The overarching goal of Satisfactory is to improve production systems and construct more complex factories. The Space Elevator is the central feature that drives this progression and a major structure you construct to advance through the game’s different phases.
It operates like a large-scale delivery network that launches specially engineered parts into space. In this article, we will guide you through building the Space Elevator.
How To Build A Space Elevator in Satisfactory
Successfully constructing the Space Elevator in Satisfactory hinges on knowing both the resource requirements and its role in advancing the game.
The materials required to build the Space Elevator structure itself in the early stages of the game are:
- 500 Concrete
- 250 Iron Plates
- 400 Iron Rods
- 500 Wire
These are relatively easy to collect early in the game. Concrete can be produced from Limestone using a Constructor. Iron Plates, Rods, and Wire can be crafted from iron ingots and copper using a smelter and constructor setup.
Once you have these materials, press Q to open the build menu and search for the Space Elevator under the Special Buildings category. Select the Space Elevator and then find an open space large enough to place it.
It's a large construction, so make sure you have enough space. Once you find a suitable location, position the blueprint until it turns blue (indicating it can be built) and press the Left Mouse Button (LMB) to place it.
While the Space Elevator itself does not require power, you will need to set up machines (such as Constructors and Assemblers) powered by generators to process the necessary materials for future upgrades.
Once the Space Elevator is built, you can interact with it by walking up and pressing E. This will allow you to access the menu where the Elevator will unlock higher tiers in the HUB after completing specific phases.
Phases 1, 2, and 3 each have a separate set of requirements. These phases involve much more complicated and resource-intensive items like Smart Plating, Versatile Framework, Modular Engines, and Adaptive Control Units. These phases unlock higher technology tiers in the HUB.
Building and upgrading the Space Elevator in Satisfactory can be costly, especially as you advance through the different phases. The initial construction of the Elevator itself is fairly affordable and only requires basic resources. But the costs go up considerably as you progress through the game.
Here’s everything you need to know about progressing through all the tiers in every phase:
Phase 1 (Tiers 3-4)
- Requirements: 50 Smart Plating
- You'll need an Assembler to combine Reinforced Iron Plates and Rotors. Reinforced Iron Plates are crafted from Iron Plates and Screws, while Rotors are made from Iron Rods and Screws.
- Unlocks: After delivering 50 Smart Plating, Tiers 3 and 4 unlock, bringing essential technologies such as Coal Power, Vehicular Transport, and Basic Steel Production to Tier 3. Tier 4 introduces Advanced Steel Production and Hyper Tubes.
Phase 2 (Tiers 5-6)
- Requirements: 500 Smart Plating, 500 Versatile Framework, 100 Automated Wiring
- You can produce a Versatile Framework by using Modular Frames and Steel Beams in an Assembler, and Automated Wiring is crafted from Stators and Wire. Stators themselves are made from Steel Pipes and Wire.
Automating the production of these parts is essential, as handcrafting them is too slow and inefficient. Automated production lines for Smart Plating, Versatile Framework, and Automated Wiring will save time.
- Unlocks: Completion of Phase 2 gives access to Tiers 5 and 6, which provide advanced technologies like Oil Processing, Industrial Manufacturing, and Monorail Train technology.
Phase 3 (Tiers 7-8)
This phase is the most resource-intensive and will require significantly scaling up your automation. Keep existing production lines for the Versatile Framework running, but you may need additional Assemblers and Manufacturers to meet the demand for Modular Engines and Adaptive Control Units.
- Requirements: 2,500 Versatile Framework, 500 Modular Engines, 100 Adaptive Control Units
- Modular Engines are made by combining Motors, Smart Plating, and Rubber. Adaptive Control Units require Automated Wiring, Circuit Boards, Heavy Modular Frames, and Computers.
- Unlocks: This phase grants access to Tiers 7 and 8, which introduce high-end technologies like Bauxite Refinement, Advanced Aluminum Production, and Nuclear Power.
You should build the Space Elevator near or near your main base. This will serve as a navigation point and help you orient yourself when exploring distant areas of the map.
While it is technically possible to manually craft items for the Space Elevator, doing so for phases beyond the first is impractical. Ensure you’ve automated most materials before advancing since higher-tier milestones become more complex.
For quicker progression, especially in later phases, you can manually feed materials like Automated Wiring and Adaptive Control Units into the Elevator. Even so, automation will generally save time in the long run.
Since certain items (like Modular Engines) are not used beyond Space Elevator deliveries, you can put any surplus into the AWESOME Sink for extra points once deliveries are complete.
Planning your automation early, especially for the harder-to-make components, is recommended if you want a smooth progression through the game's many milestones.
What aspect of building the Space Elevator do you find most challenging? Comment down below!
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