Space platform
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Space Age expansion exclusive feature.
Space platforms are mobile factories that exist in outer space between planets. Space platforms can be used to:
- Manufacture the space science pack.
- Carry the engineer to another planet.
- Transport and drop off items between planets on a schedule, similar to trains.
- Collect and pulverize asteroids.
Each space platform is a self-contained factory supported by a space platform hub. Space platforms are expanded by building space platform foundation. The entire platform surface functions as an electrical connection, so space platforms do not need any power poles.
Platforms have several building restrictions:
- Chests can't be built in space. The main storage device is the platform hub.
- Robots and roboports don't function in space, and no railway items can be built
- Burner devices can't be built in space.
- Advanced buildings that require certain planets or pressures can't be built on the platform, such as the bio chamber and biolabs.
Platforms encounter asteroids which can be blown apart by turrets. Asteroid chunks can then be grabbed by asteroid collectors and processed into useful materials by crushers. Large asteroids that directly hit the space platform can damage it and destroy buildings. If the platform hub is destroyed, the entire space platform and all of its contents are lost.
Making a platform move requires building thrusters and also manufacturing thruster fuel and thruster oxidiser on the platform.
When the engineer rides on a platform, they are immobilized inside the platform hub and cannot spacewalk. Everything on the platform is built remotely and automatically. The engineer cannot put anything into their inventory while on a platform.
Logistics
Delivering items up to a platform requires launching a rocket from a rocket silo.
Platforms can deliver items down to a planet surface by dropping them into the platform hub's orbital drop slots. These items are then captured by a cargo landing pad on the planet. You do not have to build any drop containers, sending items down is free.
Weight
Platform weight depends on how many space platform foundations you use. Each space platform foundation weighs 200kg or 0.2 tons. Space platform hub itself weighs 20 tons. Notably extra cargo bays don't weigh anything extra (aside from the space platform foundation under them).