Spacecraft Base Building Materials for Every Module Early Access

This article explains which base building materials you need for every module in Spacecraft’s Early Access, covering all current buildable parts and their resource costs. You’ll get a complete material list per module, tips for efficient resource gathering, and answers to common questions about the early access building system.

Background: What Is Spacecraft Early Access?

Spacecraft is a space station and base building simulation game currently in Early Access on PC. Players construct modular bases on planetary surfaces or in orbit, connecting habitation, power, production, and science modules. Unlike the full release, Early Access includes a limited set of modules and materials, which are subject to change as the developers add content. Understanding the current material requirements is essential for efficient base planning, especially since resources are finite and often require exploration or mining.

How Base Building Works in Early Access

In Spacecraft, you place modules on a grid, and each module requires specific materials to be constructed. Materials are stored in a global inventory and are consumed when you confirm a build. The game provides a blueprint view showing the exact quantities needed. Modules connect via corridors and share power and life support automatically, but each module has its own material cost based on its function and size.

The core loop involves:

• Scanning for resource deposits (iron, carbon, silicon, etc.)
• Deploying miners or manually collecting with a rover
• Refining raw ore into usable materials (e.g., iron ore → iron ingot)
• Using the build menu to place modules and confirm construction

Early Access currently includes about 20 modules across categories: habitat, power, resource, science, and structural. Each has a unique material list, but many share common components like iron plates and wiring.

Complete Material List for Every Module

Here is the full breakdown of materials required for each module type in the current Early Access build (version 0.4.1). Quantities are per module instance.

Habitat Modules

• Basic Habitat (Crew Quarters): 50 Iron Plate, 20 Glass, 10 Wiring, 5 Life Support Unit
• Large Habitat: 120 Iron Plate, 45 Glass, 25 Wiring, 12 Life Support Unit, 4 Air Filter
• Observation Dome: 30 Iron Plate, 60 Glass, 8 Wiring, 2 Life Support Unit

Power Modules

• Small Solar Panel: 20 Iron Plate, 15 Silicon Wafer, 5 Wiring
• Large Solar Array: 60 Iron Plate, 40 Silicon Wafer, 15 Wiring, 2 Power Regulator
• Fuel Cell Generator: 40 Iron Plate, 10 Copper Coil, 15 Wiring, 1 Reactor Core
• Wind Turbine: 35 Iron Plate, 5 Wiring, 3 Gear Assembly

Resource & Production Modules

• Ore Extractor: 45 Iron Plate, 20 Wiring, 5 Motor, 2 Drill Head
• Refinery: 80 Iron Plate, 30 Wiring, 10 Copper Coil, 4 Heating Element
• Assembler: 70 Iron Plate, 25 Wiring, 8 Motor, 1 Control Unit
• Water Purifier: 50 Iron Plate, 15 Glass, 10 Wiring, 3 Filter Membrane

Science Modules

• Research Lab: 60 Iron Plate, 20 Glass, 30 Wiring, 5 Circuit Board, 1 Data Core
• Observatory: 40 Iron Plate, 50 Glass, 15 Wiring, 2 Lens Array

Structural Modules

• Corridor (1×1): 20 Iron Plate, 4 Glass, 2 Wiring
• Corridor (2×1): 35 Iron Plate, 8 Glass, 4 Wiring
• Air Lock: 25 Iron Plate, 6 Glass, 5 Wiring, 1 Seal Ring
• Storage Container: 30 Iron Plate, 2 Wiring

How to Choose Which Modules to Build First

Your early game priorities determine the order. A typical progression is:

1. Start with a Basic Habitat for crew survival.
2. Add a Solar Panel for power (or wind if on a windy planet).
3. Build an Ore Extractor on a resource node.
4. Set up a Refinery to process raw ore.
5. Construct an Assembler to craft advanced components.
6. Finally, a Research Lab to unlock new tech.

This order ensures you have power, resources, and production before expanding into large habitats or science. Check your planet’s resource map to avoid building extractors on the wrong node type.

Common Problems and How to Solve Them

Players often run into these issues:

• Material shortage: Iron plates run out fast. Build multiple extractors on iron nodes early.
• Glass not available: Glass is made from silicon ore in the refinery. Ensure you have a silicon node nearby.
• Wiring bottleneck: Wiring requires copper, which is less common. Prioritize copper mining.
• Power failure: Check your power output vs. consumption. Add batteries or more generators.
• Module not connecting: Ensure you have a corridor path and enough space. Rotate modules to align ports.

If a module is red in the build menu, you lack materials or the connection is invalid. Hover over the module for a tooltip listing missing items.

Costs and Resource Management Tips

Total resources for a basic base (habitat + solar + extractor + refinery) are roughly: 145 Iron Plate, 15 Glass, 25 Wiring, 5 Motor, 2 Drill Head, 15 Silicon Wafer, and 10 Copper Coil. That’s about 200 iron ore, 50 silicon ore, and 30 copper ore after refining. Always carry a spare of each material in your rover for repairs.

Use the in-game logistics view to see resource flow. Automate mining with extractors and use conveyor belts to move ore to the refinery. Avoid manual hauling as it wastes time.

Safety and Structural Integrity

While not a survival game, Spacecraft has structural integrity mechanics. Modules must be supported; building too far without reinforcements causes collapse. Use structural pillars (made of 10 Iron Plate each) every 3-4 modules. In low gravity, you can build taller, but still respect the support limits.

Also, ensure your base is airtight. A single unsealed corridor leaks oxygen. Use air locks at entrances and check for gaps. The game shows a red overlay if a room is not sealed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I recycle modules to get materials back?
A: Yes, deconstructing a module returns 50% of its materials. Plan carefully to avoid wasting resources.

Q: Are there any modules that require rare materials?
A: The Research Lab and Observatory require Data Core and Lens Array, which are crafted from rare ores found on meteorites or deep caves. These are end-game components.

Q: How do I get more Iron Plate quickly?
A: Set up multiple extractors on iron nodes and connect them directly to a refinery with conveyors. Upgrade your refinery’s speed with modules if available.

Q: Does the material list change with each update?
A: Yes, Early Access updates often tweak costs. Check the patch notes or in-game build menu for the latest requirements.

Q: Can I build modules on any planet?
A: No, some planets lack certain ores. Use the scanner to check resource availability before landing.

Q: What is the best power source for a small base?
A: A single Large Solar Array provides enough power for 2-3 modules. Add a Fuel Cell Generator for night or cloudy planets.

Related

• Mixed Number to Improper Fraction: How to Convert
• Volume Macintosh HD Was Found Corrupt? Fixes Explained
• WD Book Data Recovery: What It Means & How to Do It

in t | Time (min) | min | 60 | 0
in d | Distance (km) | km | 10 | 0
out pace | Average pace (min/km) | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed (km/h) | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2