Hardcore Noir Space Survival Sim

Ostranauts Wiki

Build and repair a working ship, salvage derelicts, manage crew moods and schedules, and keep fuel, oxygen, power, food, and debt under control.

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Ostranauts Guides

Everything you need to survive, salvage and thrive in Ostranauts

Latest Updates

Discover the newest guides, tips, and content

ostranauts russian translation: Status & Setup Guide

Check the Ostranauts Russian translation status, understand current language support, and set up community translation files safely.

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ostranauts better bed: Sleep Setup Guide and Tips

Learn how to get better sleep in Ostranauts with bed use, roster timing, fast-forward settings, and practical recovery tips.

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ostranauts best starting skills: Setup Guide & Tips

Choose the best starting skills, remove harmful traits, and build a reliable Ostranauts character for early salvage work.

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ostranauts mods: Setup Guide, Tools, History & Safety Tips

Learn how to evaluate Ostranauts mods, use repair shortcuts, manage ship editor history, and avoid common construction mistakes.

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ostranauts salvage permit: Step-by-Step Selling Guide

Learn how salvage permits, docking clearance, repairs, trade desks, and mortgage payments fit into an Ostranauts salvage run.

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Find out which direction Ganymede rotates in Ostranauts, how tidal locking affects its motion, and how to read orbital direction correctly.

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Ostranauts motor: Ship Propulsion Setup Guide for Combat

Prepare your Ostranauts ship motor and propulsion systems for long-range travel, navigation, sensors, weapons, and combat in the Ceres system.

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Learn where to sell salvage, buy supplies, and avoid fines in Ostranauts when your scavenging license expires.

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ostranauts order to mass pick up: Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to organize a safe mass pickup run in Ostranauts using crew orders, staging, docking control, and careful ship movement.

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ostranauts mooring control: Docking Setup Guide

Learn how Ostranauts mooring control works, how to match velocity, align docking ports, avoid collisions, and safely board derelict ships.

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ostranauts pda guide: Step-by-Step Atmosphere Setup

Learn how to use PDA cartridges, inspect ship pressure, manage gases, and stabilize atmosphere systems in Ostranauts.

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ostranauts how to buy a transponder for a stolen ship: Tips

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Getting Started

Ostranauts Beginner Guide

Follow a practical early-game route from character creation to your first profitable salvage operation. Learn what to buy, what to avoid and how to keep a new run alive.

Ostranauts gives you limited money, an imperfect spacecraft and a character shaped by their previous life. Early survival depends on controlling expenses, carrying the correct tools, choosing manageable jobs and avoiding damage that costs more to repair than the salvage is worth.

1

Create a Practical Starting Character

Complete the life-path character creator and prioritize a balanced combination of technical, social and physical abilities.

Choose life events that provide useful repair, construction, piloting or social skills.
Check starting traits, relationships, injuries and financial obligations before confirming the character.
Avoid stacking severe physical or psychological disadvantages unless you already understand their effects.

A highly specialized character can struggle when a job requires a skill, tool or conversation option outside that specialty.

2

Inspect Your Starting Situation

Review your money, equipment, contacts, debts and available transportation after arriving at KLEG.

Open the character and inventory screens to identify existing tools, clothing and medical problems.
Check current expenses and avoid spending your entire balance before earning income.
Locate the commercial, employment and ship-related services available on the station.

Keeping a cash reserve is important because docking fees, fuel, oxygen, food and emergency repairs can quickly consume early earnings.

3

Buy Only Essential Tools

Purchase a small working tool kit instead of buying every available item.

Carry tools needed to open access panels and remove basic ship components.
Add a powered construction or cutting tool when your budget and planned salvage justify it.
Bring an EVA-capable suit, helmet and oxygen supply when entering an unpressurized vessel.
Keep enough inventory space for valuable components and loose items.

A tool is only useful when it matches the installation or removal requirement shown for the selected component.

4

Secure Legal Work and Salvage Access

Use station services to review available work and obtain the authorization needed for legal salvage.

Compare jobs by distance, required skills, risk and expected payment.
Obtain a salvage license before dismantling vessels that require licensed recovery.
Read job conditions carefully so you understand the destination, deadline and completion requirement.

Unauthorized salvage, contract failure or damage to property can create legal and financial problems.

5

Prepare Your Ship Before Departure

Confirm that the vessel can generate power, maneuver, navigate and support its occupants.

Check battery charge and verify that navigation, control and propulsion equipment receives power.
Confirm that maneuvering thrusters respond before leaving a safe position.
Inspect pressure, oxygen and temperature if you plan to remain aboard for an extended period.
Store loose equipment so it remains easy to find during an emergency.

Leaving with an empty battery, damaged thruster or inaccessible navigation console can strand the ship.

6

Approach the First Derelict Slowly

Select a nearby abandoned vessel and reduce relative velocity long before reaching docking range.

Use the navigation console to select the target and monitor distance and relative motion.
Accelerate in short controlled burns instead of holding thrust continuously.
Begin braking early and approach at a low closing speed.
Align the docking ports and match the target's movement before attempting contact.

A fast approach can damage both vessels, destroy valuable salvage or end the run immediately.

7

Make the Derelict Safe to Enter

Treat every abandoned ship as unpressurized, unpowered and structurally unsafe until inspected.

Wear suitable pressure protection before opening an unknown airlock.
Check for atmosphere, temperature, electrical hazards and damaged compartments.
Restore limited power only when it helps you operate doors, lights or useful systems.
Keep a clear route back to your own ship.

Opening a pressurized compartment into vacuum can rapidly vent the room and endanger nearby crew.

8

Salvage for Profit, Not Volume

Remove valuable, reusable components before collecting low-value materials.

Prioritize compact electronics, ship controls, batteries, propulsion equipment and other high-value systems.
Compare the resale value of a component with the time, power and tools needed to remove it.
Install useful parts on your own vessel when they solve an immediate weakness.
Return to KLEG before food, oxygen, battery charge or crew condition becomes critical.

Overloading the ship with low-value parts wastes time and can make movement, storage and repairs harder to manage.

Ship Construction

Ostranauts Ship Building and Repair Guide

Learn the correct order for salvaging components, repairing damaged systems and turning a basic vessel into a functional long-term home.

Ship construction in Ostranauts is based on physical components rather than a simplified upgrade menu. Floors, walls, conduits, batteries, controls, life-support equipment and thrusters must be placed, connected and supplied with the resources they need to operate.

1

Inspect the Existing Hull

Pause construction and examine the ship before removing or installing anything.

Identify damaged floors, walls, doors and exposed compartments.
Locate batteries, power conduits, navigation controls, thrusters and life-support equipment.
Check which systems are functional, damaged, disconnected or missing.
Choose one repair objective instead of dismantling several systems at once.

Removing a working power or control component without a replacement can disable multiple connected systems.

2

Collect Compatible Salvage

Recover components from derelicts that solve a specific problem on your own ship.

Select a component to view the tool and skill required to uninstall it.
Finish removal before moving the component to storage or your own vessel.
Prioritize parts that are difficult or expensive to purchase.
Keep construction materials and spare parts near the intended work area.

Damaged components may require repair after installation and can consume power without functioning correctly.

3

Repair Floors and Seal the Hull

Create a continuous enclosed structure before attempting to pressurize a new compartment.

Repair or replace missing floor tiles where equipment or crew must stand.
Construct walls around the intended room boundary.
Install doors or airlocks where controlled access is required.
Inspect corners and connections for gaps that could vent atmosphere.

A room cannot hold pressure when even one boundary tile is open to space.

4

Install Power Conduits First

Build the ship's power path before placing equipment that depends on electricity.

Extend conduits through floors or walls toward the new compartment.
Connect the extension to a charged battery or another valid power source.
Keep critical systems on a clear and traceable power route.
Test power availability before installing several devices.

A correctly placed component will remain inactive when no connected conduit supplies power.

5

Add Batteries and Charging Capacity

Increase stored energy when the ship cannot support navigation, life support and tools at the same time.

Install additional batteries on connected tiles.
Check battery condition and available charge before relying on salvaged units.
Avoid placing every battery in a vulnerable or inaccessible compartment.
Monitor consumption while high-draw systems and powered tools are operating.

More batteries increase storage but do not automatically provide a method of recharging them.

6

Install Controls and Navigation Equipment

Place operational consoles where crew can reach them and where their required connections are available.

Provide floor access and power to each console.
Install navigation and ship-control equipment before attempting a flight test.
Keep the control area clear of loose cargo and construction materials.
Verify that the console recognizes the ship and responds to commands.

A powered console cannot control propulsion equipment that is missing, damaged or disconnected.

7

Place Thrusters for Controlled Movement

Use multiple maneuvering thrusters so the ship can translate, rotate and brake predictably.

Install thrusters on suitable exterior positions.
Distribute maneuvering capability around the hull instead of relying on one direction.
Connect each thruster to the required power and control network.
Test low-power movement in open space after every major layout change.

An unbalanced thruster layout can cause unwanted rotation and make docking difficult.

8

Restore Habitability

Add the systems needed for crew to work, sleep and recover aboard the ship.

Provide a sealed pressurized area before removing EVA equipment.
Install equipment for atmosphere, temperature and other survival needs.
Add beds or sleeping spaces where crew can recover without blocking work routes.
Reserve storage areas for food, tools, medical supplies and salvage.

A flyable ship is not automatically a safe living space.

9

Repair and Test One System at a Time

Complete construction in small stages and verify each stage before expanding further.

Use the required tool and repair action on damaged components.
Confirm power flow, pressure integrity and control response after each change.
Perform a short maneuvering test before beginning another large construction project.
Keep spare tools and replacement parts available for failures.

Large untested rebuilds make it difficult to identify which component or connection caused a failure.

Crew Management

Ostranauts Crew and Mental Health Guide

Keep crew members productive by balancing work with sleep, food, safety, social contact and emotional recovery.

Every crew member in Ostranauts is an individual with skills, relationships, physical needs and changing emotional states. Ignoring panic, depression, exhaustion or interpersonal conflict can reduce productivity and create dangerous behavior during travel or salvage operations.

Recruitment and Compatibility

Hire crew members for both their practical skills and their ability to function with the existing team.

Review technical, construction, medical, piloting and social capabilities before recruitment.
Check personal traits and existing relationships instead of selecting only the most skilled candidate.
Do not expand the crew faster than the ship can provide food, oxygen, sleeping space and income.

Best practice: A smaller stable crew is usually easier to support than a large group with overlapping needs and high payroll.

Task Assignment

Match jobs to the crew member most capable of completing them safely and efficiently.

Assign repairs and construction to characters with relevant technical skills.
Reserve critical navigation or docking work for crew who can reach the controls without interruption.
Avoid sending exhausted, injured or panicked crew into dangerous compartments.

Best practice: Maintain at least one available crew member who can respond to power, pressure or medical emergencies.

Sleep and Fatigue

Fatigue builds when crew members work too long or lack a suitable place to rest.

Provide accessible beds or sleeping areas aboard the ship.
Schedule rest before long salvage sessions or difficult docking maneuvers.
Reduce nonessential work when a crew member becomes severely tired.

Best practice: Stagger sleep periods so the entire crew is not unavailable at the same time.

Food and Physical Needs

Crew performance falls when basic physical needs remain unresolved.

Keep a reserve of food and other consumable supplies before leaving KLEG.
Place frequently used supplies in accessible storage.
Watch for injuries, discomfort and environmental conditions that prevent recovery.

Best practice: Restock before a long trip instead of depending on supplies found aboard derelicts.

Depression

Depression can develop when a character experiences prolonged stress, isolation, unmet needs or negative events.

Reduce unnecessary workload and allow time for sleep and recovery.
Encourage positive social contact with compatible crew members.
Resolve hunger, pain, fear and unsafe living conditions that continue lowering mood.

Best practice: Treat depression as an ongoing management problem rather than expecting one conversation to remove it.

Optimism

Optimism helps a crew member remain resilient when working under difficult conditions.

Maintain safe rooms, reliable supplies and achievable work goals.
Use positive conversations and successful shared activities to support morale.
Avoid repeated failures, isolation and constant emergency schedules.

Best practice: Stable routines make positive moods easier to preserve than repeated cycles of crisis and recovery.

Panic

Panic is an immediate danger during decompression, collision, injury or other severe threats.

Move the affected character away from the hazard when possible.
Restore pressure, temperature, power or safety before ordering complex work.
Allow time for the character to calm down instead of adding more urgent tasks.

Best practice: Prevent panic by keeping EVA equipment nearby and maintaining a clear emergency route.

Conversations and Relationships

Social interactions can improve or damage relationships depending on personality, mood and topic.

Use conversations during safe periods rather than interrupting urgent work.
Pay attention to how each participant reacts instead of repeating the same interaction.
Separate crew members whose relationship repeatedly creates conflict.

Best practice: Build relationships gradually through regular positive contact instead of forcing long interaction sessions.

Crew Scheduling

A reliable schedule prevents every need from becoming urgent at the same time.

Alternate work, travel, meals, social activity and sleep.
Finish high-risk salvage before the crew reaches severe fatigue.
Leave spare time for unexpected repairs, injuries and docking delays.

Best practice: Return to a stable location before several crew members simultaneously need food, sleep and emotional recovery.

Flight Operations

Ostranauts Navigation and Docking Guide

Understand relative velocity, controlled burns, braking, port alignment and the final docking approach.

Spacecraft in Ostranauts continue moving after thrust stops. Safe navigation therefore depends on reading the target's relative position and velocity, accelerating in short bursts, braking early and matching motion before the docking ports touch.

1

Power the Flight Systems

Confirm that the navigation console, ship controls and maneuvering thrusters are operational.

Check battery charge and power connections.
Repair damaged navigation or propulsion equipment before departure.
Test translation and rotation controls with a brief low-power input.

Do not begin a trip when you cannot reliably accelerate, rotate and brake.

2

Identify the Correct Target

Use the navigation interface to select the station, vessel or derelict you intend to approach.

Confirm the target name and transponder information.
Check range before committing to the trip.
Make sure the selected contact is not another nearby object with a similar position.

Targeting the wrong contact wastes fuel and can place the ship on a collision course.

3

Read Relative Position and Velocity

Treat the target as a moving object rather than a fixed destination.

Use range to estimate how far remains before contact.
Watch relative velocity to determine whether the distance is closing or increasing.
Observe the movement vector instead of relying only on the ship's visual orientation.

Pointing toward a target does not mean the ship is moving toward it.

4

Accelerate in Controlled Burns

Build speed gradually while maintaining enough distance to stop.

Apply short thrust inputs and recheck the navigation display after each burn.
Keep the movement vector aimed toward the intended intercept point.
Avoid reaching a closing speed that exceeds the ship's available braking ability.

Continuous acceleration during the first half of a short trip can leave too little distance for braking.

5

Begin Braking Early

Reverse the relative motion before entering the final approach area.

Rotate or use the appropriate opposite-direction thrusters.
Apply short braking burns while watching relative velocity decrease.
Continue reducing closing speed as range becomes smaller.

Waiting until the target looks close is usually too late when relative velocity is high.

6

Match the Target's Motion

Reduce relative velocity until both vessels are moving together.

Correct sideways drift as well as forward closing speed.
Use small translation inputs rather than large main burns.
Pause between corrections so the navigation display can show the new vector.

A low forward speed can still cause a collision when the ship has strong lateral movement.

7

Align the Docking Ports

Position your docking port directly opposite the target port and match orientation.

Rotate the ship slowly until the ports face each other.
Use lateral thrusters to center the approach.
Keep clearance between the hulls while correcting alignment.

Approaching at an angle can strike the hull even when the selected docking ports are close.

8

Complete the Final Approach

Close the last distance at minimal relative speed.

Use brief taps of thrust instead of sustained acceleration.
Keep both alignment and relative velocity under control.
Stop and correct any unexpected rotation or sideways drift before continuing.

Never use a high-speed final push to force the ports together.

9

Verify the Connection

Confirm that the vessels are securely docked before opening either side.

Check that the docking connection is recognized.
Inspect the airlock and pressure conditions on both sides.
Equip EVA protection when the target vessel's atmosphere is unknown.
Open doors in a controlled order and watch for decompression.

A successful physical connection does not guarantee that the adjoining compartment is pressurized or safe.

10

Undock and Depart Safely

Create separation before beginning a new burn.

Close and secure airlock doors.
Release the docking connection.
Use gentle translation to move clear of the target hull.
Begin the next navigation maneuver only after sufficient separation.

Rotating or accelerating immediately after undocking can scrape the connected hulls.

Character Builds

Ostranauts Skills and Traits Tier List

Compare practical character choices for salvage work, engineering, hacking, combat and crew management. The rankings prioritize skills that save money, prevent ship failures and remain useful throughout a long run.

A strong starting character should be able to dismantle valuable equipment, repair essential systems and survive EVA work without constantly hiring specialists. Mechanical, electrical and software-focused careers provide the safest foundation, while combat and social abilities become more valuable after the ship and economy are stable.

S

Best Starting Choices

These skills directly support ship survival, profitable salvage and expensive repairs from the beginning of a run.

Mechanical Engineering

Engineering Skill

Early: ExcellentLong-term: Excellent

Best for: Removing, installing and repairing structural parts, machinery and salvageable ship equipment.

Reduces dependence on paid repairs
Supports nearly every ship expansion project
Makes damaged derelicts more profitable

Mechanical work can be slow without proper tools
Does not replace electrical or software knowledge

Electrical Engineering

Engineering Skill

Early: ExcellentLong-term: Excellent

Best for: Working with batteries, chargers, electrical conduits, powered doors and life-support equipment.

Prevents power failures from ending a run
Essential when rebuilding damaged ships
Useful on almost every derelict

Requires electrical tools and replacement parts
Power problems may also involve software or mechanical damage

Software and Hacking

Technical Skill

Early: Very GoodLong-term: Excellent

Best for: Accessing locked systems, diagnosing computer-controlled equipment and restoring electronic ship functions.

Provides access to systems that cannot be solved with physical repairs alone
Supports navigation, security and automation equipment
Becomes more valuable on advanced ships

Less useful when a component is physically destroyed
Often requires powered terminals and compatible tools

EVA Operations

Survival Skill

Early: ExcellentLong-term: Excellent

Best for: Working outside pressurized areas, boarding damaged vessels and moving safely through vacuum.

Allows immediate access to more salvage locations
Reduces the danger of decompressed wrecks
Supports hull repair and external construction

Still requires a functional pressure suit and oxygen supply
Long EVA trips consume valuable air and time

A

Strong Supporting Choices

These abilities improve safety, flexibility and crew performance but work best beside a technical foundation.

Piloting and Navigation

Ship Operations

Early: GoodLong-term: Excellent

Best for: Docking, approaching derelicts, planning routes and operating larger ships safely.

Reduces navigation mistakes
Supports longer salvage routes
Important when managing a heavier or less maneuverable ship

Provides limited income while the ship is docked
Cannot compensate for damaged thrusters or insufficient fuel

Social and Negotiation

Crew Management

Early: GoodLong-term: Very Good

Best for: Managing relationships, reducing conflict and handling conversations with workers, crew and station personnel.

Helps stabilize crew morale
Supports recruitment and conflict resolution
Useful when operating with several crew members

Limited value for a solo technical start
Does not directly repair or power the ship

Medical Support

Survival Skill

Early: GoodLong-term: Very Good

Best for: Treating injuries, stabilizing crew and reducing downtime after accidents or combat.

Prevents minor injuries from becoming serious
Useful during dangerous salvage operations
More valuable as crew size increases

Medical supplies cost money
Does not prevent decompression, fire or equipment failures

Combat Training

Security Skill

Early: SituationalLong-term: Very Good

Best for: Handling hostile encounters, protecting crew and boarding dangerous vessels.

Improves survival during violent encounters
Supports security-focused contracts
Useful when carrying valuable cargo

Weapons and medical recovery increase operating costs
Most early salvage income comes from technical work rather than fighting

B

Useful but Secondary

These choices improve efficiency or survivability but should not replace the core engineering skills on a first character.

Physical Conditioning

General Trait Focus

Early: GoodLong-term: Good

Best for: Carrying equipment, moving through wrecks and completing labor-intensive work.

Supports hauling and long work sessions
Improves general flexibility
Pairs well with salvage careers

Does not unlock technical repair actions
Benefits are less noticeable than specialized engineering skills

Positive Mood Traits

Personality Trait Focus

Early: GoodLong-term: Very Good

Best for: Maintaining morale during isolation, debt pressure and uncomfortable ship conditions.

Reduces the impact of stressful living conditions
Supports long voyages and crew stability
Useful on cramped starter ships

Cannot solve missing food, oxygen or power
Mood benefits are weaker than direct technical abilities early on

Hard-Working Traits

Work Trait Focus

Early: Very GoodLong-term: Good

Best for: Completing repair, construction and salvage tasks with fewer interruptions.

Improves practical work output
Useful for both solo and crew-controlled characters
Combines well with engineering careers

Heavy schedules can still create fatigue and poor morale
Requires adequate food, sleep and comfort

C

Risky First-Run Choices

These disadvantages can create additional pressure before the player has enough money, space or crew support to manage them.

Panic-Prone Traits

Negative Personality Traits

Early: PoorLong-term: Situational

Best for: Challenge-focused or role-playing characters.

Can create distinctive character behavior
May be manageable on a comfortable, well-crewed ship

Dangerous during decompression, fire or combat
Can interrupt critical repair work

Claustrophobia and Environment Sensitivities

Negative Comfort Traits

Early: PoorLong-term: Situational

Best for: Players prepared to build larger, more comfortable living areas.

Encourages specialized ship design
Adds role-playing variety

Starter ships are often cramped and uncomfortable
Mood penalties can become constant during long salvage trips

High-Consumption Traits

Negative Survival Traits

Early: PoorLong-term: Poor

Best for: Runs with strong food, oxygen and supply income.

May be paired with other useful character benefits

Raises recurring operating costs
Makes supply shortages more dangerous
Reduces the time available between station visits

Ship Survival Systems

Ostranauts Fuel, Oxygen and Power Guide

Learn how ship resources move between storage, machinery and living spaces. Use the troubleshooting table to diagnose pressure loss, carbon dioxide buildup, dead batteries and propulsion failures.

A working ship depends on several connected systems rather than one life-support device. Rooms must remain sealed, gases must be stored and moved correctly, carbon dioxide must be removed, temperature must stay survivable and electrical equipment must remain connected to charged batteries.

Oxygen Storage

Oxygen tank or gas cylinder

Purpose: Stores breathable oxygen for the ship atmosphere and EVA equipment.

Connection: Must be connected to the intended gas network or manually used to refill compatible equipment.

Failure symptoms

Low oxygen level
Crew suffocation warnings
Pressure rises without creating a breathable atmosphere

Common causes

•Empty tank
•Disconnected component
•Closed or inactive gas-transfer equipment
•Oxygen escaping through an unsealed room

Fix: Confirm the tank contains oxygen, repair its connections, activate the required pump and seal open hull sections or doors before adding more gas.

Gas Movement

Pump

Purpose: Moves gas between tanks, rooms and connected atmosphere systems.

Connection: Requires electrical power and a valid path between the source and destination.

Failure symptoms

Gas remains in the storage tank
Room pressure does not change
Life-support equipment appears active but has no effect

Common causes

•Pump switched off
•No electrical power
•Incorrect flow direction
•Broken or incomplete connection

Fix: Check power first, verify the pump direction, inspect every connection and confirm that the destination has available capacity.

Carbon Dioxide Control

CO2 scrubber

Purpose: Removes carbon dioxide produced by breathing crew members.

Connection: Must be powered and exposed to the atmosphere it is cleaning.

Failure symptoms

Rising carbon dioxide concentration
Crew discomfort or breathing problems
Air remains pressurized but becomes unsafe

Common causes

•Scrubber unpowered
•Scrubber damaged
•Air cannot circulate into the device
•Scrubbing capacity unavailable

Fix: Restore power, repair the scrubber and confirm that the device is installed in or connected to the occupied atmosphere.

Room Pressure

Hull, walls, floors and doors

Purpose: Keeps gases inside living and working compartments.

Connection: Every boundary tile must be intact, and open doors or breaches must not lead directly to vacuum.

Failure symptoms

Pressure falls continuously
Oxygen disappears immediately after release
Loose objects or crew are exposed to decompression

Common causes

•Missing wall or floor
•Damaged hull tile
•Open exterior door
•Unfinished construction around an installed component

Fix: Stop adding oxygen, locate the breach, close exterior doors and complete or repair every missing structural tile before repressurizing.

Temperature Control

Heater, cooler and thermal equipment

Purpose: Keeps occupied rooms within a survivable temperature range.

Connection: Requires electrical power and must affect the correct compartment.

Failure symptoms

Room remains extremely cold or hot
Crew comfort declines
Life-support equipment consumes power without stabilizing temperature

Common causes

•Insufficient power
•Device installed in the wrong compartment
•Large unsealed area
•Too little thermal capacity for the room size

Fix: Seal the room, restore electrical power and use enough heating or cooling equipment for the compartment volume.

Electrical Storage

Battery

Purpose: Stores energy and supplies ship equipment when connected to the electrical network.

Connection: Must be installed, charged and linked through intact electrical conduits.

Failure symptoms

Lights and consoles shut down
Pumps stop moving gas
Powered doors or life support become inactive

Common causes

•Battery depleted
•Battery damaged
•Missing conduit
•Equipment connected to a separate network

Fix: Inspect the battery condition and charge level, repair conduit gaps and confirm that both the battery and the affected device share the same network.

Electrical Distribution

Electrical conduit

Purpose: Carries power between batteries, chargers, consoles, pumps, doors and other equipment.

Connection: Conduit sections must form an uninterrupted path through the ship.

Failure symptoms

One section of the ship has power while another does not
Newly installed equipment remains inactive
Battery charge is available but cannot reach a device

Common causes

•Missing conduit tile
•Damaged section
•Construction placed over an incomplete network
•Device installed outside the powered path

Fix: Trace the network from the battery to the device, repair damaged sections and install every missing conduit segment.

Battery Charging

Charger or power-generation equipment

Purpose: Restores battery charge and supports continuous electrical use.

Connection: Requires a valid energy source and a connection to the target battery network.

Failure symptoms

Battery charge falls while docked or operating
Charger appears idle
Ship loses power after a short trip

Common causes

•Charger disconnected
•Energy source unavailable
•Battery not connected to the same network
•Power demand exceeds charging output

Fix: Confirm the charger has an energy source, connect it to the battery network and reduce unnecessary electrical loads while charging.

Propellant Storage

Fuel or propellant tank

Purpose: Stores reaction mass used by maneuvering and propulsion systems.

Connection: Must feed the installed thrusters through the correct ship network.

Failure symptoms

Thrusters do not respond
Ship cannot translate or rotate
Navigation controls work but produce no movement

Common causes

•Tank empty
•Thruster damaged
•Fuel connection incomplete
•Thruster unpowered or disabled

Fix: Check tank contents, repair the thruster, inspect the fuel connection and confirm that the propulsion controls have electrical power.

Ship Movement

Main thrusters and maneuvering thrusters

Purpose: Moves, turns and stabilizes the ship during travel, docking and salvage approaches.

Connection: Requires propellant, electrical control and a functional navigation system.

Failure symptoms

Uneven turning
Drifting during docking
Movement available in only one direction
Ship rotates when attempting to translate

Common causes

•Missing thruster coverage
•Asymmetric placement
•Damaged unit
•Fuel or power interruption

Fix: Inspect each movement direction, repair damaged units and balance thruster placement so the ship can translate and rotate predictably.

Economy and Salvage

Ostranauts Jobs, Money and Salvage Guide

Compare station work, legal salvage and component sales while controlling debt, docking expenses and repair costs. Each method shows what to keep, what to sell and where new players commonly lose money.

Early profit is determined by operating cost rather than the total sale value of a wreck. The safest route is to complete low-risk work, obtain the required salvage permissions, target compact high-value components and avoid spending money on upgrades that do not immediately improve survival or income.

Station Jobs and Contracts

Low-Risk Income

Small to moderate payments with limited ship risk.

Requirements

Read the job description carefully
Bring the required tools or access equipment
Confirm the destination and delivery conditions before accepting

Best targets

•Short repair work
•Local transport or delivery tasks
•Jobs that can be completed without undocking the ship

Major costs

•Time
•Tool wear
•Replacement materials
•Possible penalties for failed work

Risks

Accepting a job without the required skill
Travel costs exceeding the reward
Missing contract conditions

Recommendation: Use station work to build a cash buffer before purchasing expensive ship parts or attempting long salvage trips.

Licensed Derelict Salvage

Primary Progression Income

High potential value from reusable ship components and raw materials.

Requirements

Obtain the required salvage authorization
Carry mechanical, electrical and EVA tools
Bring enough oxygen, power and propellant to return safely

Best targets

•Batteries
•Pumps and life-support equipment
•Thrusters
•Navigation and control equipment
•Intact tanks
•Useful structural materials

Major costs

•Salvage license
•Docking and station fees
•Fuel or propellant
•Oxygen
•Repair supplies

Risks

Entering an unsafe or decompressed wreck
Taking legally protected property
Spending more time and supplies than the recovered parts are worth

Recommendation: Start with components that are compact, intact and immediately useful rather than dismantling an entire wreck.

Component Resale

Fast Cash

Reliable when recovered equipment is intact and in demand.

Requirements

Remove parts without destroying them
Transport components back to a legal buyer
Compare sale value with installation value

Best targets

•Surplus batteries
•Extra pumps
•Duplicate consoles
•Spare thrusters
•Unneeded tanks and machinery

Major costs

•Transport capacity
•Removal time
•Possible repair work before sale

Risks

Selling a component needed for the return trip
Keeping bulky low-value materials
Damaging equipment during removal

Recommendation: Sell duplicate systems first and keep one working replacement for essential life-support and propulsion equipment.

Installing Salvaged Parts

Long-Term Savings

Produces indirect profit by reducing future purchases and repair bills.

Requirements

Compatible ship space
Correct tools and skills
Complete electrical, gas or structural connections

Best targets

•Larger batteries
•Additional oxygen storage
•Reliable pumps
•Balanced thrusters
•Working navigation equipment

Major costs

•Installation time
•Construction materials
•Extra mass and power demand

Risks

Expanding before the ship can support the added systems
Creating disconnected electrical networks
Installing damaged equipment

Recommendation: Install parts that remove an immediate bottleneck, such as insufficient power, oxygen storage or maneuvering control.

Material and Structure Recovery

Bulk Salvage

Low value per piece but useful for ship expansion and repeated construction.

Requirements

Cutting and construction tools
Cargo space
Time to remove floors, walls and conduits

Best targets

•Floor sections
•Wall materials
•Electrical conduits
•Reusable doors
•Basic construction supplies

Major costs

•Labor time
•Cargo volume
•Tool use

Risks

Carrying heavy low-value material instead of valuable machinery
Opening a pressurized compartment accidentally
Weakening a wreck before removing important equipment

Recommendation: Recover bulk materials after valuable systems are secured or when a planned ship expansion would otherwise require purchasing them.

Emergency Cash Route

Debt Control

Focused on immediate liquidity rather than maximum salvage value.

Requirements

Remain close to KLEG or another safe station
Limit travel and docking time
Sell only nonessential equipment

Best targets

•Quick local jobs
•Small legal salvage runs
•Duplicate components already stored on the ship

Major costs

•Docking fees
•Debt payments
•Food and oxygen
•Critical repairs

Risks

Buying upgrades while behind on operating costs
Taking a distant contract with insufficient fuel
Selling the only functional life-support component

Recommendation: Prioritize debt, docking access, oxygen, power and propulsion before comfort upgrades or large construction projects.

Legal and Ownership Risks

Salvage Compliance

Avoids fines, confiscation and losses that can erase profitable runs.

Requirements

Verify whether the vessel or component can be legally salvaged
Maintain required licenses
Avoid damaging occupied or protected ships

Best targets

•Clearly abandoned derelicts
•Authorized contract targets
•Components covered by the current salvage permission

Major costs

•License fees
•Possible fines
•Lost time during inspections or disputes

Risks

Trespassing
Theft
Unauthorized dismantling
Violence against crew or station personnel

Recommendation: Treat ownership and access rules as part of the salvage cost instead of assuming every unattended ship is free property.

Common Money-Losing Mistakes

Beginner Warning

Prevention category for avoiding negative-profit runs.

Requirements

Track every recurring cost
Estimate the return-trip resource requirement
Keep emergency reserves

Best targets

•Short routes
•Known repair needs
•Parts with immediate resale or installation value

Major costs

•Unnecessary docking time
•Oversized construction projects
•Repeated tool and suit replacement

Risks

Running out of oxygen or propellant
Returning with cargo that cannot cover expenses
Taking on crew before the ship can support them

Recommendation: End a salvage trip while the ship still has a safe reserve instead of staying until every cargo space is full.

Game Updates

Ostranauts Updates and Patch Notes

Follow changes to ship construction, crew behavior, survival systems, navigation and the economy. The summaries focus on updates that can invalidate older builds, repair methods or beginner routes.

Ostranauts continues to evolve across interconnected simulation systems. Returning players should review changes to component installation, atmosphere behavior, crew needs, ship handling and station rules before relying on an older save strategy or guide.