Understand the difference between the HUB progression tiers and the parallel discovery paths available through the MAM.
HUB milestones drive core progression
The HUB terminal accepts specified resources to complete milestone objectives, unlocking buildings, equipment and recipes. Tier progression is organized alongside the Space Elevator phases, so not every later milestone is immediately available.
Read the exact current resource requirements in your save before committing inventory. Delivery to the HUB is part of the unlock process; storing the parts nearby does not mean the milestone has been completed.
The MAM provides parallel research
The Molecular Analysis Machine uses collected materials and discoveries for additional research trees. It complements the HUB rather than replacing its milestone tiers.
A player focused entirely on HUB objectives can miss useful quality-of-life unlocks associated with exploration and samples. Examine the MAM after returning from a new biome or finding unfamiliar resources.
- 01Pick one HUB objective and note its costs.
- 02Open available MAM research branches.
- 03Choose which unlock removes your present production bottleneck.
Do not confuse the next reward with availability
A machine may appear in a guide but remain locked behind a milestone or research path you have not completed. Check the item description and its actual unlock source before planning a large production build.
Research order affects convenience and factory layout. Keep a small stock of common parts for experimenting with new technology, but do not sacrifice your active production line to craft everything ahead of demand.
Editorial sources
References to official publishers or specialist game wikis, depending on the topic. Mechanics may change after the last editorial check.
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