Science & progression
Research System
Research has two related currencies: Research Output (RO/day), which represents ongoing scientific productivity, and Research Points (RP), which are accumulated/spent progression resources.
Research Output
Your live science-production rate. Buildings, staff, power, maintenance, weather, lunar conditions, directives, and processing capacity all influence how much useful work the observatory produces.
Research Points
A stored resource used for technology progression and other research commitments. Missions, discoveries, and multiplayer systems can also award or consume RP.
Progression chain
Build and operate telescope/science facilities with adequate power and staff.
Daily scientific productivity and rewards build a spendable research reserve.
Research technology nodes to improve operations and open higher research ranks.
Choose scientific focuses that generate discoveries and improve relevant mission work.
Use the improved facility, staff, and processing network to take harder missions and create more valuable datasets.
Continue with Technology Tree and Research Directives.