.png|link=Express transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Turbo transport belt.png|link=Turbo transport belt|32px]] ||
! [[File:Transport belt.png|link=Transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Fast transport belt.png|link=Fast transport belt|32px ]] || [[File:Express transport belt.png|link=Express transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Turbo transport belt.png|link=Turbo transport belt|32px]] ||
! [[File:Transport belt.png|link=Transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Fast transport belt.png|link=Fast transport belt|32px ]] || [[File:Express transport belt.png|link=Express transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Turbo transport belt.png|link=Turbo transport belt|32px]] ||
! [[File:Transport belt.png|link=Transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Fast transport belt.png|link=Fast transport belt|32px ]] || [[File:Express transport belt.png|link=Express transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Turbo transport belt.png|link=Turbo transport belt|32px]] ||
|-
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Burner inserter}}
|| {{ Quality | 0.78 | 1.03 | 1.25 | 1.5 | 2 }}
|| {{ Quality | 0.78 | 1.03 | 1.25 | 1.5 | 2 }}
|| {{ Quality | 0.78 | 1.03 | 1.25 | 1.5 | 2 }}
|| {{ Quality | 0.78 | 1.03 | 1.25 | 1.5 | 2 }}
|| (1)
|| {{ Quality | 1.57 | 2.03 | 2.43 | 2.93 | 3.87 }}
|| {{ Quality | 1.57 | 2.03 | 2.43 | 2.93 | 3.87 }}
|| {{ Quality | 1.57 | 2.03 | 2.43 | 2.93 | 3.87 }}
|| {{ Quality | 1.57 | 2.03 | 2.43 | 2.93 | 3.87 }}
|| (2)
|| {{ Quality | 2.15 | 2.72 | 3.2 | 3.75 | 4.75 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.25 | 2.9 | 3.45 | 4.1 | 5.3 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.3 | 3 | 3.6 | 4.3 | 5.6 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.3 | 3 | 3.6 | 4.3 | 5.6 }}
|| (3)
|| {{ Quality | 2.6 | 3.27 | 3.73 | 4.27 | 5.2 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.87 | 3.65 | 4.27 | 5 | 6.33 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.93 | 3.8 | 4.53 | 5.33 | 6.87 }}
|| {{ Quality | 3 | 3.87 | 4.6 | 5.47 | 7.07 }}
|| (4)
|-
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Inserter}}
|| {{ Quality | 0.85 | 1.12 | 1.37 | 1.67 | 2.13 }}
|| {{ Quality | 0.85 | 1.12 | 1.37 | 1.67 | 2.13 }}
|| {{ Quality | 0.85 | 1.12 | 1.37 | 1.67 | 2.13 }}
|| {{ Quality | 0.85 | 1.12 | 1.37 | 1.67 | 2.13 }}
|| (1)
|| {{ Quality | 1.7 | 2.17 | 2.67 | 3.23 | 4.13 }}
|| {{ Quality | 1.7 | 2.17 | 2.67 | 3.23 | 4.13 }}
|| {{ Quality | 1.7 | 2.17 | 2.67 | 3.23 | 4.13 }}
|| {{ Quality | 1.7 | 2.17 | 2.67 | 3.23 | 4.13 }}
|| (2)
|| {{ Quality | 2.3 | 2.9 | 3.45 | 4.1 | 5 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.45 | 3.1 | 3.75 | 4.5 | 5.6 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.5 | 3.2 | 3.9 | 4.75 | 6 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.5 | 3.2 | 3.9 | 4.75 | 6 }}
|| (3)
|| {{ Quality | 2.8 | 3.43 | 4 | 4.6 | 5.47 }}
|| {{ Quality | 3.07 | 3.87 | 4.6 | 5.47 | 6.67 }}
|| {{ Quality | 3.2 | 4.07 | 4.87 | 5.87 | 7.27 }}
|| {{ Quality | 3.27 | 4.13 | 5 | 6 | 7.48 }}
|| (4)
|-
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Long-handed inserter}}
|| {{ Quality | 1.2 | 1.58 | 2 | 2.3 | 3.33 }}
|| {{ Quality | 1.2 | 1.58 | 2 | 2.3 | 3.33 }}
|| {{ Quality | 1.2 | 1.58 | 2 | 2.3 | 3.33 }}
|| {{ Quality | 1.2 | 1.58 | 2 | 2.3 | 3.33 }}
|| (1)
|| {{ Quality | 2.33 | 3 | 3.87 | 4.43 | 6.3 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.33 | 3 | 3.87 | 4.43 | 6.3 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.33 | 3 | 3.87 | 4.43 | 6.3 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.33 | 3 | 3.87 | 4.43 | 6.3 }}
|| (2)
|| {{ Quality | 3.1 | 3.9 | 4.75 | 5.3 | 6.92 }}
|| {{ Quality | 3.35 | 4.3 | 5.3 | 6 | 8.18 }}
|| {{ Quality | 3.45 | 4.5 | 5.6 | 6.4 | 9 }}
|| {{ Quality | 3.45 | 4.5 | 5.6 | 6.4 | 9 }}
|| (3)
|| {{ Quality | 3.65 | 4.45 | 5.20 | 5.72 | 7.07 }}
|| {{ Quality | 4.13 | 5.2 | 6.33 | 7.07 | 9.23 }}
|| {{ Quality | 4.33 | 5.6 | 6.87 | 7.73 | 10.43 }}
|| {{ Quality | 4.47 | 5.73 | 7.07 | 8 | 10.92 }}
|| (4)
|-
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Fast inserter}}
|| {{ Quality | 2.5 | 3.33 | 4.28 | 5 | 7.5 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.5 | 3.33 | 4.28 | 5 | 7.5 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.5 | 3.33 | 4.28 | 5 | 7.5 }}
|| {{ Quality | 2.5 | 3.33 | 4.28 | 5 | 7.5 }}
|| (1)
|| {{ Quality | 4.8 | 6.3 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.52 }}
|| {{ Quality | 4.8 | 6.3 | 8 | 9.23 | 13.33 }}
|| {{ Quality | 4.8 | 6.3 | 8 | 9.23 | 13.33 }}
|| {{ Quality | 4.8 | 6.3 | 8 | 9.23 | 13.33 }}
|| (2)
|| {{ Quality | 5.62 | 6.92 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.52 }}
|| {{ Quality | 6.42 | 8.18 | 10 | 11.25 | 15 }}
|| {{ Quality | 6.9 | 9 | 11.25 | 12.85 | 18 }}
|| {{ Quality | 6.9 | 9 | 11.25 | 12.85 | 18 }}
|| (3)
|| {{ Quality | 6 | 7.07 | 7.5 | 7.52 | 7.52 }}
|| {{ Quality | 7.5 | 9.23 | 10.92 | 12 | 15 }}
|| {{ Quality | 8.27 | 10.43 | 12.62 | 14.13 | 18.47 }}
|| {{ Quality | 8.58 | 10.92 | 13.33 | 15 | 20 }}
|| (4)
|-
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Bulk inserter}}
|| {{ Quality | 4.8 | 6.3 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.52 }}
|| {{ Quality | 4.8 | 6.3 | 8 | 9.23 | 13.33 }}
|| {{ Quality | 4.8 | 6.3 | 8 | 9.23 | 13.33 }}
|| {{ Quality | 4.8 | 6.3 | 8 | 9.23 | 13.33 }}
|| (2)
|| {{ Quality | 6 | 7.07 | 7.5 | 7.52 | 7.52 }}
|| {{ Quality | 7.5 | 9.23 | 10.92 | 12 | 15 }}
|| {{ Quality | 8.27 | 10.43 | 12.62 | 14.13 | 18.47 }}
|| {{ Quality | 8.58 | 10.92 | 13.33 | 15 | 20 }}
|| (4)
|| {{ Quality | 6.93 | 7.35 | 7.5 | 7.52 | 7.52 }}
|| {{ Quality | 11.23 | 12.4 | 13.33 | 13.85 | 15 }}
|| {{ Quality | 14.4 | 16.38 | 18 | 18.95 | 21.18 }}
|| {{ Quality | 16.4 | 18.97 | 21.2 | 22.5 | 25.72 }}
|| (12)
|| {{ Quality | 6.93 | 7.35 | 7.5 | 7.52 | 7.52 }}
|| {{ Quality | 11.12 | 12.4 | 13.33 | 13.85 | 15 }}
|| {{ Quality | 14.4 | 16.38 | 18 | 18.95 | 21.18 }}
|| {{ Quality | 16.4 | 18.97 | 21.2 | 22.5 | 25.72 }}
|| (12)
|-
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Stack inserter|space-age=yes}}
|| {{ Quality | 11.27 | 13.87 | 15 | 15 | 15.03 }}
|| {{ Quality | 12.87 | 16.37 | 20 | 22.5 | 30 }}
|| {{ Quality | 13.8 | 18 | 22.5 | 25.7 | 36 }}
|| {{ Quality | 13.8 | 18 | 22.5 | 25.7 | 36 }}
|| (6)
|| {{ Quality | 12 | 14.13 | 15 | 15.03 | 15.03 }}
|| {{ Quality | 15 | 18.47 | 21.83 | 24 | 30 }}
|| {{ Quality | 16.53 | 20.87 | 25.23 | 28.27 | 36.93 }}
|| {{ Quality | 17.17 | 21.83 | 26.67 | 30 | 40 }}
|| (8)
|| {{ Quality | 13.33 | 14.57 | 15 | 15.03 | 15.03 }}
|| {{ Quality | 20 | 22.87 | 25.27 | 26.67 | 30 }}
|| {{ Quality | 24 | 28.27 | 32 | 34.3 | 40 }}
|| {{ Quality | 26.67 | 32 | 36.9 | 40 | 48 }}
|| (16)
|| {{ Quality | 24 | 28.27 | 30 | 30.07 | 30.07 }}
|| {{ Quality | 30 | 36.93 | 43.67 | 48 | 60 }}
|| {{ Quality | 33.07 | 41.73 | 50.47 | 56.53 | 73.87 }}
|| {{ Quality | 34.33 | 43.67 | 53.33 | 60 | 80 }}
|| (16)
|}
</div>

=== Chest to splitter ===
When an inserter drops items onto the side of a perpendicular splitter, it always is considered to do so on the input side, enabling the splitter to move half of the items to the other belt (assuming that the splitter filter/priority settings allow it to do so and that there is available space on both belts). This allows the inserter to drop its items more quickly. A bulk inserter with capacity bonus 7 can move 16.0 items/second instead of the usual 14.4 items/second.

<gallery mode="nolines" class="center" widths=400px heights=250px>
File:Inserter to splitter comparison.gif|By inserting onto the side of a splitter, a fully-upgraded bulk inserter can fill 71% of an express belt lane instead of the usual 64%. (Gif from 1.1)
File:Inserter belt saturation.gif|In 1.1, three bulk inserters could saturate an express belt if one of them inserts onto a splitter. In 2.0, three bulk inserters can saturate an express belt if two of them insert onto splitters. (Gif from 1.1)
</gallery>

===Belt to chest (perpendicular)===

'''Note:''' The following is based on experimental data from [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Q4hxL69qrK3qeEKU8aDkuwM3gJy6I2dJ4FYSs-FQUpI/edit?usp=sharing 1.1].
Most of the 1.1 experimental data was gathered using the following circuit blueprint to measure the exact tick difference between inserter swings. A lot of the data on this page (specifically the belt to chest data) relies heavily on the conditions of the setup on which the measurements are done. If your setup differs from the ones tested on this page, you can use the following blueprint to do the measurements yourself.

{{BlueprintString|bp-string=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}}

When picking items from a belt, many more factors come into play besides belt fullness:

* How fast the items move (i.e. if they are queued up on the belt or move at belt speed).
* Whether the belt is perpendicular to the inserter or approaches it head on.
* Whether items are on the near or far lane of a perpendicular belt.
* Whether the belt turns or not, and whether the items are in the inner or outer side of the bend.
* If the belt is an underground entrance or exit. This shortens the time items are visible to the inserter for pickup.
* All sorts of intricate timing factors between the inserter and the items on the belt, since the game simulates the arm homing in on every item.

The test setup used below is with an inserter taking items from a perpendicular belt with items on the far lane only. The belt is fully compressed and timings are both for items that move at full speed and queued up as much as possible. Values are given for the stack sizes at three different [[inserter capacity bonus (research)|capacity bonus]] levels.

{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan=4 | Type
! colspan=15 | Items/second at [[inserter capacity bonus (research)|capacity bonus]] level (stack size)
|-
! colspan=5 | No capacity bonus
! colspan=5 | Capacity bonus 2
! colspan=5 | Capacity bonus 7
|-
! colspan=3 | Items at belt speed
! rowspan=2 | Items queued up
! rowspan=2 |
! colspan=3 | Items at belt speed
! rowspan=2 | Items queued up
! rowspan=2 |
! colspan=3 | Items at belt speed
! rowspan=2 | Items queued up
! rowspan=2 |
|-
! [[File:Transport belt.png|link=Transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Fast transport belt.png|link=Fast transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Express transport belt.png|link=Express transport belt|32px]]
! [[File:Transport belt.png|link=Transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Fast transport belt.png|link=Fast transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Express transport belt.png|link=Express transport belt|32px]]
! [[File:Transport belt.png|link=Transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Fast transport belt.png|link=Fast transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Express transport belt.png|link=Express transport belt|32px]]
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Burner inserter}} || 0.60 || '''0.65''' || 0.50 || 0.64 || (1) || 1.11 || '''1.20''' || 1.13 || 1.26 || (2) || 1.61 || 1.61 || '''1.65''' || 1.71 / 1.73 / 1.86 * || (3)
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Inserter}} || '''0.94''' || '''0.94''' || '''0.94''' || 0.88 || (1) || '''1.67''' || '''1.67''' || 1.50 || 1.74 || (2) || '''2.50''' || 2.25 || 2.33 || 2.37 / 2.37 / 2.54 * || (3)
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Long-handed inserter}} || 1.18 || 1.18 || '''1.25''' || 1.20 || (1) || 2.20 || 2.31 || '''2.40''' || 2.40 || (2) || 3.21 || 3.21 || '''3.46''' || 3.40 || (3)
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Fast inserter}} || '''2.50''' || 2.31 || '''2.50''' || 2.50 || (1) || 4.50 || 4.29 || '''5.00''' || 4.80 || (2) || '''6.43''' || 6.00 || '''6.43''' || 6.43 || (3)
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Bulk inserter}} || 4.50 || 4.29 || '''5.00''' || 4.80 || (2) || 7.50 || 7.50 || '''8.00''' || 7.50 / 8.57 / 8.28 * || (4) || 7.50 || 11.25 || '''15.00''' || 7.50 / 13.09 / 15.32 * || (12)
|}

<nowiki>*)</nowiki> Throughput for basic/fast/express belt.

Since there are many more factors involved, these measurements exhibit a more complex pattern than chest-to-belt.

* Boldface cells show for which belt each inserter has the best throughput on each bonus level when items move at belt speed. Higher speed belts mean that inserters have to work harder to catch the fast moving items. The effect is most noticeable for slower inserters and smaller stack sizes.
* When items are queued up the belt type hardly matters, so there is only a single column for that. The exceptions are the stack inserters - for basic transport belts it's the belt that sets the limit for stack sizes above 4, and there is also a notable difference between fast and express belts.

=== Belt to Chest (facing inserter) ===
'''Note:''' Experimental data from 1.1

When picking up items from a belt facing the inserter, there are multiple small differences between different setups. The following throughput tests are performed with [[express transport belt]]s and [[bulk inserter]]s with the maximum [[inserter capacity bonus (research)|capacity bonus]].
Each setup in the following picture shows the amount of ticks per cycle of the inserter and the amount of items per second the inserter moves. These measurements are consistent in all orientations of the setup.

[[File:Inserter_belt_to_chest_throughput.png|center|900px]]

=== Insertion into lava/space ===

In [[Space Age]], inserters can dump items into lava on [[Vulcanus]] or into space on [[Space platform]]s. This act however is not as fast as inserting into a chest or similar container.

When inserting into lava/space, one item is removed from the inserter's hand every tick. So a [[stack inserter]] holding 16 items requires 16 ticks to dump its contents into lava/space. By contrast, when inserting into a container, the entire hand size is placed in the container in 1 tick.

== Power usage ==
Inserter power draw is determined by several factors.

Firstly like most machines, all of the inserters (with the exception of the burner) have drain. Drain is the energy cost of existence, and is expended constantly as long as the inserter exists on the power grid, regardless of activity or lack thereof.

Inserters also have a two costs associated with movement. These costs are applied separately and cumulatively for rotational motion as well as extension/retraction.

Lastly, inserters exhibit a power spike when acquiring and dropping off an item. This can be referred to as "item spike" because it is typically observed directly after item interaction. This is because after receiving/delivering an item it will begin extending/retracting a distance of 0.2 units (distance sourced from [https://github.com/wube/factorio-data/blob/master/base/prototypes/entity/entities.lua source code]). This power cost associated with linear movement is significantly more expensive than that of rotational movement, hence the sharp increase in power consumption.

[[File:Yellow Inserter Power Spikes.png|thumb|Power Consumption graph of Yellow Inserter]]

Here we can see that for the duration of the lateral movement the power consumption is significantly higher.

Burner Inserters, despite not using electricity, also have the same power consumption characteristics as the rest of the inserters (excluding drain). Upon accepting fuel they will replenish something resembling an internal battery, and draw from it in the same manner other inserters draw from the power grid, item spikes and all. Aside from their exclusion from drain, Burner Inserters function identically to other Inserters.

=== Energy Costs ===

[[File:Inserter Testing Setup.png|thumb|Inserter Testing Setup]]

It's important to note that due to rounding errors the games values cannot be taken at face value when doing calculations, so a blend of theoretical and empirical methods must be used to ensure accuracy. More information can be viewed here at this [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?t=128389 forum topic]

The game calculates inserter power based on its hard coded power modifiers:

'''Inserter Power Modifiers (kJ)'''

These values are derived from [https://github.com/wube/factorio-data/blob/master/base/prototypes/entity/entities.lua source code]

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Burner !! Yellow!! Red!! Blue !! Green !! Stack
|-
| 50 || 5 || 5 || 7 || 20 || 40
|-
|}

The way the game uses these values is it takes the game's programmed speed in ticks (which can be found higher up on the page), and then uses that alongside these numbers to derive a wattage, using the following equation:

<code>Speed × Power Modifier × Ticks per second</code>

Applying the equation we can derive the following values:

'''Cost of rotational movement in kW'''

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Burner !! Yellow!! Red!! Blue !! Green !! Stack
|-
| 39 || 4.2 || 6 || 16.8 || 48 || 96
|-
|}

'''Cost of linear movement in kW'''

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Burner !! Yellow!! Red!! Blue !! Green !! Stack
|-
| 105 || 10.5 || 15 || 42 || 120 || 240
|-
|}

Taking these two values and adding them together, alongside drain, will give you your max power. It is critical to note that while the duration of consumption is affected by rounding errors in the game like the time per spin and so on, the actual wattage is unaffected by these rounding errors. Just because the inserter spins slightly faster than in the games code doesn't mean it uses slightly more wattage, it still demands the same wattage.

Your rotational power is used during the entire time the inserter is spinning, while the the extension cost is only used briefly during item interaction, causing item spike. By calculating the duration of both you can accurately calculate how many joules your inserter is using in any given situation. Just like with the rotational speeds, item spike duration is subject to rounding errors from the game. You can calculate it by taking the games rated distance of 0.2 and dividing it by the inserters rated speed, and then truncating the number. To save you some hassle here is a reference table

'''Tick duration of Item Spike'''

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Burner !! Yellow!! Red!! Blue !! Green !! Stack
|-
| 5 || 5 || 4 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
|}

Knowing these values, energy cost is easy to calculate, and is linear to inserter utilization. This means if your inserter is only running half the time, it will only use half the power, with the exception of drain which remains constant in all situations.

'''Cost per transfer cycle in kJ'''

These values are isolated from drain. Values were theoretically derived and empirically confirmed for accuracy. [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?t=128389 More information]

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Burner !! Yellow!! Red!! Blue !! Green !! Stack
|-
| 66.9 || 6.65 || 7 || 8.12 || 23.2 || 46.4
|-
|}

=== Inserter Efficiency ===

The above data can be used to compare inserter efficiency directly. Remember that the transfer cycle cost remains the same regardless of how many items are moved. This means that the later inserters with their larger stack sizes can outperform other inserters despite their higher transfer cost, since they can achieve a lower cost per item. Here are some graphs of chest-to-chest data showing the efficiency of different inserters at differing stack sizes. Because the other inserters maintain a proportional relationship (as in an identical stack size) these graphs will primarily focus on highlighting the Green Inserter and new Stack Inserter. Dots have been marked at the turning point where they overtake the other inserters in consumption

<gallery mode="slideshow">
File:Inserter Efficiency Graph (No Capacity Bonus).png||No Capacity Bonus
File:Inserter Efficiency Graph (Capacity Bonus 2).png|Capacity Bonus 2
File:Inserter Efficiency Graph (Capacity Bonus 4).png|Capacity Bonus 4
File:Inserter Efficiency Graph (Capacity Bonus 5) .png|Capacity Bonus 5
File:Inserter Efficiency Graph (Capacity Bonus 6) (Zoomed).png|Capacity Bonus 6
File:Inserter Efficiency Graph (Capacity Bonus 7).png|Capacity Bonus 7
</gallery>

Important to note is that the actual efficiency of the inserters is best measured in terms of kJ / item. Such a version of these graphs wasn't generated because it is almost a flat line. This is because for this kind of linear power consumption the kJ / item would just be the slope of the line, or in other words it would be the ''kJ per transfer cycle / stack size''.

Now for an important caveat. The above graphs are assuming unlimited input. That is to say the graphs assume that the inserter is always spinning at its maximum hand size. In situations that are input limited however, the inserter will not always do so. When the inserter completes its spin, the only time it waits for items is when there are zero to take. As long as there is at least a single item, the inserter will transfer whatever is there immediately, regardless of the inefficiency of moving less than its maximum. Stack Inserters are an exception to this as they actually do wait for a full hand before making the transfer, but no other inserter does. An example of an input limited situation would be the unloading of an assembler. Here are some graphs showing power usage in input limited situations:

<gallery mode="slideshow">
File:Inserter Efficiency Graph (Capacity Bonus 2, Input Minimum 1).png | Capacity Bonus 2, Input Minimum 1
File:Inserter Efficiency Graph (Capacity Bonus 2, Input Minimum 1, kJ).png | Capacity Bonus 2, Input Minimum 1
File:Inserter Efficiency Graph (Capacity Bonus 7, Input Minimum 1).png| Capacity Bonus 7, Input Minimum 1
File:Inserter Efficiency Graph (Capacity Bonus 7, Input Minimum 1, kJ).png| Capacity Bonus 7, Input Minimum 1
</gallery>

Here is how the behavior works. The inserter will increase its spin speed to max power as a utilization function of its minimum input. In simpler terms, if the minimum input is 1, it will increase power consumption as though it had no capacity bonus. Once it reaches the maximum, it will maintain max power while gradually increasing the average hand size its moving, thereby gradually increasing its efficiency. We can see this behavior in the kJ graph, where we get this swooping descent curve as it gains efficiency. We can see that with each subsequent inserter the average improves, and it will ultimately converge towards the same value as the previous set of graphs, that being ''kJ per transfer cycle / stack size''. The graphs shared cover the most common use cases, but input minimums can very quite largely. For example the input minimum for crafting yellow belts would be 2, and in general for any recipe the input minimum would be the minimum craft quantity. When belt feeding, its possible for inserters to experience inserter limiting as the belt approaches empty, or if using circuit limited sushi. Due to how many possible permutations of these graphs there are, sharing them all is simply not feasible. If you need a graph not displayed, you can generate one yourself using the code shared [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?p=670540#p670540 here]

Because the Burner Inserter doesn't have drain, its efficiency can only truly be appreciated in extremely low throughput situations. Thus we use these dedicated graphs. Before one graph with no capacity bonus would have been sufficient because at low throughputs inserters don't wait and always default to as stack size of 1. The new Stack Inserter changes this though, because Stack Inserters do in fact wait until they get a full hand before beginning their swing, meaning they always remain at optimal efficiency unlike the rest of the inserters. Though having generated the graphs it appears to be largely irrelevant, as the fundamental relationship never really changes from one extreme to the other.

<gallery mode="slideshow">
File:Burner Efficiency Graph (No Capacity Bonus).png|No Capacity Bonus
File:Burner Efficiency Graph (Capacity Bonus 7).png|Capacity Bonus 7
</gallery>

Note: The Burner graphs are mislabeled on the y-axis. They should read kJ, not kW.

=== Belt Differences===
Up until now all data was regarding chest-to-chest use cases, due to their sterile and consistent nature. The introduction of belts creates special conditions that require consideration. Here is a power chart from the game for reference:

[[File:Yellow Inserter Belt-to-Belt Power Signature.png|frameless|center|upright 3]]

The Yellow Inserter above is doing a belt-to-belt transfer, and it has a stack bonus.

The erratic section of the graph is the loading process. We can see the behavior is irregular as the inserter does not wait for the item, but rather fishes around for them. The exact behavior here is still being studied, and due to its dependence on stack size and belt speed it is very difficult to give any firm answers regarding how much power this actually uses as a quantifiable generalization. Likely a set of tables would need to be generated with every possible combination as a reference, but such data does not currently exist. The behavior should be consistent across belt speeds and stack sizes, so it can theoretically be gathered and collated into a reference table, though such data doesn't exist at this time.

Looking at the unloading section, we can see the inserter swings around normally, but then there is this dip that doesn't exist in the chest to chest behavior. This is the inserter waiting at the belt to drop off all its items. During this waiting, it uses no power aside from its drain. Once all the items are delivered, it resumes operation as normal. Different amounts of delay caused by different belt speeds and stack sizes can create variations in both our throughput and our total cost per transfer due to the additional drain. This can also be easily modeled into a table, though such a table is currently unavailable

If you are interested in volunteering to collect and share this data, you are encouraged to do so!

What this currently means in practice is that you should just use the chest-to-chest data. The overall relationship between the inserters doesn't change significantly and their efficiency hierarchy remains undisturbed, though the exact consumption in joules per item likely increases noticeably. This could be problematic for other cost estimates in your factory, but for choosing inserters its not an issue.

'''Important:''' The above efficiency graphs only apply when loading from a chest. When loading from a belt, until a more accurate dedicated data set is provided, it is advised to reference the initial no capacity bonus version of the graph for all decisions. With an inserter stack size of 1, the efficiency relationship between chests and belts is identical.

'''Regarding Quality:''' Quality inserters receive a linear speed boost for each level of quality, with a corresponding power cost increase. What this means is that the quality level of an inserter has no impact on its energy efficiency

''More data regarding inserters feeding from belts, as well as more detailed data regarding burner inserter power consumption is still needed. Please contribute if you are willing''

== See also ==
* [[Electric system]]
* [[Belt transport system]]
* [[Inserter capacity bonus (research)]]: Inserter moves more than an item per turn.

{{C|Logistics{{!}}#Inserters}} {{C|Inserters{{!}}#Inserters}}

Stack

2026-02-07T20:01:43Z

Gotube: /* Handling stacks */ Replaced redirect wikilink with direct one; "keyboard bindings" --> "keyboard and mouse bindings"

{{Languages}}
[[File:inventory_stacks.png|thumb|408px|right|Many stacks in the player's inventory.]]A stack is the basic element in Factorio to store items. One space in an inventory can hold one stack.

== Examples of stacks ==

* The [[player|player's]] inventory
** Main inventory
** Armor, weapon, and ammunition stacks
** Logistic trash slots
** The player's hand (is also a stack)
* [[Vehicle]]s
** [[Car]] (fuel, ammunition, inventory)
** [[Tank]] (fuel, ammunition, inventory)
** [[Spidertron]] (ammunition, inventory)
** [[Railway|Train]] (wagons, engines for fuel)
* [[Chests]]: The archetypal example of stacks outside the player's inventory; a chest is basically just a group of stacks.
* Devices
** [[Furnace]]: Burner stack ([[Stone furnace|stone]] and [[Steel furnace|steel]] furnace only), input and output stack
** [[Assembling machine]]s and [[chemical plant]]s: 1 or more output and 1-6 input stacks, depending on item type being assembled
** [[Lab|Labs]]
** Burner-based: [[Boiler]], [[burner mining drill]], [[burner inserter]]
** [[Roboport]] (filtered for robots and repair packs only)
** [[Gun turret]]
* Special
** [[Inserters]] and [[Robots|worker robots]] (Small, variable-size stacks allow these entities to move items between other stacks. See also the [[Inserter capacity bonus (research)|inserter]] and [[Worker robot cargo size (research)|robot]] stack size bonus research topics.)

== How do stacks work? ==

A stack can store a number of identical items.

The first inserted item determines which item types can be stored. This also indirectly determines how many items can be stored in the stack, as this depends on the item type's maximum stack size.

Only items can be stored within stacks; stacks cannot hold [[Fluid system|liquids]] or other entity types.

=== Stack size ===

The number of items a stack can store. Stack size depends on the item; existing stack sizes and (non-exhaustive) examples include (click to expand):

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!style="width: 100px;" |Stack size
!Examples 
|-
| 1 || [[Nuclear fuel]], [[artillery shell]], [[satellite]], [[modular armor]], [[blueprint]].
|-
| 5 || [[Locomotive]], all [[Wagon|wagons]].
|-
| 10 || [[Roboport]], [[rocket fuel]], [[artillery turret]], [[atomic bomb]], [[low density structure]].
|-
| 20 || Some [[equipment modules]], [[pumpjack]]s.
|-
| 50 || All ores, [[stone]], [[coal]], all [[Module|modules]], [[electric mining drill]], [[electric furnace]], all [[Assembling machine|assemblers]], all [[chests]], all [[inserters]], [[gun turret]], [[laser turret]], all [[Electric_system#Distribution|power poles]] including [[substation]], both types of [[Robots|worker robots]], [[solid fuel]].
|-
| 100 || [[Iron plate]], [[copper plate]], [[steel plate]], [[processing unit]], [[iron gear wheel]], [[stone brick]], all types of [[concrete]], both isotopes of [[Uranium processing|processed uranium]], [[pipe]] (regular), all [[Belt transport system|belts]], [[wall]], [[landfill]].
|-
| 200 || [[Electronic circuit]], [[advanced circuit]], all types of [[Ammunition#Magazines|magazine]], all types of [[tank]] [[Ammunition#Tank shells|cannon shell]], [[copper cable]], both colors of circuit [[Circuit network|wire]], all types of [[science pack]] except space science pack.
|-
| 2,000 || Unique to [[space science pack]], present to allow stacking up to 2 [[Rocket|rockets]]' worth of packs in the [[rocket silo]]'s single output slot.
|}

=== Filtered stacks ===

Stacks can be filtered either by default (in burner-type entities, [[furnace]]s, [[roboport]]s, [[turret]]s, [[lab]]s, and other entities that can only accept one or a few item types in a particular slot), or manually by the player (normally set via the middle mouse button / scroll-wheel click, see [[Keyboard bindings]]). Manual filtering is available for [[cargo wagon]]s, [[car]]s, [[tank]]s, [[spidertron]]s and the player inventory, but not for other types of containers (in particular, [[chests]] of any type).

This can be used to ensure only one item type goes into the inventory space. [[Inserters]] (or [[Robots|bots]], where applicable) will not attempt to insert anything except the allowed item type into filtered slots, and manual insertion of other item types by the player is also not allowed unless and until the filter is cleared.

=== Damaged items ===

Damaged items (i.e, damaged entities now stored as items) stack with other damaged items (of the same type), but not with undamaged items. When items with different amounts of damage are stacked together, the health of the items is averaged.

=== Items with durability ===

Items with durability, such as [[science pack]]s and [[repair pack]]s, always stack with items of the same type, regardless of how much durability remains. The durability displayed on the stack is the durability of the first item. After that item is removed from the stack, a stack of items with full durabilities remains. This means that when multiple items with durabilities are stacked together, their durabilities are merged, which can result in a lower overall item count while the overall remaining durability stays the same.

== Stack size bonuses ==

Inserters and logistic robots can be boosted with research to hold and transfer more items, see:

* [[Inserter capacity bonus (research)]]
* [[Worker robot cargo size (research)]]

== Stack limitation ==

[[File:Stack limiter.jpg|300px|thumb|frame|A [[wooden chest]] limited to three stacks. Once the third stack is full, inserters will no longer attempt to add items.]]

Optionally, the usable space in [[chests]] and [[Cargo wagon|wagons]] can be decreased below their default values. Typically, this is done to store a small amount of items in an automated process, without consuming the resources that would be required to fill the entire container.

To limit a container, click the red X at the end of the last stack. Then, click on one of the stacks to set the new limit. The unused stacks will be highlighted red (see right).

When full, inserters will no longer add to a limited container. However, the player is still free to manually place items in the unused (red) slots.

== Handling stacks ==

There are some [[controls|keyboard and mouse bindings]] to quickly handle movement of stacks between inventories, like moving half of a stack to another stack.

== History ==

In game version 0.10, the number of items which can be stored in a stack changed for most items from powers of 2 to multiples of 10. This change was mainly made because most people find it more intuitive to calculate numbers in a base-10 system.

Example: Before the change, a stack could store 64 iron ore, while after the change it is 50. This created some controversy, as some players preferred the old stack sizes.

{{C|Logistics{{!}}#Stack}} {{C|Storage{{!}}#Stack}}

Aquilo

2026-02-06T06:55:34Z

Gotube: /* Properties */ Number formatting; fix capitalization

{{Languages}}
{{About/Space age}}
[[File:aquilo_preview.png|210px|right]]'''Aquilo''' is a desolate, freezing ocean [[planet]]. Its surface consists solely of a vast ocean of liquid ammonia, with the occasional floating iceberg.

Progression wise, Aquilo is meant to be visited after establishing factories on all the previous planets. [[Planet discovery Aquilo (research)]] requires [[rocket turret]]s, [[Advanced asteroid processing (research)]], and [[heating tower]]s from Gleba, [[Asteroid reprocessing (research)]] from [[Vulcanus]], and [[Electromagnetic science pack (research)]] from [[Fulgora]].

[[Planet discovery Aquilo (research)]] is required to travel to the planet.

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|visit-aquilo}}

== Exclusive items ==
[[Lithium brine]], [[ammoniacal solution]], and [[fluorine]] can only be obtained on Aquilo.

The following items have recipes with an explicit restriction that they can only be crafted on Aquilo:
*{{imagelink|Cryogenic plant|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Fusion generator|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Fusion reactor|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Cryogenic science pack|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Quantum processor|space-age=yes}} (can also be crafted on [[space platform]]s)

The following fluids are extracted from or produced on Aquilo and cannot be [[barrel|barrelled]] for transport elsewhere, making them exclusive to Aquilo:
*{{imagelink|Ammoniacal solution|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Fluorine|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Lithium brine|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Ammonia|space-age=yes}}

Because the above fluids cannot be taken off of Aquilo, any recipe that directly consumes them is de-facto exclusive to Aquilo:
*{{imagelink|Fluoroketone (hot)|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Lithium|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Fusion power cell|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Solid fuel from ammonia|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Ammonia rocket fuel|space-age=yes}}

The following can be crafted elsewhere, but are unlocked on Aquilo:
*{{imagelink|Fluoroketone (cold)|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Lithium plate|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Foundation|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Railgun turret|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Railgun|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Railgun ammo|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Captive biter spawner|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Portable fusion reactor|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Promethium science pack|space-age=yes}}

==Surface==

===Properties===
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Aquilo Surface Properties
|-
! Property !! Value
|-
| Pollutant Type || None
|-
| Day Night Cycle || 20 minutes
|-
| Magnetic Field|| 10
|-
| Solar Power || 1%
|-
| Pressure || 300
|-
| Gravity || 15
|-
| Robot energy usage || 500%
|}

=== Natural resources ===
In terms of directly exploitable natural resources, Aquilo has:
* [[Ammoniacal solution]]{{SA}} (via [[offshore pump]] on the edge of the ammoniacal seas)
* [[Lithium brine]]{{SA}} (via [[pumpjack]])
* [[Fluorine]]{{SA}} (via pumpjack)
* [[Crude oil]] (via pumpjack)

Limited amounts of [[lithium]], [[ice]], and [[ice platform]] can be gathered from [[lithium ice formation]]s, but are otherwise crafted.

== Access to basic resources ==

* [[Water]] can be obtained via [[ammoniacal solution separation]] and [[ice melting]]
* [[Stone]] is not available and must be shipped in from other planets
* [[Iron ore]] is not available and must be shipped in from other planets
* [[Copper ore]] is not available and must be shipped in from other planets
* [[Coal]] is not available and must be shipped in from other planets
* [[Crude oil]] can be obtained using pumpjacks as normal

== Mechanics ==

The starting area on Aquilo is a relatively small patch of snow and ice terrain. Beyond this small platform are the vast ammoniacal seas, which have small dots of icey terrain in them, usually around [[crude_oil|crude oil]], [[fluorine]]{{SA}}, or [[lithium_brine|lithium brine]]{{SA}} resource geysers. Aquilo has nothing to drill with any kind of miner. All natural resources, spare the [[lithium ice formation]]s, are gathered either by an [[offshore pump]] or [[pumpjack]]. Bases on Aquilo will be reliant on regularly shipping in resources from other planets.

=== Ice terrain ===

On Aquilo, most terrain must be constructed, but [[landfill]] and [[foundation]]{{SA}} are no help. Instead, [[ice platform]]s{{SA}} have to be used. These platforms are created by first using [[ammoniacal solution separation]]{{SA}} to make [[ice]]{{SA}} and [[ammonia]]{{SA}}, then re-combining those into a platform that can be placed on the ocean like [[landfill]].

Snowy terrain can be built on directly, but on any kind of ice terrain or ice platform, most buildings will require an insulating floor of [[concrete]] tiles or derivatives before they can be placed. [[Stone brick]]s cannot be used to pave ice.

=== Freezing ===
Aquilo is brutally cold. The harsh ambient temperatures drain the energy from any airborne [[construction robot|construction robots]] and [[logistic robot|logistic robots]], making them consume 5 times more power than normal. Most buildings will freeze and stop working unless heated by a [[heat pipe]] or heat generator. Heat can be generated by the [[nuclear reactor]] or [[heating tower]]{{SA}}.

Once a building is adjacent to a heat source above 30°C, it will consume heat energy to maintain its state, reducing the energy (and temperature) in the heat source. Different entities consume different amounts of heat to prevent freezing.

====Notes====
* [[Underground belt]]s and [[pipe to ground|pipes to ground]] are substantially larger heat drains than their above-ground versions
* Heat pipes do not lose heat to the environment; they only lose heat to entities that need to be kept warm.
* All [[burner devices|burner]] entities and heat-producing machines are immune to freezing.

For details on heat throughput, see the [[heat pipe]] page.

A building is adjacent to a heat source when it is one tile away from the heat source either orthogonally or diagonally. All of the pipes would be heated in the below example: 


{| class="wikitable"
|
[[File:Ice_platform.png|24px|link=Ice_platform]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Ice_platform.png|24px|link=Ice_platform]] 
[[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=Pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Heat_pipe.png|24px|link=heat_pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=Pipe]] 
[[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Heating_tower.png|72px|link=Heating_tower]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]] 
[[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]] 
|
[[File:Heat_demo.gif]]
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Entity heat consumption
|-
! Building !! Kilowatts
|-
| {{Icon|Transport belt}} {{Icon|Fast transport belt}} {{Icon|Express transport belt}} {{Icon|Turbo transport belt}}|| 10
|-
| {{Icon|Underground belt}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Fast underground belt}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Express underground belt}} || 150
|-
| {{Icon|Turbo underground belt}} || 200
|-
| {{Icon|Splitter}} {{Icon|Fast splitter}} {{Icon|Express splitter}} {{Icon|Turbo splitter}} || 40
|-
| {{Icon|Pipe}} || 1
|-
| {{Icon|Pipe to ground}} || 150
|-
| {{Icon|Pump}} || 30
|-
| {{Icon|Storage tank}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Power switch}} || 20
|-
| {{Icon|Programmable speaker}} || 30
|-
| {{Icon|Inserter}} {{Icon|Fast inserter}} || 30
|-
| {{Icon|Long-handed inserter}} {{Icon|Bulk inserter}} {{Icon|Stack inserter}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Steam engine}} {{Icon|Steam turbine}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Pumpjack}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Gun turret}} {{Icon|Laser turret}} {{Icon|Rocket turret}} {{Icon|Railgun turret}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Arithmetic combinator}} {{Icon|Decider combinator}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Selector combinator}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Assembling machine 1}} {{Icon|Assembling machine 2}} {{Icon|Assembling machine 3}} {{Icon|Electric furnace}} {{Icon|Chemical plant}} {{Icon|Lab}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Cryogenic plant}} {{Icon|Recycler}} {{Icon|Biochamber}} {{Icon|Electromagnetic plant}} {{Icon|Centrifuge}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Oil refinery}} {{Icon|Artillery turret}} || 200
|-
| {{Icon|Foundry}} {{Icon|Radar}} {{Icon|Roboport}} {{Icon|Rocket silo}} || 300
|-
| {{Icon|Beacon}} ||400
|}

The following entities are immune to freezing. Many may be placed directly on ice tiles, they are listed below.
{| class="wikitable"
! Tile !! Entities !! Category
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Offshore pump}} || Offshore pumps
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Wooden chest}} {{Icon|Iron chest}} {{Icon|Steel chest}} {{Icon|Active provider chest}} {{Icon|Passive provider chest}} {{Icon|Storage chest}} {{Icon|Buffer chest}} {{Icon|Requester chest}} || Chests
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Small electric pole}} {{Icon|Medium electric pole}} {{Icon|Big electric pole}} {{Icon|Substation}} || Electric poles
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Solar panel}} {{Icon|Accumulator}} {{Icon|Lamp}} {{Icon|Constant combinator}} || Basic electric devices
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Tesla turret}} || Tesla turrets
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Construction robot}} {{Icon|Logistic robot}} {{Icon|Defender capsule}} {{Icon|Distractor capsule}} {{Icon|Destroyer capsule}} || Bots
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Car}} {{Icon|Tank}} {{Icon|Spidertron}} || Vehicles
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Locomotive}} {{Icon|Cargo wagon}} {{Icon|Fluid wagon}} {{Icon|Artillery wagon}} || Trains
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Straight rail}} {{Icon|Rail ramp}} {{Icon|Train stop}} {{Icon|Rail signal}} {{Icon|Rail chain signal}} || Rail pieces
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | Any || {{Icon|Rail support}} || Rail pieces
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Cargo landing pad}} {{Icon|Cargo bay}} || Space cargo
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Display panel}} || Player notification devices
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Burner inserter}} {{Icon|Boiler}} {{Icon|Stone furnace}} {{Icon|Steel furnace}} || Burner entities
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Nuclear reactor}} {{Icon|Heat exchanger}} {{Icon|Heating tower}} {{Icon|Heat pipe}} || Heat generators and heat pipes
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Fusion reactor}} {{Icon|Fusion generator}} || Fusion power
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Flamethrower turret}} || Flamethrower turrets
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Wall}} {{Icon|Gate}} || Walls and gates
|}

=== Solar energy ===
Aquilo is far from its sun, and so [[solar panel]]s on its surface only output at 1% of their rate on Nauvis: 0.6 kW peak production. This makes panels practical for little more than powering the first machines to produce the water needed for real power generation.

The minimum machines needed to produce water is either a single [[chemical plant]] to melt [[ice]] (which can initially be dropped from a space platform), or a single [[assembling machine 2]] to [[barrel|empty barrels of water]] also dropped from the platform. Assembling machine 2s require less power than chemical plants, and the unbarreling recipe is faster than [[ice melting]]. So on the whole, the assembler version will be faster.

Note that it is not necessary to fully power these machines. As long as the available power is greater than their drain, they will be able to function, albeit at reduced speed. [[Efficiency module]]s can speed this process up. With 3 efficiency modules, an assembling machine 2 only needs 35 kW to run at full speed (59 solar panels). To reach just 1/8th of max speed requires only 8.75 kW, which only needs 15 (base [[quality]]) solar panels.

Once even a little water is available, [[heat exchanger]]s heated by either [[heating tower]]s or [[nuclear reactor]]s can feed [[steam turbine]]s for power. This power can be used to process [[ammoniacal solution separation]] to generate ice, which can be melted into water for continuous power generation.

==Space routes==
[[Aquilo]] is connected to 2 other planets, [[Gleba]]{{SA}} and [[Fulgora]]{{SA}}, along with the [[Solar system edge]]{{SA}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Planet Distance
|-
! Planet !! Distance (km)
|-
| [[Gleba]]{{SA}}|| 30,000
|-
| [[Fulgora]]{{SA}}|| 30,000
|-
| [[Solar system edge]]{{SA}}|| 100,000
|}

Asteroid rate graphs:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
| [[File:Asteroid_chart_Gleba_Aquilo.png]] Space route from [[Gleba]] to [[Aquilo]]
| [[File:Asteroid_chart_Fulgora_Aquilo.png]] Space route from [[Fulgora]] to [[Aquilo]]
| [[File:Asteroid_chart_Aquilo_Solar_System_Edge.png]] Space route from [[Aquilo]] to [[Solar system edge]]
|}

Graph legend:
<table class="wikitable">
<tr>
<th>Asteroid type</th>
<th>Chunk</th>
<th>Medium</th>
<th>Big</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[File:Metallic asteroid chunk.png|32px]] Metallic</td>
<td>● Blue</td>
<td>● Red</td>
<td>● Cyan</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[File:Carbonic asteroid chunk.png|32px]] Carbonic</td>
<td>● Orange</td>
<td>● Yellow</td>
<td>● Brown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[File:Oxide asteroid chunk.png|32px]] Oxide</td>
<td>● Green</td>
<td>● Magenta</td>
<td>● Purple</td>
</tr>
</table>

==Orbit==

===Properties===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Property !! Value
|-
| Solar Power || 60%
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Asteroid Spawning Types
|-
! [[Asteroids| Asteroid]] Type !! Spawn Ratio
|-
| [[Metallic asteroid chunk]] || 1
|-
| [[Carbonic asteroid chunk]] || 2
|-
| [[Oxide asteroid chunk]] || 20
|-
| [[Promethium asteroid chunk]] || 0
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Asteroid Spawning Sizes
|-
! [[Asteroids| Asteroid]] Size !! Spawn %
|-
| Chunk|| 0.10
|-
| Medium|| 0
|-
| Big || 0.25
|-
| Huge || 0
|}

'''Note:'''
*Chunks spawn at Nauvis at 1.25%
*Huge Asteroids only spawn past [[Aquilo]]{{SA}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="300px" heights="200px">
aquilo_landscape.png|Example landscape of Aquilo.
aquilo_landscape_main_menu.png|Aquilo seen on the expansion's title screen.
</gallery>

== Trivia ==
* In mythology, Aquilo is the Roman god of the north wind, storms, and winter.
* Aquilo's design with ice and liquid ammonia oceans is based on real-world [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice%20planet ice planets].

== History ==
{{history|2.0.7|
* Introduced in [[Space Age]]{{SA}} expansion.
}}

== See also ==
* [[Fulgora]] {{SA}}
* [[Gleba]] {{SA}}
* [[Nauvis]]
* [[Vulcanus]] {{SA}}
* [[Space platform]] {{SA}}

{{C|Planets}}
{{SpaceNav}}

Aquilo

2026-02-06T06:54:47Z

Gotube: /* Properties */ Decimal number formatting

{{Languages}}
{{About/Space age}}
[[File:aquilo_preview.png|210px|right]]'''Aquilo''' is a desolate, freezing ocean [[planet]]. Its surface consists solely of a vast ocean of liquid ammonia, with the occasional floating iceberg.

Progression wise, Aquilo is meant to be visited after establishing factories on all the previous planets. [[Planet discovery Aquilo (research)]] requires [[rocket turret]]s, [[Advanced asteroid processing (research)]], and [[heating tower]]s from Gleba, [[Asteroid reprocessing (research)]] from [[Vulcanus]], and [[Electromagnetic science pack (research)]] from [[Fulgora]].

[[Planet discovery Aquilo (research)]] is required to travel to the planet.

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|visit-aquilo}}

== Exclusive items ==
[[Lithium brine]], [[ammoniacal solution]], and [[fluorine]] can only be obtained on Aquilo.

The following items have recipes with an explicit restriction that they can only be crafted on Aquilo:
*{{imagelink|Cryogenic plant|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Fusion generator|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Fusion reactor|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Cryogenic science pack|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Quantum processor|space-age=yes}} (can also be crafted on [[space platform]]s)

The following fluids are extracted from or produced on Aquilo and cannot be [[barrel|barrelled]] for transport elsewhere, making them exclusive to Aquilo:
*{{imagelink|Ammoniacal solution|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Fluorine|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Lithium brine|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Ammonia|space-age=yes}}

Because the above fluids cannot be taken off of Aquilo, any recipe that directly consumes them is de-facto exclusive to Aquilo:
*{{imagelink|Fluoroketone (hot)|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Lithium|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Fusion power cell|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Solid fuel from ammonia|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Ammonia rocket fuel|space-age=yes}}

The following can be crafted elsewhere, but are unlocked on Aquilo:
*{{imagelink|Fluoroketone (cold)|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Lithium plate|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Foundation|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Railgun turret|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Railgun|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Railgun ammo|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Captive biter spawner|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Portable fusion reactor|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Promethium science pack|space-age=yes}}

==Surface==

===Properties===
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Aquilo Surface Properties
|-
! Property !! Value
|-
| Pollutant Type || None
|-
| Day Night Cycle || 20 Minutes
|-
| Magnetic Field|| 10
|-
| Solar Power || 01%
|-
| Pressure || 300
|-
| Gravity || 15
|-
| Robot energy usage || 500%
|}

=== Natural resources ===
In terms of directly exploitable natural resources, Aquilo has:
* [[Ammoniacal solution]]{{SA}} (via [[offshore pump]] on the edge of the ammoniacal seas)
* [[Lithium brine]]{{SA}} (via [[pumpjack]])
* [[Fluorine]]{{SA}} (via pumpjack)
* [[Crude oil]] (via pumpjack)

Limited amounts of [[lithium]], [[ice]], and [[ice platform]] can be gathered from [[lithium ice formation]]s, but are otherwise crafted.

== Access to basic resources ==

* [[Water]] can be obtained via [[ammoniacal solution separation]] and [[ice melting]]
* [[Stone]] is not available and must be shipped in from other planets
* [[Iron ore]] is not available and must be shipped in from other planets
* [[Copper ore]] is not available and must be shipped in from other planets
* [[Coal]] is not available and must be shipped in from other planets
* [[Crude oil]] can be obtained using pumpjacks as normal

== Mechanics ==

The starting area on Aquilo is a relatively small patch of snow and ice terrain. Beyond this small platform are the vast ammoniacal seas, which have small dots of icey terrain in them, usually around [[crude_oil|crude oil]], [[fluorine]]{{SA}}, or [[lithium_brine|lithium brine]]{{SA}} resource geysers. Aquilo has nothing to drill with any kind of miner. All natural resources, spare the [[lithium ice formation]]s, are gathered either by an [[offshore pump]] or [[pumpjack]]. Bases on Aquilo will be reliant on regularly shipping in resources from other planets.

=== Ice terrain ===

On Aquilo, most terrain must be constructed, but [[landfill]] and [[foundation]]{{SA}} are no help. Instead, [[ice platform]]s{{SA}} have to be used. These platforms are created by first using [[ammoniacal solution separation]]{{SA}} to make [[ice]]{{SA}} and [[ammonia]]{{SA}}, then re-combining those into a platform that can be placed on the ocean like [[landfill]].

Snowy terrain can be built on directly, but on any kind of ice terrain or ice platform, most buildings will require an insulating floor of [[concrete]] tiles or derivatives before they can be placed. [[Stone brick]]s cannot be used to pave ice.

=== Freezing ===
Aquilo is brutally cold. The harsh ambient temperatures drain the energy from any airborne [[construction robot|construction robots]] and [[logistic robot|logistic robots]], making them consume 5 times more power than normal. Most buildings will freeze and stop working unless heated by a [[heat pipe]] or heat generator. Heat can be generated by the [[nuclear reactor]] or [[heating tower]]{{SA}}.

Once a building is adjacent to a heat source above 30°C, it will consume heat energy to maintain its state, reducing the energy (and temperature) in the heat source. Different entities consume different amounts of heat to prevent freezing.

====Notes====
* [[Underground belt]]s and [[pipe to ground|pipes to ground]] are substantially larger heat drains than their above-ground versions
* Heat pipes do not lose heat to the environment; they only lose heat to entities that need to be kept warm.
* All [[burner devices|burner]] entities and heat-producing machines are immune to freezing.

For details on heat throughput, see the [[heat pipe]] page.

A building is adjacent to a heat source when it is one tile away from the heat source either orthogonally or diagonally. All of the pipes would be heated in the below example: 


{| class="wikitable"
|
[[File:Ice_platform.png|24px|link=Ice_platform]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Ice_platform.png|24px|link=Ice_platform]] 
[[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=Pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Heat_pipe.png|24px|link=heat_pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=Pipe]] 
[[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Heating_tower.png|72px|link=Heating_tower]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]] 
[[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]] 
|
[[File:Heat_demo.gif]]
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Entity heat consumption
|-
! Building !! Kilowatts
|-
| {{Icon|Transport belt}} {{Icon|Fast transport belt}} {{Icon|Express transport belt}} {{Icon|Turbo transport belt}}|| 10
|-
| {{Icon|Underground belt}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Fast underground belt}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Express underground belt}} || 150
|-
| {{Icon|Turbo underground belt}} || 200
|-
| {{Icon|Splitter}} {{Icon|Fast splitter}} {{Icon|Express splitter}} {{Icon|Turbo splitter}} || 40
|-
| {{Icon|Pipe}} || 1
|-
| {{Icon|Pipe to ground}} || 150
|-
| {{Icon|Pump}} || 30
|-
| {{Icon|Storage tank}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Power switch}} || 20
|-
| {{Icon|Programmable speaker}} || 30
|-
| {{Icon|Inserter}} {{Icon|Fast inserter}} || 30
|-
| {{Icon|Long-handed inserter}} {{Icon|Bulk inserter}} {{Icon|Stack inserter}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Steam engine}} {{Icon|Steam turbine}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Pumpjack}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Gun turret}} {{Icon|Laser turret}} {{Icon|Rocket turret}} {{Icon|Railgun turret}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Arithmetic combinator}} {{Icon|Decider combinator}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Selector combinator}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Assembling machine 1}} {{Icon|Assembling machine 2}} {{Icon|Assembling machine 3}} {{Icon|Electric furnace}} {{Icon|Chemical plant}} {{Icon|Lab}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Cryogenic plant}} {{Icon|Recycler}} {{Icon|Biochamber}} {{Icon|Electromagnetic plant}} {{Icon|Centrifuge}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Oil refinery}} {{Icon|Artillery turret}} || 200
|-
| {{Icon|Foundry}} {{Icon|Radar}} {{Icon|Roboport}} {{Icon|Rocket silo}} || 300
|-
| {{Icon|Beacon}} ||400
|}

The following entities are immune to freezing. Many may be placed directly on ice tiles, they are listed below.
{| class="wikitable"
! Tile !! Entities !! Category
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Offshore pump}} || Offshore pumps
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Wooden chest}} {{Icon|Iron chest}} {{Icon|Steel chest}} {{Icon|Active provider chest}} {{Icon|Passive provider chest}} {{Icon|Storage chest}} {{Icon|Buffer chest}} {{Icon|Requester chest}} || Chests
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Small electric pole}} {{Icon|Medium electric pole}} {{Icon|Big electric pole}} {{Icon|Substation}} || Electric poles
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Solar panel}} {{Icon|Accumulator}} {{Icon|Lamp}} {{Icon|Constant combinator}} || Basic electric devices
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Tesla turret}} || Tesla turrets
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Construction robot}} {{Icon|Logistic robot}} {{Icon|Defender capsule}} {{Icon|Distractor capsule}} {{Icon|Destroyer capsule}} || Bots
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Car}} {{Icon|Tank}} {{Icon|Spidertron}} || Vehicles
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Locomotive}} {{Icon|Cargo wagon}} {{Icon|Fluid wagon}} {{Icon|Artillery wagon}} || Trains
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Straight rail}} {{Icon|Rail ramp}} {{Icon|Train stop}} {{Icon|Rail signal}} {{Icon|Rail chain signal}} || Rail pieces
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | Any || {{Icon|Rail support}} || Rail pieces
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Cargo landing pad}} {{Icon|Cargo bay}} || Space cargo
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Display panel}} || Player notification devices
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Burner inserter}} {{Icon|Boiler}} {{Icon|Stone furnace}} {{Icon|Steel furnace}} || Burner entities
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Nuclear reactor}} {{Icon|Heat exchanger}} {{Icon|Heating tower}} {{Icon|Heat pipe}} || Heat generators and heat pipes
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Fusion reactor}} {{Icon|Fusion generator}} || Fusion power
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Flamethrower turret}} || Flamethrower turrets
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Wall}} {{Icon|Gate}} || Walls and gates
|}

=== Solar energy ===
Aquilo is far from its sun, and so [[solar panel]]s on its surface only output at 1% of their rate on Nauvis: 0.6 kW peak production. This makes panels practical for little more than powering the first machines to produce the water needed for real power generation.

The minimum machines needed to produce water is either a single [[chemical plant]] to melt [[ice]] (which can initially be dropped from a space platform), or a single [[assembling machine 2]] to [[barrel|empty barrels of water]] also dropped from the platform. Assembling machine 2s require less power than chemical plants, and the unbarreling recipe is faster than [[ice melting]]. So on the whole, the assembler version will be faster.

Note that it is not necessary to fully power these machines. As long as the available power is greater than their drain, they will be able to function, albeit at reduced speed. [[Efficiency module]]s can speed this process up. With 3 efficiency modules, an assembling machine 2 only needs 35 kW to run at full speed (59 solar panels). To reach just 1/8th of max speed requires only 8.75 kW, which only needs 15 (base [[quality]]) solar panels.

Once even a little water is available, [[heat exchanger]]s heated by either [[heating tower]]s or [[nuclear reactor]]s can feed [[steam turbine]]s for power. This power can be used to process [[ammoniacal solution separation]] to generate ice, which can be melted into water for continuous power generation.

==Space routes==
[[Aquilo]] is connected to 2 other planets, [[Gleba]]{{SA}} and [[Fulgora]]{{SA}}, along with the [[Solar system edge]]{{SA}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Planet Distance
|-
! Planet !! Distance (km)
|-
| [[Gleba]]{{SA}}|| 30,000
|-
| [[Fulgora]]{{SA}}|| 30,000
|-
| [[Solar system edge]]{{SA}}|| 100,000
|}

Asteroid rate graphs:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
| [[File:Asteroid_chart_Gleba_Aquilo.png]] Space route from [[Gleba]] to [[Aquilo]]
| [[File:Asteroid_chart_Fulgora_Aquilo.png]] Space route from [[Fulgora]] to [[Aquilo]]
| [[File:Asteroid_chart_Aquilo_Solar_System_Edge.png]] Space route from [[Aquilo]] to [[Solar system edge]]
|}

Graph legend:
<table class="wikitable">
<tr>
<th>Asteroid type</th>
<th>Chunk</th>
<th>Medium</th>
<th>Big</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[File:Metallic asteroid chunk.png|32px]] Metallic</td>
<td>● Blue</td>
<td>● Red</td>
<td>● Cyan</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[File:Carbonic asteroid chunk.png|32px]] Carbonic</td>
<td>● Orange</td>
<td>● Yellow</td>
<td>● Brown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[File:Oxide asteroid chunk.png|32px]] Oxide</td>
<td>● Green</td>
<td>● Magenta</td>
<td>● Purple</td>
</tr>
</table>

==Orbit==

===Properties===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Property !! Value
|-
| Solar Power || 60%
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Asteroid Spawning Types
|-
! [[Asteroids| Asteroid]] Type !! Spawn Ratio
|-
| [[Metallic asteroid chunk]] || 1
|-
| [[Carbonic asteroid chunk]] || 2
|-
| [[Oxide asteroid chunk]] || 20
|-
| [[Promethium asteroid chunk]] || 0
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Asteroid Spawning Sizes
|-
! [[Asteroids| Asteroid]] Size !! Spawn %
|-
| Chunk|| 0.10
|-
| Medium|| 0
|-
| Big || 0.25
|-
| Huge || 0
|}

'''Note:'''
*Chunks spawn at Nauvis at 1.25%
*Huge Asteroids only spawn past [[Aquilo]]{{SA}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="300px" heights="200px">
aquilo_landscape.png|Example landscape of Aquilo.
aquilo_landscape_main_menu.png|Aquilo seen on the expansion's title screen.
</gallery>

== Trivia ==
* In mythology, Aquilo is the Roman god of the north wind, storms, and winter.
* Aquilo's design with ice and liquid ammonia oceans is based on real-world [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice%20planet ice planets].

== History ==
{{history|2.0.7|
* Introduced in [[Space Age]]{{SA}} expansion.
}}

== See also ==
* [[Fulgora]] {{SA}}
* [[Gleba]] {{SA}}
* [[Nauvis]]
* [[Vulcanus]] {{SA}}
* [[Space platform]] {{SA}}

{{C|Planets}}
{{SpaceNav}}

Aquilo

2026-02-06T06:54:03Z

Gotube: /* Trivia */ Removed unsupported trivia to "Discussion" page

{{Languages}}
{{About/Space age}}
[[File:aquilo_preview.png|210px|right]]'''Aquilo''' is a desolate, freezing ocean [[planet]]. Its surface consists solely of a vast ocean of liquid ammonia, with the occasional floating iceberg.

Progression wise, Aquilo is meant to be visited after establishing factories on all the previous planets. [[Planet discovery Aquilo (research)]] requires [[rocket turret]]s, [[Advanced asteroid processing (research)]], and [[heating tower]]s from Gleba, [[Asteroid reprocessing (research)]] from [[Vulcanus]], and [[Electromagnetic science pack (research)]] from [[Fulgora]].

[[Planet discovery Aquilo (research)]] is required to travel to the planet.

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|visit-aquilo}}

== Exclusive items ==
[[Lithium brine]], [[ammoniacal solution]], and [[fluorine]] can only be obtained on Aquilo.

The following items have recipes with an explicit restriction that they can only be crafted on Aquilo:
*{{imagelink|Cryogenic plant|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Fusion generator|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Fusion reactor|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Cryogenic science pack|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Quantum processor|space-age=yes}} (can also be crafted on [[space platform]]s)

The following fluids are extracted from or produced on Aquilo and cannot be [[barrel|barrelled]] for transport elsewhere, making them exclusive to Aquilo:
*{{imagelink|Ammoniacal solution|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Fluorine|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Lithium brine|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Ammonia|space-age=yes}}

Because the above fluids cannot be taken off of Aquilo, any recipe that directly consumes them is de-facto exclusive to Aquilo:
*{{imagelink|Fluoroketone (hot)|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Lithium|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Fusion power cell|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Solid fuel from ammonia|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Ammonia rocket fuel|space-age=yes}}

The following can be crafted elsewhere, but are unlocked on Aquilo:
*{{imagelink|Fluoroketone (cold)|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Lithium plate|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Foundation|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Railgun turret|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Railgun|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Railgun ammo|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Captive biter spawner|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Portable fusion reactor|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Promethium science pack|space-age=yes}}

==Surface==

===Properties===
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Aquilo Surface Properties
|-
! Property !! Value
|-
| Pollutant Type || None
|-
| Day Night Cycle || 20 Minutes
|-
| Magnetic Field|| 10
|-
| Solar Power || 01%
|-
| Pressure || 300
|-
| Gravity || 15
|-
| Robot energy usage || 500%
|}

=== Natural resources ===
In terms of directly exploitable natural resources, Aquilo has:
* [[Ammoniacal solution]]{{SA}} (via [[offshore pump]] on the edge of the ammoniacal seas)
* [[Lithium brine]]{{SA}} (via [[pumpjack]])
* [[Fluorine]]{{SA}} (via pumpjack)
* [[Crude oil]] (via pumpjack)

Limited amounts of [[lithium]], [[ice]], and [[ice platform]] can be gathered from [[lithium ice formation]]s, but are otherwise crafted.

== Access to basic resources ==

* [[Water]] can be obtained via [[ammoniacal solution separation]] and [[ice melting]]
* [[Stone]] is not available and must be shipped in from other planets
* [[Iron ore]] is not available and must be shipped in from other planets
* [[Copper ore]] is not available and must be shipped in from other planets
* [[Coal]] is not available and must be shipped in from other planets
* [[Crude oil]] can be obtained using pumpjacks as normal

== Mechanics ==

The starting area on Aquilo is a relatively small patch of snow and ice terrain. Beyond this small platform are the vast ammoniacal seas, which have small dots of icey terrain in them, usually around [[crude_oil|crude oil]], [[fluorine]]{{SA}}, or [[lithium_brine|lithium brine]]{{SA}} resource geysers. Aquilo has nothing to drill with any kind of miner. All natural resources, spare the [[lithium ice formation]]s, are gathered either by an [[offshore pump]] or [[pumpjack]]. Bases on Aquilo will be reliant on regularly shipping in resources from other planets.

=== Ice terrain ===

On Aquilo, most terrain must be constructed, but [[landfill]] and [[foundation]]{{SA}} are no help. Instead, [[ice platform]]s{{SA}} have to be used. These platforms are created by first using [[ammoniacal solution separation]]{{SA}} to make [[ice]]{{SA}} and [[ammonia]]{{SA}}, then re-combining those into a platform that can be placed on the ocean like [[landfill]].

Snowy terrain can be built on directly, but on any kind of ice terrain or ice platform, most buildings will require an insulating floor of [[concrete]] tiles or derivatives before they can be placed. [[Stone brick]]s cannot be used to pave ice.

=== Freezing ===
Aquilo is brutally cold. The harsh ambient temperatures drain the energy from any airborne [[construction robot|construction robots]] and [[logistic robot|logistic robots]], making them consume 5 times more power than normal. Most buildings will freeze and stop working unless heated by a [[heat pipe]] or heat generator. Heat can be generated by the [[nuclear reactor]] or [[heating tower]]{{SA}}.

Once a building is adjacent to a heat source above 30°C, it will consume heat energy to maintain its state, reducing the energy (and temperature) in the heat source. Different entities consume different amounts of heat to prevent freezing.

====Notes====
* [[Underground belt]]s and [[pipe to ground|pipes to ground]] are substantially larger heat drains than their above-ground versions
* Heat pipes do not lose heat to the environment; they only lose heat to entities that need to be kept warm.
* All [[burner devices|burner]] entities and heat-producing machines are immune to freezing.

For details on heat throughput, see the [[heat pipe]] page.

A building is adjacent to a heat source when it is one tile away from the heat source either orthogonally or diagonally. All of the pipes would be heated in the below example: 


{| class="wikitable"
|
[[File:Ice_platform.png|24px|link=Ice_platform]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Ice_platform.png|24px|link=Ice_platform]] 
[[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=Pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Heat_pipe.png|24px|link=heat_pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=Pipe]] 
[[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Heating_tower.png|72px|link=Heating_tower]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]] 
[[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]] 
|
[[File:Heat_demo.gif]]
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Entity heat consumption
|-
! Building !! Kilowatts
|-
| {{Icon|Transport belt}} {{Icon|Fast transport belt}} {{Icon|Express transport belt}} {{Icon|Turbo transport belt}}|| 10
|-
| {{Icon|Underground belt}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Fast underground belt}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Express underground belt}} || 150
|-
| {{Icon|Turbo underground belt}} || 200
|-
| {{Icon|Splitter}} {{Icon|Fast splitter}} {{Icon|Express splitter}} {{Icon|Turbo splitter}} || 40
|-
| {{Icon|Pipe}} || 1
|-
| {{Icon|Pipe to ground}} || 150
|-
| {{Icon|Pump}} || 30
|-
| {{Icon|Storage tank}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Power switch}} || 20
|-
| {{Icon|Programmable speaker}} || 30
|-
| {{Icon|Inserter}} {{Icon|Fast inserter}} || 30
|-
| {{Icon|Long-handed inserter}} {{Icon|Bulk inserter}} {{Icon|Stack inserter}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Steam engine}} {{Icon|Steam turbine}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Pumpjack}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Gun turret}} {{Icon|Laser turret}} {{Icon|Rocket turret}} {{Icon|Railgun turret}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Arithmetic combinator}} {{Icon|Decider combinator}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Selector combinator}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Assembling machine 1}} {{Icon|Assembling machine 2}} {{Icon|Assembling machine 3}} {{Icon|Electric furnace}} {{Icon|Chemical plant}} {{Icon|Lab}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Cryogenic plant}} {{Icon|Recycler}} {{Icon|Biochamber}} {{Icon|Electromagnetic plant}} {{Icon|Centrifuge}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Oil refinery}} {{Icon|Artillery turret}} || 200
|-
| {{Icon|Foundry}} {{Icon|Radar}} {{Icon|Roboport}} {{Icon|Rocket silo}} || 300
|-
| {{Icon|Beacon}} ||400
|}

The following entities are immune to freezing. Many may be placed directly on ice tiles, they are listed below.
{| class="wikitable"
! Tile !! Entities !! Category
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Offshore pump}} || Offshore pumps
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Wooden chest}} {{Icon|Iron chest}} {{Icon|Steel chest}} {{Icon|Active provider chest}} {{Icon|Passive provider chest}} {{Icon|Storage chest}} {{Icon|Buffer chest}} {{Icon|Requester chest}} || Chests
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Small electric pole}} {{Icon|Medium electric pole}} {{Icon|Big electric pole}} {{Icon|Substation}} || Electric poles
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Solar panel}} {{Icon|Accumulator}} {{Icon|Lamp}} {{Icon|Constant combinator}} || Basic electric devices
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Tesla turret}} || Tesla turrets
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Construction robot}} {{Icon|Logistic robot}} {{Icon|Defender capsule}} {{Icon|Distractor capsule}} {{Icon|Destroyer capsule}} || Bots
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Car}} {{Icon|Tank}} {{Icon|Spidertron}} || Vehicles
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Locomotive}} {{Icon|Cargo wagon}} {{Icon|Fluid wagon}} {{Icon|Artillery wagon}} || Trains
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Straight rail}} {{Icon|Rail ramp}} {{Icon|Train stop}} {{Icon|Rail signal}} {{Icon|Rail chain signal}} || Rail pieces
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | Any || {{Icon|Rail support}} || Rail pieces
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Cargo landing pad}} {{Icon|Cargo bay}} || Space cargo
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Display panel}} || Player notification devices
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Burner inserter}} {{Icon|Boiler}} {{Icon|Stone furnace}} {{Icon|Steel furnace}} || Burner entities
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Nuclear reactor}} {{Icon|Heat exchanger}} {{Icon|Heating tower}} {{Icon|Heat pipe}} || Heat generators and heat pipes
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Fusion reactor}} {{Icon|Fusion generator}} || Fusion power
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Flamethrower turret}} || Flamethrower turrets
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Wall}} {{Icon|Gate}} || Walls and gates
|}

=== Solar energy ===
Aquilo is far from its sun, and so [[solar panel]]s on its surface only output at 1% of their rate on Nauvis: 0.6 kW peak production. This makes panels practical for little more than powering the first machines to produce the water needed for real power generation.

The minimum machines needed to produce water is either a single [[chemical plant]] to melt [[ice]] (which can initially be dropped from a space platform), or a single [[assembling machine 2]] to [[barrel|empty barrels of water]] also dropped from the platform. Assembling machine 2s require less power than chemical plants, and the unbarreling recipe is faster than [[ice melting]]. So on the whole, the assembler version will be faster.

Note that it is not necessary to fully power these machines. As long as the available power is greater than their drain, they will be able to function, albeit at reduced speed. [[Efficiency module]]s can speed this process up. With 3 efficiency modules, an assembling machine 2 only needs 35 kW to run at full speed (59 solar panels). To reach just 1/8th of max speed requires only 8.75 kW, which only needs 15 (base [[quality]]) solar panels.

Once even a little water is available, [[heat exchanger]]s heated by either [[heating tower]]s or [[nuclear reactor]]s can feed [[steam turbine]]s for power. This power can be used to process [[ammoniacal solution separation]] to generate ice, which can be melted into water for continuous power generation.

==Space routes==
[[Aquilo]] is connected to 2 other planets, [[Gleba]]{{SA}} and [[Fulgora]]{{SA}}, along with the [[Solar system edge]]{{SA}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Planet Distance
|-
! Planet !! Distance (km)
|-
| [[Gleba]]{{SA}}|| 30,000
|-
| [[Fulgora]]{{SA}}|| 30,000
|-
| [[Solar system edge]]{{SA}}|| 100,000
|}

Asteroid rate graphs:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
| [[File:Asteroid_chart_Gleba_Aquilo.png]] Space route from [[Gleba]] to [[Aquilo]]
| [[File:Asteroid_chart_Fulgora_Aquilo.png]] Space route from [[Fulgora]] to [[Aquilo]]
| [[File:Asteroid_chart_Aquilo_Solar_System_Edge.png]] Space route from [[Aquilo]] to [[Solar system edge]]
|}

Graph legend:
<table class="wikitable">
<tr>
<th>Asteroid type</th>
<th>Chunk</th>
<th>Medium</th>
<th>Big</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[File:Metallic asteroid chunk.png|32px]] Metallic</td>
<td>● Blue</td>
<td>● Red</td>
<td>● Cyan</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[File:Carbonic asteroid chunk.png|32px]] Carbonic</td>
<td>● Orange</td>
<td>● Yellow</td>
<td>● Brown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[File:Oxide asteroid chunk.png|32px]] Oxide</td>
<td>● Green</td>
<td>● Magenta</td>
<td>● Purple</td>
</tr>
</table>

==Orbit==

===Properties===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Property !! Value
|-
| Solar Power || 60%
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Asteroid Spawning Types
|-
! [[Asteroids| Asteroid]] Type !! Spawn Ratio
|-
| [[Metallic asteroid chunk]] || 1
|-
| [[Carbonic asteroid chunk]] || 2
|-
| [[Oxide asteroid chunk]] || 20
|-
| [[Promethium asteroid chunk]] || 0
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Asteroid Spawning Sizes
|-
! [[Asteroids| Asteroid]] Size !! Spawn %
|-
| Chunk|| .10
|-
| Medium|| 0
|-
| Big || 0.25
|-
| Huge || 0
|}

'''Note:'''
*Chunks spawn at Nauvis at 1.25%
*Huge Asteroids only spawn past [[Aquilo]]{{SA}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="300px" heights="200px">
aquilo_landscape.png|Example landscape of Aquilo.
aquilo_landscape_main_menu.png|Aquilo seen on the expansion's title screen.
</gallery>

== Trivia ==
* In mythology, Aquilo is the Roman god of the north wind, storms, and winter.
* Aquilo's design with ice and liquid ammonia oceans is based on real-world [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice%20planet ice planets].

== History ==
{{history|2.0.7|
* Introduced in [[Space Age]]{{SA}} expansion.
}}

== See also ==
* [[Fulgora]] {{SA}}
* [[Gleba]] {{SA}}
* [[Nauvis]]
* [[Vulcanus]] {{SA}}
* [[Space platform]] {{SA}}

{{C|Planets}}
{{SpaceNav}}

Talk:Aquilo

2026-02-06T06:53:40Z

Gotube: Added section title and signature

Talk:Aquilo

2026-02-06T06:52:04Z

Gotube: Removed unsupported claim from Trivia section

Removed the following from the "Trivia" section as the linked FFFs do not support the claims. The first link merely has an image of a jellyfish-like creature. The second doesn't mention Aquilo at all.
:During development, Aquilo was planned to be home to floating, jellyfish-like enemies, concept art for which were shown in Friday Facts [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-367 #367]. However, they were not implemented due to them making progression "much slower". [https://www.factorio.com/blog/post/fff-429]

Aquilo

2026-02-06T06:36:46Z

Gotube: /* Mechanics */ Demoted "Notes" to a sub-heading under "Freezing", as all notes are about the Freezing mechanic

{{Languages}}
{{About/Space age}}
[[File:aquilo_preview.png|210px|right]]'''Aquilo''' is a desolate, freezing ocean [[planet]]. Its surface consists solely of a vast ocean of liquid ammonia, with the occasional floating iceberg.

Progression wise, Aquilo is meant to be visited after establishing factories on all the previous planets. [[Planet discovery Aquilo (research)]] requires [[rocket turret]]s, [[Advanced asteroid processing (research)]], and [[heating tower]]s from Gleba, [[Asteroid reprocessing (research)]] from [[Vulcanus]], and [[Electromagnetic science pack (research)]] from [[Fulgora]].

[[Planet discovery Aquilo (research)]] is required to travel to the planet.

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|visit-aquilo}}

== Exclusive items ==
[[Lithium brine]], [[ammoniacal solution]], and [[fluorine]] can only be obtained on Aquilo.

The following items have recipes with an explicit restriction that they can only be crafted on Aquilo:
*{{imagelink|Cryogenic plant|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Fusion generator|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Fusion reactor|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Cryogenic science pack|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Quantum processor|space-age=yes}} (can also be crafted on [[space platform]]s)

The following fluids are extracted from or produced on Aquilo and cannot be [[barrel|barrelled]] for transport elsewhere, making them exclusive to Aquilo:
*{{imagelink|Ammoniacal solution|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Fluorine|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Lithium brine|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Ammonia|space-age=yes}}

Because the above fluids cannot be taken off of Aquilo, any recipe that directly consumes them is de-facto exclusive to Aquilo:
*{{imagelink|Fluoroketone (hot)|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Lithium|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Fusion power cell|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Solid fuel from ammonia|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Ammonia rocket fuel|space-age=yes}}

The following can be crafted elsewhere, but are unlocked on Aquilo:
*{{imagelink|Fluoroketone (cold)|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Lithium plate|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Foundation|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Railgun turret|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Railgun|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Railgun ammo|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Captive biter spawner|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Portable fusion reactor|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Promethium science pack|space-age=yes}}

==Surface==

===Properties===
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Aquilo Surface Properties
|-
! Property !! Value
|-
| Pollutant Type || None
|-
| Day Night Cycle || 20 Minutes
|-
| Magnetic Field|| 10
|-
| Solar Power || 01%
|-
| Pressure || 300
|-
| Gravity || 15
|-
| Robot energy usage || 500%
|}

=== Natural resources ===
In terms of directly exploitable natural resources, Aquilo has:
* [[Ammoniacal solution]]{{SA}} (via [[offshore pump]] on the edge of the ammoniacal seas)
* [[Lithium brine]]{{SA}} (via [[pumpjack]])
* [[Fluorine]]{{SA}} (via pumpjack)
* [[Crude oil]] (via pumpjack)

Limited amounts of [[lithium]], [[ice]], and [[ice platform]] can be gathered from [[lithium ice formation]]s, but are otherwise crafted.

== Access to basic resources ==

* [[Water]] can be obtained via [[ammoniacal solution separation]] and [[ice melting]]
* [[Stone]] is not available and must be shipped in from other planets
* [[Iron ore]] is not available and must be shipped in from other planets
* [[Copper ore]] is not available and must be shipped in from other planets
* [[Coal]] is not available and must be shipped in from other planets
* [[Crude oil]] can be obtained using pumpjacks as normal

== Mechanics ==

The starting area on Aquilo is a relatively small patch of snow and ice terrain. Beyond this small platform are the vast ammoniacal seas, which have small dots of icey terrain in them, usually around [[crude_oil|crude oil]], [[fluorine]]{{SA}}, or [[lithium_brine|lithium brine]]{{SA}} resource geysers. Aquilo has nothing to drill with any kind of miner. All natural resources, spare the [[lithium ice formation]]s, are gathered either by an [[offshore pump]] or [[pumpjack]]. Bases on Aquilo will be reliant on regularly shipping in resources from other planets.

=== Ice terrain ===

On Aquilo, most terrain must be constructed, but [[landfill]] and [[foundation]]{{SA}} are no help. Instead, [[ice platform]]s{{SA}} have to be used. These platforms are created by first using [[ammoniacal solution separation]]{{SA}} to make [[ice]]{{SA}} and [[ammonia]]{{SA}}, then re-combining those into a platform that can be placed on the ocean like [[landfill]].

Snowy terrain can be built on directly, but on any kind of ice terrain or ice platform, most buildings will require an insulating floor of [[concrete]] tiles or derivatives before they can be placed. [[Stone brick]]s cannot be used to pave ice.

=== Freezing ===
Aquilo is brutally cold. The harsh ambient temperatures drain the energy from any airborne [[construction robot|construction robots]] and [[logistic robot|logistic robots]], making them consume 5 times more power than normal. Most buildings will freeze and stop working unless heated by a [[heat pipe]] or heat generator. Heat can be generated by the [[nuclear reactor]] or [[heating tower]]{{SA}}.

Once a building is adjacent to a heat source above 30°C, it will consume heat energy to maintain its state, reducing the energy (and temperature) in the heat source. Different entities consume different amounts of heat to prevent freezing.

====Notes====
* [[Underground belt]]s and [[pipe to ground|pipes to ground]] are substantially larger heat drains than their above-ground versions
* Heat pipes do not lose heat to the environment; they only lose heat to entities that need to be kept warm.
* All [[burner devices|burner]] entities and heat-producing machines are immune to freezing.

For details on heat throughput, see the [[heat pipe]] page.

A building is adjacent to a heat source when it is one tile away from the heat source either orthogonally or diagonally. All of the pipes would be heated in the below example: 


{| class="wikitable"
|
[[File:Ice_platform.png|24px|link=Ice_platform]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Ice_platform.png|24px|link=Ice_platform]] 
[[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=Pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Heat_pipe.png|24px|link=heat_pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=Pipe]] 
[[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Heating_tower.png|72px|link=Heating_tower]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]] 
[[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]] 
|
[[File:Heat_demo.gif]]
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Entity heat consumption
|-
! Building !! Kilowatts
|-
| {{Icon|Transport belt}} {{Icon|Fast transport belt}} {{Icon|Express transport belt}} {{Icon|Turbo transport belt}}|| 10
|-
| {{Icon|Underground belt}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Fast underground belt}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Express underground belt}} || 150
|-
| {{Icon|Turbo underground belt}} || 200
|-
| {{Icon|Splitter}} {{Icon|Fast splitter}} {{Icon|Express splitter}} {{Icon|Turbo splitter}} || 40
|-
| {{Icon|Pipe}} || 1
|-
| {{Icon|Pipe to ground}} || 150
|-
| {{Icon|Pump}} || 30
|-
| {{Icon|Storage tank}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Power switch}} || 20
|-
| {{Icon|Programmable speaker}} || 30
|-
| {{Icon|Inserter}} {{Icon|Fast inserter}} || 30
|-
| {{Icon|Long-handed inserter}} {{Icon|Bulk inserter}} {{Icon|Stack inserter}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Steam engine}} {{Icon|Steam turbine}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Pumpjack}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Gun turret}} {{Icon|Laser turret}} {{Icon|Rocket turret}} {{Icon|Railgun turret}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Arithmetic combinator}} {{Icon|Decider combinator}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Selector combinator}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Assembling machine 1}} {{Icon|Assembling machine 2}} {{Icon|Assembling machine 3}} {{Icon|Electric furnace}} {{Icon|Chemical plant}} {{Icon|Lab}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Cryogenic plant}} {{Icon|Recycler}} {{Icon|Biochamber}} {{Icon|Electromagnetic plant}} {{Icon|Centrifuge}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Oil refinery}} {{Icon|Artillery turret}} || 200
|-
| {{Icon|Foundry}} {{Icon|Radar}} {{Icon|Roboport}} {{Icon|Rocket silo}} || 300
|-
| {{Icon|Beacon}} ||400
|}

The following entities are immune to freezing. Many may be placed directly on ice tiles, they are listed below.
{| class="wikitable"
! Tile !! Entities !! Category
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Offshore pump}} || Offshore pumps
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Wooden chest}} {{Icon|Iron chest}} {{Icon|Steel chest}} {{Icon|Active provider chest}} {{Icon|Passive provider chest}} {{Icon|Storage chest}} {{Icon|Buffer chest}} {{Icon|Requester chest}} || Chests
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Small electric pole}} {{Icon|Medium electric pole}} {{Icon|Big electric pole}} {{Icon|Substation}} || Electric poles
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Solar panel}} {{Icon|Accumulator}} {{Icon|Lamp}} {{Icon|Constant combinator}} || Basic electric devices
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Tesla turret}} || Tesla turrets
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Construction robot}} {{Icon|Logistic robot}} {{Icon|Defender capsule}} {{Icon|Distractor capsule}} {{Icon|Destroyer capsule}} || Bots
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Car}} {{Icon|Tank}} {{Icon|Spidertron}} || Vehicles
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Locomotive}} {{Icon|Cargo wagon}} {{Icon|Fluid wagon}} {{Icon|Artillery wagon}} || Trains
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Straight rail}} {{Icon|Rail ramp}} {{Icon|Train stop}} {{Icon|Rail signal}} {{Icon|Rail chain signal}} || Rail pieces
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | Any || {{Icon|Rail support}} || Rail pieces
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Cargo landing pad}} {{Icon|Cargo bay}} || Space cargo
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Display panel}} || Player notification devices
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Burner inserter}} {{Icon|Boiler}} {{Icon|Stone furnace}} {{Icon|Steel furnace}} || Burner entities
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Nuclear reactor}} {{Icon|Heat exchanger}} {{Icon|Heating tower}} {{Icon|Heat pipe}} || Heat generators and heat pipes
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Fusion reactor}} {{Icon|Fusion generator}} || Fusion power
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Flamethrower turret}} || Flamethrower turrets
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Wall}} {{Icon|Gate}} || Walls and gates
|}

=== Solar energy ===
Aquilo is far from its sun, and so [[solar panel]]s on its surface only output at 1% of their rate on Nauvis: 0.6 kW peak production. This makes panels practical for little more than powering the first machines to produce the water needed for real power generation.

The minimum machines needed to produce water is either a single [[chemical plant]] to melt [[ice]] (which can initially be dropped from a space platform), or a single [[assembling machine 2]] to [[barrel|empty barrels of water]] also dropped from the platform. Assembling machine 2s require less power than chemical plants, and the unbarreling recipe is faster than [[ice melting]]. So on the whole, the assembler version will be faster.

Note that it is not necessary to fully power these machines. As long as the available power is greater than their drain, they will be able to function, albeit at reduced speed. [[Efficiency module]]s can speed this process up. With 3 efficiency modules, an assembling machine 2 only needs 35 kW to run at full speed (59 solar panels). To reach just 1/8th of max speed requires only 8.75 kW, which only needs 15 (base [[quality]]) solar panels.

Once even a little water is available, [[heat exchanger]]s heated by either [[heating tower]]s or [[nuclear reactor]]s can feed [[steam turbine]]s for power. This power can be used to process [[ammoniacal solution separation]] to generate ice, which can be melted into water for continuous power generation.

==Space routes==
[[Aquilo]] is connected to 2 other planets, [[Gleba]]{{SA}} and [[Fulgora]]{{SA}}, along with the [[Solar system edge]]{{SA}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Planet Distance
|-
! Planet !! Distance (km)
|-
| [[Gleba]]{{SA}}|| 30,000
|-
| [[Fulgora]]{{SA}}|| 30,000
|-
| [[Solar system edge]]{{SA}}|| 100,000
|}

Asteroid rate graphs:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
| [[File:Asteroid_chart_Gleba_Aquilo.png]] Space route from [[Gleba]] to [[Aquilo]]
| [[File:Asteroid_chart_Fulgora_Aquilo.png]] Space route from [[Fulgora]] to [[Aquilo]]
| [[File:Asteroid_chart_Aquilo_Solar_System_Edge.png]] Space route from [[Aquilo]] to [[Solar system edge]]
|}

Graph legend:
<table class="wikitable">
<tr>
<th>Asteroid type</th>
<th>Chunk</th>
<th>Medium</th>
<th>Big</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[File:Metallic asteroid chunk.png|32px]] Metallic</td>
<td>● Blue</td>
<td>● Red</td>
<td>● Cyan</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[File:Carbonic asteroid chunk.png|32px]] Carbonic</td>
<td>● Orange</td>
<td>● Yellow</td>
<td>● Brown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[File:Oxide asteroid chunk.png|32px]] Oxide</td>
<td>● Green</td>
<td>● Magenta</td>
<td>● Purple</td>
</tr>
</table>

==Orbit==

===Properties===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Property !! Value
|-
| Solar Power || 60%
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Asteroid Spawning Types
|-
! [[Asteroids| Asteroid]] Type !! Spawn Ratio
|-
| [[Metallic asteroid chunk]] || 1
|-
| [[Carbonic asteroid chunk]] || 2
|-
| [[Oxide asteroid chunk]] || 20
|-
| [[Promethium asteroid chunk]] || 0
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Asteroid Spawning Sizes
|-
! [[Asteroids| Asteroid]] Size !! Spawn %
|-
| Chunk|| .10
|-
| Medium|| 0
|-
| Big || 0.25
|-
| Huge || 0
|}

'''Note:'''
*Chunks spawn at Nauvis at 1.25%
*Huge Asteroids only spawn past [[Aquilo]]{{SA}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="300px" heights="200px">
aquilo_landscape.png|Example landscape of Aquilo.
aquilo_landscape_main_menu.png|Aquilo seen on the expansion's title screen.
</gallery>

== Trivia ==
* In mythology, Aquilo is the Roman god of the north wind, storms, and winter.
* During development, Aquilo was planned to be home to floating, jellyfish-like enemies, concept art for which were shown in Friday Facts [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-367 #367]. However, they were not implemented due to them making progression "much slower". [https://www.factorio.com/blog/post/fff-429]
* Aquilo's design with ice and liquid ammonia oceans is based on real-world [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice%20planet ice planets].

== History ==
{{history|2.0.7|
* Introduced in [[Space Age]]{{SA}} expansion.
}}

== See also ==
* [[Fulgora]] {{SA}}
* [[Gleba]] {{SA}}
* [[Nauvis]]
* [[Vulcanus]] {{SA}}
* [[Space platform]] {{SA}}

{{C|Planets}}
{{SpaceNav}}

Aquilo

2026-02-06T06:26:20Z

Gotube: /* Mechanics */ Removed editorializing

{{Languages}}
{{About/Space age}}
[[File:aquilo_preview.png|210px|right]]'''Aquilo''' is a desolate, freezing ocean [[planet]]. Its surface consists solely of a vast ocean of liquid ammonia, with the occasional floating iceberg.

Progression wise, Aquilo is meant to be visited after establishing factories on all the previous planets. [[Planet discovery Aquilo (research)]] requires [[rocket turret]]s, [[Advanced asteroid processing (research)]], and [[heating tower]]s from Gleba, [[Asteroid reprocessing (research)]] from [[Vulcanus]], and [[Electromagnetic science pack (research)]] from [[Fulgora]].

[[Planet discovery Aquilo (research)]] is required to travel to the planet.

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|visit-aquilo}}

== Exclusive items ==
[[Lithium brine]], [[ammoniacal solution]], and [[fluorine]] can only be obtained on Aquilo.

The following items have recipes with an explicit restriction that they can only be crafted on Aquilo:
*{{imagelink|Cryogenic plant|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Fusion generator|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Fusion reactor|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Cryogenic science pack|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Quantum processor|space-age=yes}} (can also be crafted on [[space platform]]s)

The following fluids are extracted from or produced on Aquilo and cannot be [[barrel|barrelled]] for transport elsewhere, making them exclusive to Aquilo:
*{{imagelink|Ammoniacal solution|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Fluorine|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Lithium brine|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Ammonia|space-age=yes}}

Because the above fluids cannot be taken off of Aquilo, any recipe that directly consumes them is de-facto exclusive to Aquilo:
*{{imagelink|Fluoroketone (hot)|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Lithium|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Fusion power cell|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Solid fuel from ammonia|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Ammonia rocket fuel|space-age=yes}}

The following can be crafted elsewhere, but are unlocked on Aquilo:
*{{imagelink|Fluoroketone (cold)|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Lithium plate|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Foundation|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Railgun turret|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Railgun|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Railgun ammo|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Captive biter spawner|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Portable fusion reactor|space-age=yes}}
*{{imagelink|Promethium science pack|space-age=yes}}

==Surface==

===Properties===
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Aquilo Surface Properties
|-
! Property !! Value
|-
| Pollutant Type || None
|-
| Day Night Cycle || 20 Minutes
|-
| Magnetic Field|| 10
|-
| Solar Power || 01%
|-
| Pressure || 300
|-
| Gravity || 15
|-
| Robot energy usage || 500%
|}

=== Natural resources ===
In terms of directly exploitable natural resources, Aquilo has:
* [[Ammoniacal solution]]{{SA}} (via [[offshore pump]] on the edge of the ammoniacal seas)
* [[Lithium brine]]{{SA}} (via [[pumpjack]])
* [[Fluorine]]{{SA}} (via pumpjack)
* [[Crude oil]] (via pumpjack)

Limited amounts of [[lithium]], [[ice]], and [[ice platform]] can be gathered from [[lithium ice formation]]s, but are otherwise crafted.

== Access to basic resources ==

* [[Water]] can be obtained via [[ammoniacal solution separation]] and [[ice melting]]
* [[Stone]] is not available and must be shipped in from other planets
* [[Iron ore]] is not available and must be shipped in from other planets
* [[Copper ore]] is not available and must be shipped in from other planets
* [[Coal]] is not available and must be shipped in from other planets
* [[Crude oil]] can be obtained using pumpjacks as normal

== Mechanics ==

The starting area on Aquilo is a relatively small patch of snow and ice terrain. Beyond this small platform are the vast ammoniacal seas, which have small dots of icey terrain in them, usually around [[crude_oil|crude oil]], [[fluorine]]{{SA}}, or [[lithium_brine|lithium brine]]{{SA}} resource geysers. Aquilo has nothing to drill with any kind of miner. All natural resources, spare the [[lithium ice formation]]s, are gathered either by an [[offshore pump]] or [[pumpjack]]. Bases on Aquilo will be reliant on regularly shipping in resources from other planets.

=== Ice terrain ===

On Aquilo, most terrain must be constructed, but [[landfill]] and [[foundation]]{{SA}} are no help. Instead, [[ice platform]]s{{SA}} have to be used. These platforms are created by first using [[ammoniacal solution separation]]{{SA}} to make [[ice]]{{SA}} and [[ammonia]]{{SA}}, then re-combining those into a platform that can be placed on the ocean like [[landfill]].

Snowy terrain can be built on directly, but on any kind of ice terrain or ice platform, most buildings will require an insulating floor of [[concrete]] tiles or derivatives before they can be placed. [[Stone brick]]s cannot be used to pave ice.

=== Freezing ===
Aquilo is brutally cold. The harsh ambient temperatures drain the energy from any airborne [[construction robot|construction robots]] and [[logistic robot|logistic robots]], making them consume 5 times more power than normal. Most buildings will freeze and stop working unless heated by a [[heat pipe]] or heat generator. Heat can be generated by the [[nuclear reactor]] or [[heating tower]]{{SA}}.

Once a building is adjacent to a heat source above 30°C, it will consume heat energy to maintain its state, reducing the energy (and temperature) in the heat source. Different entities consume different amounts of heat to prevent freezing.

===Notes===
* [[Underground belt]]s and [[pipe to ground|pipes to ground]] are substantially larger heat drains than their above-ground versions
* Heat pipes do not lose heat to the environment; they only lose heat to entities that need to be kept warm.
* All [[burner devices|burner]] entities and heat-producing machines are immune to freezing.

For details on heat throughput, see the [[heat pipe]] page.

A building is adjacent to a heat source when it is one tile away from the heat source either orthogonally or diagonally. All of the pipes would be heated in the below example: 


{| class="wikitable"
|
[[File:Ice_platform.png|24px|link=Ice_platform]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Ice_platform.png|24px|link=Ice_platform]] 
[[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=Pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Heat_pipe.png|24px|link=heat_pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=Pipe]] 
[[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Heating_tower.png|72px|link=Heating_tower]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]] 
[[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]][[File:Pipe.png|24px|link=pipe]] 
|
[[File:Heat_demo.gif]]
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Entity heat consumption
|-
! Building !! Kilowatts
|-
| {{Icon|Transport belt}} {{Icon|Fast transport belt}} {{Icon|Express transport belt}} {{Icon|Turbo transport belt}}|| 10
|-
| {{Icon|Underground belt}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Fast underground belt}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Express underground belt}} || 150
|-
| {{Icon|Turbo underground belt}} || 200
|-
| {{Icon|Splitter}} {{Icon|Fast splitter}} {{Icon|Express splitter}} {{Icon|Turbo splitter}} || 40
|-
| {{Icon|Pipe}} || 1
|-
| {{Icon|Pipe to ground}} || 150
|-
| {{Icon|Pump}} || 30
|-
| {{Icon|Storage tank}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Power switch}} || 20
|-
| {{Icon|Programmable speaker}} || 30
|-
| {{Icon|Inserter}} {{Icon|Fast inserter}} || 30
|-
| {{Icon|Long-handed inserter}} {{Icon|Bulk inserter}} {{Icon|Stack inserter}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Steam engine}} {{Icon|Steam turbine}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Pumpjack}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Gun turret}} {{Icon|Laser turret}} {{Icon|Rocket turret}} {{Icon|Railgun turret}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Arithmetic combinator}} {{Icon|Decider combinator}} || 50
|-
| {{Icon|Selector combinator}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Assembling machine 1}} {{Icon|Assembling machine 2}} {{Icon|Assembling machine 3}} {{Icon|Electric furnace}} {{Icon|Chemical plant}} {{Icon|Lab}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Cryogenic plant}} {{Icon|Recycler}} {{Icon|Biochamber}} {{Icon|Electromagnetic plant}} {{Icon|Centrifuge}} || 100
|-
| {{Icon|Oil refinery}} {{Icon|Artillery turret}} || 200
|-
| {{Icon|Foundry}} {{Icon|Radar}} {{Icon|Roboport}} {{Icon|Rocket silo}} || 300
|-
| {{Icon|Beacon}} ||400
|}

The following entities are immune to freezing. Many may be placed directly on ice tiles, they are listed below.
{| class="wikitable"
! Tile !! Entities !! Category
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Offshore pump}} || Offshore pumps
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Wooden chest}} {{Icon|Iron chest}} {{Icon|Steel chest}} {{Icon|Active provider chest}} {{Icon|Passive provider chest}} {{Icon|Storage chest}} {{Icon|Buffer chest}} {{Icon|Requester chest}} || Chests
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Small electric pole}} {{Icon|Medium electric pole}} {{Icon|Big electric pole}} {{Icon|Substation}} || Electric poles
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Solar panel}} {{Icon|Accumulator}} {{Icon|Lamp}} {{Icon|Constant combinator}} || Basic electric devices
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Tesla turret}} || Tesla turrets
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Construction robot}} {{Icon|Logistic robot}} {{Icon|Defender capsule}} {{Icon|Distractor capsule}} {{Icon|Destroyer capsule}} || Bots
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Car}} {{Icon|Tank}} {{Icon|Spidertron}} || Vehicles
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Locomotive}} {{Icon|Cargo wagon}} {{Icon|Fluid wagon}} {{Icon|Artillery wagon}} || Trains
|-
| {{Icon|Ice platform}} || {{Icon|Straight rail}} {{Icon|Rail ramp}} {{Icon|Train stop}} {{Icon|Rail signal}} {{Icon|Rail chain signal}} || Rail pieces
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | Any || {{Icon|Rail support}} || Rail pieces
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Cargo landing pad}} {{Icon|Cargo bay}} || Space cargo
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Display panel}} || Player notification devices
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Burner inserter}} {{Icon|Boiler}} {{Icon|Stone furnace}} {{Icon|Steel furnace}} || Burner entities
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Nuclear reactor}} {{Icon|Heat exchanger}} {{Icon|Heating tower}} {{Icon|Heat pipe}} || Heat generators and heat pipes
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Fusion reactor}} {{Icon|Fusion generator}} || Fusion power
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Flamethrower turret}} || Flamethrower turrets
|-
| {{Icon|Concrete}} || {{Icon|Wall}} {{Icon|Gate}} || Walls and gates
|}

=== Solar energy ===
Aquilo is far from its sun, and so [[solar panel]]s on its surface only output at 1% of their rate on Nauvis: 0.6 kW peak production. This makes panels practical for little more than powering the first machines to produce the water needed for real power generation.

The minimum machines needed to produce water is either a single [[chemical plant]] to melt [[ice]] (which can initially be dropped from a space platform), or a single [[assembling machine 2]] to [[barrel|empty barrels of water]] also dropped from the platform. Assembling machine 2s require less power than chemical plants, and the unbarreling recipe is faster than [[ice melting]]. So on the whole, the assembler version will be faster.

Note that it is not necessary to fully power these machines. As long as the available power is greater than their drain, they will be able to function, albeit at reduced speed. [[Efficiency module]]s can speed this process up. With 3 efficiency modules, an assembling machine 2 only needs 35 kW to run at full speed (59 solar panels). To reach just 1/8th of max speed requires only 8.75 kW, which only needs 15 (base [[quality]]) solar panels.

Once even a little water is available, [[heat exchanger]]s heated by either [[heating tower]]s or [[nuclear reactor]]s can feed [[steam turbine]]s for power. This power can be used to process [[ammoniacal solution separation]] to generate ice, which can be melted into water for continuous power generation.

==Space routes==
[[Aquilo]] is connected to 2 other planets, [[Gleba]]{{SA}} and [[Fulgora]]{{SA}}, along with the [[Solar system edge]]{{SA}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Planet Distance
|-
! Planet !! Distance (km)
|-
| [[Gleba]]{{SA}}|| 30,000
|-
| [[Fulgora]]{{SA}}|| 30,000
|-
| [[Solar system edge]]{{SA}}|| 100,000
|}

Asteroid rate graphs:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
| [[File:Asteroid_chart_Gleba_Aquilo.png]] Space route from [[Gleba]] to [[Aquilo]]
| [[File:Asteroid_chart_Fulgora_Aquilo.png]] Space route from [[Fulgora]] to [[Aquilo]]
| [[File:Asteroid_chart_Aquilo_Solar_System_Edge.png]] Space route from [[Aquilo]] to [[Solar system edge]]
|}

Graph legend:
<table class="wikitable">
<tr>
<th>Asteroid type</th>
<th>Chunk</th>
<th>Medium</th>
<th>Big</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[File:Metallic asteroid chunk.png|32px]] Metallic</td>
<td>● Blue</td>
<td>● Red</td>
<td>● Cyan</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[File:Carbonic asteroid chunk.png|32px]] Carbonic</td>
<td>● Orange</td>
<td>● Yellow</td>
<td>● Brown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[File:Oxide asteroid chunk.png|32px]] Oxide</td>
<td>● Green</td>
<td>● Magenta</td>
<td>● Purple</td>
</tr>
</table>

==Orbit==

===Properties===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Property !! Value
|-
| Solar Power || 60%
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Asteroid Spawning Types
|-
! [[Asteroids| Asteroid]] Type !! Spawn Ratio
|-
| [[Metallic asteroid chunk]] || 1
|-
| [[Carbonic asteroid chunk]] || 2
|-
| [[Oxide asteroid chunk]] || 20
|-
| [[Promethium asteroid chunk]] || 0
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Asteroid Spawning Sizes
|-
! [[Asteroids| Asteroid]] Size !! Spawn %
|-
| Chunk|| .10
|-
| Medium|| 0
|-
| Big || 0.25
|-
| Huge || 0
|}

'''Note:'''
*Chunks spawn at Nauvis at 1.25%
*Huge Asteroids only spawn past [[Aquilo]]{{SA}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="300px" heights="200px">
aquilo_landscape.png|Example landscape of Aquilo.
aquilo_landscape_main_menu.png|Aquilo seen on the expansion's title screen.
</gallery>

== Trivia ==
* In mythology, Aquilo is the Roman god of the north wind, storms, and winter.
* During development, Aquilo was planned to be home to floating, jellyfish-like enemies, concept art for which were shown in Friday Facts [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-367 #367]. However, they were not implemented due to them making progression "much slower". [https://www.factorio.com/blog/post/fff-429]
* Aquilo's design with ice and liquid ammonia oceans is based on real-world [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice%20planet ice planets].

== History ==
{{history|2.0.7|
* Introduced in [[Space Age]]{{SA}} expansion.
}}

== See also ==
* [[Fulgora]] {{SA}}
* [[Gleba]] {{SA}}
* [[Nauvis]]
* [[Vulcanus]] {{SA}}
* [[Space platform]] {{SA}}

{{C|Planets}}
{{SpaceNav}}

Asteroid collector

2026-02-02T00:06:22Z

Gotube: Fixed that asteroid collectors collect asteroid chunks, not full asteroids

{{Languages}}
{{:Infobox:Asteroid collector}}
{{Stub}}
{{About/Space age}}
The '''Asteroid collector''' collects [[asteroids|asteroid chunk]]s{{SA}} in a 15×15 radius and can collect 5 items with its arm before going back to store them. Higher [[quality]] asteroid collectors increase base health, electricity consumption, collection area, storage size, arm speed, and arm amount.

The center tile of the collection area is five tiles in front of the center tile of the asteroid collector. The image below has a tile ghost in the center of the collection area.

[[File:Center tile of asteroid collection area.png|frameless|alt=An image showing an asteroid collector. The collection area highlight is visible, and there is a tile ghost indicating the center of the collection area.|The tile ghost is the center of the collection area]]

== Placement ==
It must be placed on the edge of a [[space platform]]{{SA}}, with the back 2×3 tiles on the space platform and the front 1×3 tiles (where the arms come out) off of the space platform. The nine (3x3) tiles in front of the asteroid collector must also be empty space.

== History ==
{{history|2.0.7|
* Introduced in [[Space Age]]{{SA}} expansion.
}}

== See also ==
* [[Inserters]]
* [[Storage]]
* [[Stack]]

{{SpaceNav}}
{{C|Resource extraction}}

Agricultural science pack

2026-01-29T21:08:14Z

Gotube: Add wikilinks

{{Languages}}
{{:Infobox:Agricultural science pack}}
{{About/Space age}}
'''Agricultural science pack''' is a [[Gleba]]{{SA}} science pack. It is used in [[lab]]s to [[research]] [[technologies]].

The agricultural science pack is subject to [[spoilage mechanics|spoiling]]. As science packs lose [[spoilage mechanics|freshness]], the value of [[research]] they produce is reduced. This manifests as the pack being consumed faster in labs, which means labs will consume more packs to produce the same amount of research.

The freshness transfers from ingredients to outputs, so fresher ingredients result in fresher products. The freshness of the ingredients of is averaged for the output freshness. Due to this, fresher [[pentapod egg]]s can make up for less fresh [[bioflux]]; a 99% fresh egg and 50% fresh bioflux will yield a 74.5% fresh science pack.

As with other spoilables, higher [[quality]] packs have a longer spoil time and thus lose science value more slowly.

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|research-with-agriculture}}
{{Achievement|rush-to-space}}



== History ==
{{history|2.0.7|
* Introduced in [[Space Age]]{{SA}} expansion.
}}
==Trivia==
* During the closed beta playtesting of Space Age, the agricultural science pack used to have nutrients as an ingredient.

== See also ==
* [[Gleba]]{{SA}}
* [[Research]]
* [[Science pack]]
* [[Technologies]]

{{IntermediateNav}}
{{C|Science packs}}

Research

2026-01-29T15:25:09Z

Gotube: /* Mechanics */ Grammar - fixed comma splice

{{Languages}}
[[File:Technology_Screen.png|400px|thumb|The technology screen]]
'''Research''' is used to unlock [[technologies]], offering new recipes and bonuses. Research is performed by [[lab|labs]] consuming different types of [[science pack|science packs]].

== Mechanics ==

In singleplayer games, only one technology can be researched at a time. The same is true for every [[Multiplayer#PvP|force]] (team of players) in a multiplayer game. In multiplayer games with multiple forces, each force has its own technology tree and research status, so different forces can research independently in [[Multiplayer#PvP|PvP]] games.

The technology to be researched is selected from the technology screen, opened by pressing {{Keybinding|T}} ({{Keybinding|ZL|-}} on [[Nintendo Switch version|Nintendo Switch]]). The currently active research can be changed at any time from the technology screen; if another research is in progress, that progress will be saved. Multiple technologies can be partially researched like this at any one time.

Research progress for a technology is divided into ''units''. Each unit has a time and a science pack cost. When research is in progress, labs with the required amount of science packs for one unit will consume the amount and contribute towards research progress.

[[File:res.png|frame|The progress bar shown in the top right corner of the screen when research is in progress]]

The time ''T'' it will take to research a particular technology is given by:

*<code>T = (T[0] × P) ÷ (L × S)</code> seconds,

where:
*'''''T[0]''''' is the time cost per unit (as shown in Research screen)
*'''''P''''' is the price of the research, in units (as shown in Research screen)
*'''''L''''' is the number of labs used
*'''''S''''' is lab speed, which is given by:
**<code>(1 + B[r]) × (1 + M[r])</code>, where
**'''''B[r]''''' is the total research speed modifier from [[Lab research speed (research)|lab research speed]] research, expressed as a decimal (% value divided by 100); and
**'''''M[r]''''' is the sum of all module effects (Speed modules with <code>+</code> sign, Productivity modules with <code>-</code> sign), expressed as a decimal

''Note that ''P'' represents the research price '''in units''', not in individual science packs summed across all their types. For example, a research that costs 100 [[automation science pack]]s and 100 [[logistic science pack]]s, grouped into 100 units of 1 each of automation and logistic science packs, would have a ''P'' of 100, ''not'' 200.''

Unlike most bonus effects, the lab research speed bonus gained from research is ''multiplicative'' with module speed effects, not additive. However, different module effects (Speed vs. Productivity, beacon vs. in-lab) are additive with each other.

=== Automation ===
[[File:5_5_Labs_R_G_packs.png|400px|thumb|right|A simple lab setup using [[automation science pack]]s and [[logistic science pack]]s, [[belt transport system|belts]], and [[inserters]]]]

Crafting science packs by hand is not feasible, mainly because of the amount of resources and time needed to craft them. Some science packs also require ingredients that cannot be handcrafted, such as [[oil processing|oil products]]. Science pack production automation is the primary incentive for factory development throughout the game.

The insertion of science packs into labs may be automated using [[inserters]] and [[transport belt]]s, as shown to the right, or using [[robots]] and the [[logistic network]].

Note that inserters can take science packs from labs and hand them to other labs, making a lab chain a feasible solution. Other options include using 3 belts (before space science packs are needed), or a [[Glossary#S|sushi belt]].

=== Research queue ===
[[File:Research_Screen_Queue.png|400px|thumb|right|The technology screen with some technologies queued.]]
The research queue allows players to automatically research more technologies after research finishes. The research queue is enabled for new games.

Once the research queue is enabled, a technology can be added to the queue by pressing the "Start Research" button when it is selected. Double-clicking (Double-pressing {{Keybinding|Y}} or {{Keybinding|A}} on [[Nintendo Switch version|Nintendo Switch]]) or using {{Keybinding|shift|lmb}} ({{Keybinding|ZR|A}} on [[Nintendo Switch version|Nintendo Switch]]) on any research in the tree or the list on the left will also add it to the queue. This is particularly useful to queue prerequisites without focusing them in the technology tree.

Technologies in the queue are displayed in the upper left corner of the interface. If a technology is added to the queue, the technologies that depend on it may become available to be added to the queue as well and those technologies are displayed in orange. For example adding the [[Logistics_(research)|logistics]] and [[Logistic_science_pack_(research)|logistic science pack]] technologies to the queue allows the technology [[Logistics_2_(research)|logistics 2]] to be queued. The player can reorder the queue at any time.

To remove a technology from the queue, the technology's image must be hovered in the queue display in the upper left corner and the red button that appears must be pressed.

== 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|
* Now displays the player's SPM (science per minute) in a graph. }}

{{History|1.1.92|
* Added a notification when a technology is researched.
* Added /enable-research-queue console command to enable the research queue without disabling achievements.
* The research queue is enabled by default for new games.}}

{{History|0.17.0|
* Research UI overhauled.
* Research Queue added.}}

{{History|0.15.0|
* Research system overhauled
** There are now 7 science pack types instead of 4, research prices have been changed to compensate.
** Top-tier science pack is no longer obtained by destroying alien nests, but by launching rockets with satellites.
**"Infinite research" mechanic introduced.}}

{{History|0.2.0|
* Introduced}}

== See also ==
* [[Technologies]]
* [[Science pack]]

{{TechNav}}

Agricultural science pack

2026-01-29T14:14:59Z

Gotube: Fixed that the biolab consumes more packs if they aren't fresh, not fewer.

{{Languages}}
{{:Infobox:Agricultural science pack}}
{{About/Space age}}
'''Agricultural science pack''' is a [[Gleba]]{{SA}} science pack. It is used in [[lab]]s to [[research]] [[technologies]].

The agricultural science pack is subject to [[spoilage mechanics|spoiling]]. As science packs lose freshness, the value of research they produce is reduced. This manifests as the pack being consumed faster in labs, which means labs will consume more packs to produce the same amount of research.

The freshness transfers from ingredients to outputs, so fresher ingredients result in fresher products. The freshness of the ingredients of is averaged for the output freshness. Due to this, fresher pentapod eggs can make up for less fresh bioflux; a 99% fresh egg and 50% fresh bioflux will yield a 74.5% fresh science pack.

As with other spoilables, higher [[quality]] packs have a longer spoil time and thus lose science value more slowly.

== Achievements ==
{{Achievement|research-with-agriculture}}
{{Achievement|rush-to-space}}



== History ==
{{history|2.0.7|
* Introduced in [[Space Age]]{{SA}} expansion.
}}
==Trivia==
* During the closed beta playtesting of Space Age, the agricultural science pack used to have nutrients as an ingredient.

== See also ==
* [[Gleba]]{{SA}}
* [[Research]]
* [[Science pack]]
* [[Technologies]]

{{IntermediateNav}}
{{C|Science packs}}

Power production

2024-12-04T21:43:53Z

Gotube: /* Lightning power{{SA}} */ Removed editorializing

{{Languages}}
Electricity has to be produced before it can be transferred to consumers over the [[electric system]]. There are multiple methods to produce electricity:

== Steam engine power ==
Each [[steam engine]] needs 0.5 [[boiler]]s when running at full capacity. One [[offshore pump]] can supply 200 boilers and 400 steam engines.

The above ratio can be calculated from information available in-game: One boiler consumes 1.8MW of fuel and produces energy stored in [[steam]] at 100% efficiency. One steam engine consumes 900kW (0.9MW) of energy stored in steam, so each boiler can supply 2 steam engines: <math>\frac{1.8}{0.9} = 2</math>. One boiler consume 6 unit of [[water]] to produce 60 unit of [[steam]] per second, one steam engine consume 30 steam per second (3 units of water) and one offshore pump produces 1200 water per second, so each offshore pump produces enough water to supply 200 boilers: <math>\frac{1200}{6} = 200</math>. Two steam engines per boiler give us 400. This produces the 1:200:400 ratio.

[[File:SteamSetupExample.png|center|600px|thumb|A possible setup.]]

== Solar panels and accumulators ==

=== Optimal ratio ===

The optimal ratio is 0.84 (21:25) [[accumulator]]s per [[solar panel]], and 23.8 solar panels per megawatt required by your factory (this ratio accounts for solar panels needed to charge the accumulators). This means that you need 1.428 MW of production (of solar panels) and 100MJ of storage to provide 1 MW of power over one day-night cycle.

A "close enough" ratio is 20:24:1 accumulators to solar panels to megawatts required (for example, a factory requiring 10 MW can be approximately entirely powered, day and night, by 200 accumulators and 240 solar panels - this approximation differs from optimal only in that it calls for 2 extra solar panels, which is negligible but remember that the difference between the "close enough" ratio and the optimal ratio increases as you add more solar panels).

This is taken from [http://www.factorioforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=5594 Accumulator / Solar Panel Ratio] (which calculates this in an impressive mathematical way!) and [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?p=143317#p143317 another post in that thread] (which calculates the solar panel to megawatt ratio in a different way).
[[File:9x9_accumulator_solar_panel_example.jpg|300px|thumb|top|A small 9x9 setup demonstrating the 20:24 "close enough" ratio above.]]

=== Calculations ===

The optimal ratio of accumulators per solar panel relies on many values in the game. These include the power generation of a solar panel, the energy storage of an accumulator, the length of a [[Time#Days|day]], and the length of a night. There are also times between day and night called dusk and dawn which complicate the calculations. In vanilla factorio, without mods which change any of these values, the optimal ratio will be the same. This ratio is

<math> \frac{\mathrm{Accumulators}}{\mathrm{SolarPanels}} = \frac{\left( \mathrm{day} + \mathrm{dawn} \right)}{\mathrm{gameday}} \cdot \left( \mathrm{night} + \frac{\mathrm{dawn} \cdot \left( \mathrm{day} + \mathrm{dawn} \right)}{\mathrm{gameday}} \right) \cdot \frac{\mathrm{SolarPower}}{\mathrm{AccumulatorEnergy}} </math>

which, given the default time lengths of: day = 12500/60 s; dawn or dusk = 5000/60 s; night = 2500/60 s, and the default: Solar_power = 60 kW; Accumulator_energy = 5 MJ = 5000 kJ, gives the optimal ratio of 0.84 accumulators per solar panel. If the player uses mods which change the power generation of solar panels, or the energy storage of accumulators, but not the length of days, a simplified version of this equation can be used.
<pre>Accumulators / Solar_panels = 70 s × Solar_power / Accumulator_energy</pre>

This equation could also be used to remember the vanilla optimal ratio given its simplicity. If the only effect the mod has on the game is it changes the total length of one day, without changing the ratio of dusk : day : dawn : night, then the equation can be simplified as
<pre>Accumulators / Solar_panels = 0.002016 /s × game_day </pre>

where game_day is the number of seconds in the game day which is 25000/60 s by default.

=== Vulcanus ===

In Space Age, the day/night cycle on Vulcanus is 90 seconds with each phase of that cycle proportionally smaller: day = 45 s; dawn or dusk = 18 s; night = 9 s. The formula above simplifies to:

<pre>Accumulators / Solar_panels = 15.2 s × Solar_power / Accumulator_energy</pre>

Additionally, solar power production in Vulcanus atmosphere is 400% of that of Nauvis. With normal quality solar panels and accumulators, the ratio is 0.72576 accumulator per solar panel. 3 accumulators per 4 panel is pretty close.

=== See also ===

* [http://www.factorioforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=5168 Perfectly optimal solar network (Factorio forums)]
* [http://www.factorioforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=5394 Solar ratios (Factorio forums)]
* [http://www.factorioforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7619 1 solar panel produces 42KW after factoring in the night (Factorio forums)]
* [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?p=629003#p629003 Day-Night cycle times in Space Age and Solar Power (Factorio forums)]
* [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=119040 Solar Power in Space Age - Definitive Ratios for Planets, Qualities and Throughput-Limits (Factorio forums)]

== Nuclear power ==
[[File:Nuclear setup.png|thumb|700px|right|Uranium processing for nuclear power.]]
:''See also: [[Tutorial:Nuclear power]]''
In general, nuclear power is produced by the following production chain: [[Uranium ore]] is mined and [[Uranium processing|processed]] to [[uranium-235]] and [[uranium-238]], then [[uranium fuel cell]]s are created from the two. These fuel cells are then burned in a [[nuclear reactor]] to create heat. The heat can be used to convert [[water]] to [[steam]] using a [[heat exchanger]] and the steam can be consumed by [[steam turbine]]s to produce power.

A reactor without neighbor bonus needs 4 heat exchangers so that all its heat gets consumed. For each 100% neighbor bonus, the reactor needs 4 more heat exchangers.

{| class="wikitable"
! Ideal Ratio !! Simple Ratio !! Building
|-
| 2 || 1 ||{{imagelink|Offshore pump}}
|-
| 233 || 116(12) || {{imagelink|Heat exchanger}}
|-
| 400 || 200(20) || {{imagelink|Steam turbine}}
|}

== Heating tower {{SA}} ==

The [[Heating tower]], initially researched on [[Gleba]], is an alternate source of heat for [[Heat pipe]]s and [[Heat exchanger]]s. Unlike nuclear reactors, heating towers are traditional [[burner devices]], burning standard [[fuel]]s.

Heating towers burn fuel, extracting 16MW of power from the fuel. However, because they have 250% efficiency, they generate 40MW of heat from the fuel. Like a nuclear reactor, the heat must be transferred to heat exchangers to generate useful electricity. Since they use the same fuel, but can produce 2.5x the energy from it, one can think of a heating tower as a [[boiler]] "Mk 2".

A single heating tower can produce the same power output as a single nuclear reactor. However, they do not get neighbor bonuses the way reactors do. As such, the ratio of heating towers to exchangers is always 1:4.

Like reactors, they have a maximum temperature of 1000 C. And also like reactors, they will continue to burn fuel even after they reach their maximum temperature. This gives them a secondary use as a quick way to dispose of unwanted burnable materials, such as excess fruit products/[[spoilage]] on Gleba or excess solid fuel on [[Fulgora]].

Note that heating towers produce more pollution per MW of power produced than boilers, even for the same energy output. This only matters for [[Nauvis]]; using heating towers for power, or even [[biter egg]] disposal, can draw [[Enemies]] to your base.

== Lightning power{{SA}} ==
On Fulgora, when a [[lightning rod]] or [[lightning collector]] is struck by lightning, it becomes a short-lived source of electrical power. The way it works is as follows.

A rod/collector has an energy capacity as well as an efficiency (the latter varies by [[quality]]). When a lightning bolt strikes, the energy stored in the rod/collector is charged by the percentage of its total energy capacity. A base quality rod has a capacity of 500 MJ and 20% efficiency, so a single bolt will charge the collector by 20% of 500 MJ, or 100 MJ.

Rods/collectors have a discharge rate of 150 MW. When they have stored energy, they will discharge 150 MJ of their stored energy per second into the [[Electric system]] it is attached to. This will provide power to any buildings attached to it, as well as [[accumulator]]s. However, if the local electrical network cannot consume all 150 MW of power output, it will still be drained from the stored capacity. So lightning power is a "use it or lose it" arrangement.

A base quality lightning rod struck by a single bolt will only generate 150 MW of power for 0.67 seconds. A base quality lightning collector will generate 150 MW for 2.67 seconds. The principle advantages of collectors is the larger range for lightning strikes and their longer discharge times.

The key to taking advantage of this is to use accumulators, in large quantities. Each accumulator can only be charged by 0.3 MW (at base quality). Since rods/collectors discharge so much energy all at once, you need a lot of accumulators to capture it. It would require 500 accumulators to not waste any energy from a single lightning rod. If rods/collectors cover a large area, many of them will get struck through the night, allowing accumulators to reliably charge during the night at their full power. They can then discharge throughout the day.

== Fusion power{{SA}} ==
Fusion power requires the production of two ingredients to function: [[fusion power cell]]s and [[fluoroketone (cold)]]. Both can only be produced on [[Aquilo]] using the planet's exclusive fluid resources, and [[holmium plate]]s imported from [[Fulgora]].

[[Fusion reactor]]s consume the power cells, cold fluoroketone, and electricity to produce [[plasma]]. The plasma is fed into [[fusion generator]]s which produce electricity and [[fluoroketone (hot)]]. The hot fluoroketone must then be fed into a [[cryogenic plant]] to cool it back down, which can produce an self-sustaining loop. However, as the reactors require electricity (10 mW) to generate plasma, there must be some other power source already on the network to jump-start the system. After that, even a single fusion generator will create enough power to sustain the reactor.

Because the fluids which produce the power cells and hot fluoroketone cannot be [[barrel|barrelled]], production of them is confined to Aquilo. However, as the cold fluoroketone ''can'' be barreled, it and the power cells can be shipped to other planets with relative ease.

=== Ratio calculations ===

Fusion reactors produce plasma at a base temperature of <math>1,M^\circ \text{C}</math>. Each directly connected reactor adds an additional <math>1,M^\circ \text{C}</math> to the maximum achievable plasma temperature. The actual plasma temperature depends on the neighbor bonuses, which are determined by the arrangement of reactors and their current plasma production rate. For example, if a reactor produces plasma at its maximum rate, all reactors connected to this reactor receive a 100% neighbor bonus. The temperature used by generators is the average plasma temperature of all reactors in the setup.

The optimal ratio of fusion reactors to generators can be calculated in a single step:

<math>G = (R + N) \cdot \frac{P_{O}}{P_{C}}</math>

where:

* <math>G</math> is the optimal number of fusion generators for the given reactor setup
* <math>R</math> is the number of fusion reactors
* <math>N</math> is the sum of the neighbor bonuses of all reactors (expressed as an integer)
* <math>P_O</math> is the maximum plasma output of a reactor
* <math>P_C</math> is the maximum plasma consumption of a generator

Thus, the optimal reactor-to-generator ratio is <math>R:G</math>

If the fusion reactors and generators have the same quality tier (e.g. normal), then the formula simplifies to:

<math>G = 2 \cdot (R + N)</math>

'''Note''':

* This formula applies to all quality tiers and mixed setups where reactors and generators share the same quality tier respectively.
* Initially, a not fully utilized fusion power setup will produce plasma at a lower temperature than what is possible. As more power is needed, more plasma is produced, and therefore the neighbor bonuses rise. With rising neighbor bonuses, the resulting plasma temperature also increases, resulting in more efficient plasma usage. This cycle continues until the setup reaches its maximum plasma temperature, allowing it to deliver peak power output.

== Ensuring enough energy is produced ==

Try this checklist before you completely revamp your power source. You may also use this to rectify [[Glossary#B|brownouts/blackouts]].

* Did you connect the steam engine to the [[electric system]]? If not, a small yellow triangle will flash. To fix, Add some [[Small electric pole|power poles]] near the steam engines that go to machines needing that power. Any power pole will work.
* Is steam able to reach all steam engines?
* Do your pipes have water? Look at the windows in the pipes, hover over the pipes! Place some pipes or a tank at the end to see if there is really water coming through. If not, ensure all [[pipe]]s or [[Pipe to ground|underground pipes]] are connected together.
* Is the factory producing enough fuel (coal, solid fuel, uranium fuel cells)?
* Are there enough steam generators (boilers, heat exchangers)?
* Are there enough steam engines/turbines?

See also the [[Tutorial:Applied_power_math|applied power math tutorial]] to answer the question ''how much coal do I need?''

{{C|Production{{!}}#Power production}} {{C|Energy{{!}}#Power production}}

Space platform

2024-11-29T00:57:10Z

Gotube: /* Creation and deletion */ Add the requirement that a character be on a platform

{{Languages}}
{{Stub}}
{{About/Space age}}
[[File:Space platform.jpg|thumb|Space platform example provided by Wube in "Friday Facts #381 - Space Platforms"]]

'''Space platforms''' are factories that can be built in outer space. Each space platform is a self-contained factory supported by a [[space platform hub]].

== Purpose ==
Broadly speaking, there are three purposes which space platforms might serve:
* To perform recipes that can only be performed in space, such as when manufacturing [[space science pack]]s.
* To transport players and items between planets.
* To collect and process [[asteroids]].

== Creation and deletion ==
Space platforms are created by loading a [[space platform starter pack]] into a rocket and pressing the button to create a new space platform. Alternatively, players may order the creation of a space platform from the remote view through the list on the top-left corner of the screen, in which case the necessary space platform starter pack is treated as a request from a not-yet-existing space platform around the specified planet. Either way, players are then allowed to name their new space platform. Note that space platforms can later be renamed from the menus of their space platform hubs.

Platforms can be deleted. After confirming that the platform is to be deleted, the deleted platform goes into a queue, which is located at the bottom of the platform list. Should the player regret their decision, then this gives several minutes to decide if they want to undo the removal of the platform before it is permanently deleted.

If the platform hub is destroyed, the entire space platform and all of its contents are lost. If any [[player|character]] is aboard when this happens, the character will respawn at the last planet they were at before going to space.

== Construction ==
Unlike planetary surfaces, space platforms can only be seen and edited by using the remote view. Therefore, players will order the construction of a space platform by placing ghosts. Instead of [[construction robot]]s being used for constructing the space platform, the platform itself will automatically construct ghost entities and move ghost items to and from the platform hub as soon as materials are available and these actions are not obstructed. If the necessary materials are not available, they will be automatically requested from the planet at which the space platform is stationed.

A newly-created space platform consists of a 10x10 square of [[space platform foundation]] with a [[space platform hub]] in its center, all surrounded by empty space. Unlike most buildings, the space platform hub can not be removed, and its destruction directly results in the loss of the entire space platform.

As nothing can be built on empty space, the platform must first be expanded with more space platform foundation. The platform's foundation must consist of a single connected area with no detached islands, and holes of empty space surrounded by foundation are not allowed; Should these rules be broken, then the violating tiles will not be built or removed before the issue is resolved.

[[Asteroid collector]]s and [[thruster]]s can only be built on the edge of the platform. In particular, thrusters can only be built on the southern edge, and no foundation can be built within the rectangular area extending from the southern edge of the thruster towards infinity.

The entire platform surface functions as an electrical connection, so space platforms do not need any power poles.

=== Building restrictions ===
Some buildings can not be built on space platforms:
* [[Chests]] can't be built in space. The main storage device is the platform hub.
* [[Robots]] and [[roboport]]s don't function in space, and no [[railway]] items can be built.
* [[Burner devices]] can't be built in space. According to [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-381 FFF-381], this is to add "a bit of realism as there's no atmosphere in space".
* Advanced buildings that require certain surface conditions can't be built on the platform, such as the [[biochamber]] and [[biolab]]s. This is the same as for any other surface.

Electric poles can be built, but the global electric network covering the entire platform powers all devices. As such, electric poles are only useful as a way to [[circuit network|wire together]] distant entities.

== Transport between planets and space platforms ==

To transport players and items between a planet's surface and a space platform, the space platform must be stationed in orbit around the planet.

Items are delivered up to a platform by launching a [[rocket]] from a [[rocket silo]]. This can be done in one of three ways:
* Filling the rocket manually or using by inserters, then manually sending the rocket towards the space platform by using the rocket silo's menu. This method allows sending rockets with several different types of items inside the same rocket, but can not be automated.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub, then filling a rocket with items of a type that is being requested, either manually or using by inserters. The rocket will then launch automatically. Only one type of item may be sent per rocket using this method.
* Assigning logistic requests to the space platform hub while having a rocket silo set to request items from the logistic network. This allows [[logistic robot]]s to fill the rocket automatically, and the rocket will launch automatically when full. Only one type of item will be sent per rocket.

The space platform hub will automatically request any items that are needed for construction of the platform. Automatic requests can receive items from any planet, whereas manual requests will only be fulfilled at one planet specified by the player. For manual requests, it is also possible to set a custom minimum payload per rocket instead of only accepting full rockets.

Items can be sent to a planet orbited by a space platform in one of two ways:
* Manually moving items into the platform hub's orbital drop slots.
* Assigning logistic requests to a planet's [[cargo landing pad]].

The items will then be carried to the planet's surface by [[cargo pod]]s. If the planet has a cargo landing pad, then the cargo pods will go there, placing their payloads directly inside the cargo landing pad's inventory (spilling the items if the cargo landing pad is already full). Otherwise, the cargo pod will land at a random location near the planet's spawn point. Landed cargo pods will wait for players to collect their payloads, and are automatically destroyed when emptied.

Unlike transfers from a planet's surface to a space platform, transfers from space platforms to planetary surfaces come at no material costs despite the appearance of a cargo pod.

== Passengers ==
Player characters can travel to space platforms by riding a rocket, and can likewise leave the platform in a cargo pod.

One character traveling to a space platform takes up an entire rocket, and is not allowed to carry any items in their inventory, except for their equipped weapons and armor (but not ammunition). All other items must be transferred to the space platform hub in separate rockets.

Characters aboard space platforms are locked inside the space platform hub, unable to move. The player is therefore locked into remote view until they drop their character to a planetary surface. Note that there is no way to access a player's inventory while in this state.

== Travel ==
Space platforms with one or more [[thruster]]s are able to perform voyages between different space locations, such as planets. The more thrusters that are installed on a platform, the faster the platform can get to its destination, but this also causes asteroids to appear faster and threaten the platform. When the thrusters are stopped while in mid-destination, the platform will slowly move toward the destination it's closer to via gravitational pull.

=== Weight ===
Platform weight depends on how many [[space platform foundation]] tiles the platform has. Each tile of [[space platform foundation]] weighs 200kg or 0.2 tons. The [[space platform hub]] itself weighs 20 tons. Notably, extra [[cargo bay]]s do not increase the platform's weight (aside from requiring [[space platform foundation]] under them).

== Asteroids ==
{{main|asteroids}}

Space platforms regularly encounter [[asteroids]].

The smallest asteroids are called "chunks". Chunks can be collected by [[asteroid collector]]s and processed into various raw materials by [[crusher]]s. Among other uses, it is possible to convert these materials into thruster fuel.

Asteroids larger than chunks may also appear. However, they cannot be grabbed by asteroid collectors, and will damage the space platform upon impact. They can be targeted by turrets, and can be broken into multiple smaller asteroids by reducing their "health" to 0. This is done repeatedly until they become chunks.

During voyages, the number and relative velocity of asteroids increases proportionally to the platform's speed. It is therefore dangerous for a space platform to travel faster than it can destroy the asteroids that it will encounter. Different locations contain different amounts of each type of asteroid, and routes between locations may vary these numbers over the course of a journey. For example, only chunks will appear in stationary orbit around [[Nauvis]], thus providing a safe building environment free of larger asteroids that may damage the platform.

== Access to basic resources ==
* {{NavboxIconLink|Water}} can be obtained from {{NavboxIconLink|oxide asteroid chunk}}s via {{NavboxIconLink|oxide asteroid crushing}} and {{NavboxIconLink|ice melting}}.
* {{NavboxIconLink|Stone}} is not obtainable and must be brought up from planets.
* {{NavboxIconLink|Iron ore}} can be obtained from {{NavboxIconLink|metallic asteroid chunk}}s via {{NavboxIconLink|metallic asteroid crushing}}.
* {{NavboxIconLink|Copper ore}} can be obtained from {{NavboxIconLink|metallic asteroid chunk}}s via {{NavboxIconLink|advanced metallic asteroid crushing}}.
* {{NavboxIconLink|Coal}} can be obtained from {{NavboxIconLink|carbonic asteroid chunk}}s via {{NavboxIconLink|coal synthesis}} by using {{NavboxIconLink|carbon}} and {{NavboxIconLink|sulfur}} from {{NavboxIconLink|advanced carbonic asteroid crushing}}.
* {{NavboxIconLink|Crude oil}} is not obtainable. However:
** {{NavboxIconLink|Sulfur}} can be obtained via {{NavboxIconLink|advanced carbonic asteroid crushing}}.
** {{NavboxIconLink|Heavy oil}} can be obtained via {{NavboxIconLink|Simple coal liquefaction}} using {{NavboxIconLink|Calcite}} obtained from {{NavboxIconLink|advanced oxide asteroid crushing}}.

== History ==
{{history|2.0.14|
* Deletion of space platforms requires confirmation.}}

{{history|2.0.7|
* Introduced in [[Space Age]]{{SA}} expansion.
}}

{{SpaceNav}}