Start here
Recent Features
Observatory Command has expanded beyond single-site management into a persistent multiplayer research network. This page summarizes the major systems added to the current build and links to the detailed handbook articles.
Up to three active observatories
Each player may operate up to three active observatories. Every observatory has its own permanent ledger identity, public name, balances, datasets, coalition membership, co-op activity, and save history.
Observatory ManagementA mission browser instead of an endless list
The in-game Mission Board pins the active assignment and organizes opportunities with paging, search, status, level, type, science-category, reward, and deadline controls. Data Ready highlights missions your Archive can already support.
Grants & ContractsScience categories now have icons and colors
Radio, Optical, Solar, Lunar, Moving Objects, Exoplanet, and General Science use the same visual badges across the Data Archive, missions, coalition projects, and cooperative missions.
Dataset LifecycleLimited mission networks
Co-op missions now have a dedicated workspace, a complete participant roster, contribution diagnostics, and both minimum and maximum observatory counts. Players reserve limited slots before committing resources.
Cooperative MissionsRankings and discipline influence
Coalitions compete through a public leaderboard and a hex-territory influence map. Dataset contribution credit determines discipline territory, making specialized smaller coalitions visible even when they are not first overall.
Coalition Influence MapGovernance and succession
Founder leadership belongs to an observatory. Founder retirement triggers merit-aware succession, and qualifying members can initiate a server-authoritative Vote of No Confidence with quorum, cooldowns, private ballots, and governance protections.
Coalition GovernanceOther quality-of-life changes
- Nightly data quality now enters an accelerated recovery mode after missed observing nights until the earlier baseline is restored.
- Data Operations are normalized to tenths so a displayed value such as 2.0 DO is also spendable as 2.0 DO.
- Blocked actions now explain the exact missing requirement instead of silently doing nothing.
- Gameplay tips can appear on startup, cycle to another tip, be disabled, and later be re-enabled from the help menu.
- Retired/orphaned observatories leave active coalitions and marketplace activity while permanent scientific and transaction history remains preserved.