Science & progression
Dataset Lifecycle
Datasets are the bridge between the single-observatory simulation and the shared multiplayer economy. They represent scientific work that can retain provenance, processing status, quality, ownership, and license rights.
Telescope activity and focused programs create observation packets or reviewed scientific results.
Data Reduction Cabins turn raw scientific potential into usable work and can improve the value of the data pipeline.
Interactive review tasks can convert ambiguous packets into verified findings and permanent dataset records.
When synchronized to the shared ledger, the dataset receives a permanent server identity and provenance.
The owner can publish, license, sell, or contribute the dataset according to its current rights state.
Trades and contributions do not erase provenance; historical ownership and settlement remain in the audit trail.
Science-type visual language
Dataset categories use a consistent icon + color + text system across the Data Archive, missions, cooperative missions, and coalition projects. Color is never the only identifier.
| Icon | Science type | Typical badge color |
|---|---|---|
| ◉ | Radio Astronomy | Cyan |
| ✦ | Optical Survey | Violet |
| ☀ | Solar Astronomy | Amber |
| ◐ | Lunar Science | Blue-gray |
| ☄ | Moving Objects | Orange |
| ◎ | Exoplanet Research | Green |
| ◇ | General Science | Slate |
| ✣ | Any Science | Neutral; requirement wildcard rather than a dataset discipline |
Archive organization
The Data Archive groups datasets by science type and supports filters for processing stage and mission use. Dataset cards retain the category badge, making it easier to compare the Archive against mission or coalition requirements.
What determines usefulness?
Dataset category, processing stage, quality/confidence, scientific value, novelty, age, existing licenses, mission requirements, and marketplace demand can all affect where a dataset is most valuable.
When an action is unavailable, the interface attempts to explain the exact blocker—for example a quality threshold, required processing stage, wrong science type, or ownership/right restriction.