Varied Satellites
is a mod which allows you to launch many different extra terrestrial vehicles, performing multiple actions.The mod is fully compatible with Space Exploration.
Available Satellites:
Science Satellites: Used in the production of Space and Exploration Science Packs.Mining Satellites: Provides all base-game ores, as well as oil barrels. This does not include SA ores, you must get them by building a
Mobile Base Satellite: Provides various intermediates, like gear wheels, electronic circuits and plastic.
Surveillance Satellite: Used to discover new planets with SA installed. Also enables remote view.
Orbital Strike Satellites: Destroys Enemy Bases (such as Biter Bases) from space. Designed for PVP, but completely compatible with normal enemies.
Mods can also add their own satellites doing various things.
To balance the addition of these new satellites, you now need 3 different science packs to progress through the main game, (there is also a 4th new science pack required for some infinite research) Which require their own unique process involving Data Cards and Computation Machines of various tiers.
Science Progression Comparison:
Comparisons
Normal Factorio:
Automation -> Logistics -> Chemical -> Utility and Production -> Space
Space Age:
Automation -> Logistics -> Chemical -> Space, Utility and Production -> Metallurgic, Electromagnetic and Agricultural -> Cryogenic -> Promethium
This Mod (Without SA):
Automation -> Logistics -> Electronics -> Chemical -> Computation -> Utility and Production -> Digital -> Space -> Exploration
This Mod (With SA):
Automation -> Logistics -> Electronics -> Chemical -> Computation -> Space, Utility and Production -> Digital -> Metallurgic, Electromagnetic and Agricultural -> Cryogenic -> Promethium and Exploration
Images showing this comparison may be added at a later date.
Automation -> Logistics -> Chemical -> Utility and Production -> Space
Space Age:
Automation -> Logistics -> Chemical -> Space, Utility and Production -> Metallurgic, Electromagnetic and Agricultural -> Cryogenic -> Promethium
This Mod (Without SA):
Automation -> Logistics -> Electronics -> Chemical -> Computation -> Utility and Production -> Digital -> Space -> Exploration
This Mod (With SA):
Automation -> Logistics -> Electronics -> Chemical -> Computation -> Space, Utility and Production -> Digital -> Metallurgic, Electromagnetic and Agricultural -> Cryogenic -> Promethium and Exploration
Images showing this comparison may be added at a later date.
Full Explanation of Data Card Processing:
Data card
Here are the steps for producing Data Cards. They are required by various science packs through the tech tree.
- Empty Data Cards. Data Cards must be made in an assembling machine.
- Formatted Data Cards. Data Cards have to be formatted for their usage. This is done in a formatter.
- Base Data Cards. Once formatted, Data Cards must start with some base data. This is done in various different buildings depending on the type, including the radar date uplink, an assembler, the observatory, the digital networking centre and the mission control building.
- Semi-Processed Data Cards. Once the base data has been written, Data Cards have to be processed through multiple steps in a computation machine. These forms of data can be used to make blueprints, which can improve the efficiency of your production lines.
- Complete Data Cards. Very similar to the Semi-Processed Data Cards in production, not so much in usage. Once data cards are fully processed, they can be used to make science packs and other data-related items.
Satellite Construction Process:
Satellites
Satellites now require a special production building, the Satellite Construction Facility. In the Satellite Construction Facility you will need Satellite Construction Blueprints, made in the Blueprint Lab. Here are the other requirements for different properties of your satellites:
- Satellites with longer range will require better communication systems, fuel tanks and thrusters.
- Science Collection Satellites will require various experiments and instruments, as well as above average communication systems.
- Mining Satellites will require extendible drill heads, ore collection and storage.
- Remote Base Satellites will require item storage, construction robots, various machines, and a method of transport back to your base.
- Surveillance Satellites will require an above average camera and sensor system, as well as above average navigational systems.
- Orbital Strike Satellites will require an above average sensor system, a large supply of ammo as well as defence lasers and other weapons.
More To Come!
This mod is currently under active development, even if full release has happened yet. Expect more features and improvements in the future.Original post
Old archived post made for 1.1.x
This post describes my idea for a mod which I have started working on.
The post has been made to collect public reception for the mod, so that I get an actually good number of downloads on the mod when it releases. Please comment on this post if you like the mod, it helps a lot! Also download the mod if it has released yet!
Varied Satellites is the idea for a mod which adds various satellites, specialized in various tasks. The mod would by full release be compatible with Space Exploration and later I might add SE+K2 Compatibility. Features (will be fully configurable by full release):
1. 4 New Science Packs (can be disabled)
2. Large changes to Space Science Production (Rocket science while using SE)
3. Rocket Production majorly changed (Can be configured)
4. Multiple new satellites and rebrand of the base satellite
5. More Rocket Silos (May be changed in the future)
6. Data Cards, Observatories and Computers!
Standard Science Progressions:
Normal Factorio:
Automation -> Logistics -> Chemical -> Utility and Production -> Space
Space Exploration:
Automation -> Logistics -> Chemical -> Rocket -> Space -> Utility and Production -> Astronomic, Energy, Material and Biological (T1-T4) -> Deep Space (T1-T4)
This Mod (Without SE):
Automation -> Logistics -> Electronics -> Chemical -> Computation -> Utility and Production -> Digital -> Space -> Exploration
This Mod (With SE):
Automation -> Logistics -> Electronics -> Chemical -> Computation -> Rocket -> Digital -> Space -> Exploration -> Utility and Production -> Astronomic, Energy, Material and Biological (T1-T4) -> Deep Space (T1-T4)
This mod modifies the whole Science Progression without SE, but changes mostly the early to mid game Science Progression with SE. Both of these facts are shown above. I will have a proper picture for this when the mod is released.
Electronics Science Pack:
Used to unlock Advanced Circuits, Basic Computation Machines and Chemical Science Packs
Computation Science Pack:
Without SE:
Used to unlock Utility and Production Science Packs, as well as Standard Computation Machines.
With SE:
Used to unlock the Rocket Silo as well as Rocket Science Packs and Standard Computation Machines.
Digital Science Pack:
Without SE:
Used to unlock Space Science and the Rocket Silo, as well as Advanced Computation Machines.
With SE:
Used to unlock Space Science and Advanced Computation Machines.
Exploration Science Pack:
Without SE:
End Game Science Pack. Unlocks various infinite technologies and the Quantum Computation Machines.
With SE:
Used to unlock Utility and Production Science Packs. Quantum Computation Machines are locked behind T1 Astronomic, T1 Energy and T2 Material Science Packs instead.
Planned Recipe types:
Data Card Data Processing:
When Created, Data Cards are almost completely empty, except for identification. This recipe type creates data and stores it on data cards, Performed in Computation Machines. Some recipes may only produce partly filled Data Cards. Larger Data Cards and more complex Data can only be made in higher level Computation Machines. Required for making Computation, Digital, Rocket (in SE), Utility (Without SE), Production (Without SE), Space and Exploration Science Packs.
Data Card DeFragmentation:
When processed, some Data Cards will be completely fine. But some will be Fragmented due to Computation and Data Read/Write Errors. These Data Cards can be DeFragmented to restore them to a valid state. That can be done with this recipe type, Performed in Standard, Advanced and Quantum Computation Machines.
Data Card Reformatting:
Data Cards must be formatted for the type of data they need to store. That can be done with this recipe type, Performed in Computation Machines. Larger Data Cards and more Advanced Formats must be processed in higher level Computation Machines. Required for Digital, Space and Exploration Science Packs
Satellite Construction:
Satellites require special production machines to be constructed. They also require blueprints for how you wish to configure your satellites. The blueprints are stored on data cards and the data is consumed during the production process done in the Satelite Assembling Facility. Once used, Data Cards must be refurbished through a 2 step process.
Satellite Mission Uplink:
Once Constructed and Launched, Satellites produce a Satelite Uplink according to their type. These are processed into useful data through a really slow process, Performed in a special Mission Control Centre building. This provides Computation Machines with both Space and Exploration Base Data (In SE, Rocketry Base Data instead of Space Base Data) for processing into Space and Exploration Science Packs (In SE, Rocket Science instead of Space Science) It can also provide Satellite Resource Uplinks, depending on the type of satellite.
Space Observation Telescoping:
The Observatory produces Computation Base Data for processing into Computation Science Packs.
Radar Data Uplink:
Radars are now more advanced. The Radar Data Uplink produces Electronics Base Data for processing into Electronics Science Packs. The speed is dependent on the number of active radars. Radars have moved into the Tech Tree now, requiring Logistics Science Packs.
Blueprint Printing:
Some items could be made more efficiently than they currently do. But assemblers don't know how to do that. This recipe type is used to produce blueprints required for making various items using a more efficient recipe, and is Processed in the Blueprint Printer. It is an alternative for until you can make a computing machine and Data Cards.
Satellite Landing Pad Uplink:
Some recipes in the Mission Control Centre will produce a Satellite Resource Uplink, which are processed with the Satellite Landing Pad Uplink into resources collected from space.
DataScience Flask Filling:
To make Computation, Digital, Rocket (with SE), Space (without SE) and Exploration Science Packs, you will need a special machine - A DataScience Flask Filler, which will somehow transfer the data on data cards into standardized Science Packs for use in Standardized Science Labs. The DataScience Flask Filler can also fill Space Science Cylinders when using SE.
Extreme Coolant Cooling:
Quantum Computing Machines require a very large source of coolant, and at extreme temperatures too. That is done in the Extreme Coolant Cooling Tower (can only be placed in space with SE installed) which produces 500°C steam and -273°C Quantum Coolant from Water. (Quantum Coolant is named after the fact it is used to cool Quantum Computing Devices, not based on the Quantum state of the Coolant)
Changed Existing Mekanisms:
Some Items have two recipes now, one requiring a blueprint and one that doesn't.
Satellites now use their own construction building, which requires blueprints stored on data cards.
The Rocket Silo now produces Satellite Uplinks.
There are now 12 Science Packs. (32 with SE)
Many researches have been changed to use the 4 New Science Packs.
Utility and Production Science Packs now require computation work to create. (Without SE only)
Satellite Types and their uses:
Base Satellite: Cannot be launched - Used only to create other satellites.
Short Range Science Satellite: Used to produce Space Science Packs. (Rocket Science Packs in SE) Can also discover new zones with SE installed
Long Range Science Satellite: Used to produce Exploration Science Packs.
Short Range Mining Satellite: Provides Iron, Copper and Coal Ore.
Medium Range Mining Satellite: Provides Iron, Copper and Coal Ore, Water Ice (with SE) and Barreled Oil.
Long Range Mining Satellite: Provides Iron, Copper, Coal, Uranium, Vulcanite (With SE) and Cryonite Ore (With SE), Water Ice (With SE) and Barreled Oil.
Mobile Base Satellite: Provides various early game resources.
Surveillance Satellite: Can discover new zones with SE installed and allow usage of the star map, the universe explorer and the navigational uplink.
Orbital Strike Satellite: Destroys Enemy Bases (such as Biter Bases) from Orbit using explosive missiles.
Nuclear Orbital Strike Satellite: Destroys Enemy Bases (such as Biter Bases) from Orbit using Nukes.
Other mods can also add their own satellites.
That should be it, if you have any suggestions please post a reply.
The post has been made to collect public reception for the mod, so that I get an actually good number of downloads on the mod when it releases. Please comment on this post if you like the mod, it helps a lot! Also download the mod if it has released yet!
Varied Satellites is the idea for a mod which adds various satellites, specialized in various tasks. The mod would by full release be compatible with Space Exploration and later I might add SE+K2 Compatibility. Features (will be fully configurable by full release):
1. 4 New Science Packs (can be disabled)
2. Large changes to Space Science Production (Rocket science while using SE)
3. Rocket Production majorly changed (Can be configured)
4. Multiple new satellites and rebrand of the base satellite
5. More Rocket Silos (May be changed in the future)
6. Data Cards, Observatories and Computers!
Standard Science Progressions:
Normal Factorio:
Automation -> Logistics -> Chemical -> Utility and Production -> Space
Space Exploration:
Automation -> Logistics -> Chemical -> Rocket -> Space -> Utility and Production -> Astronomic, Energy, Material and Biological (T1-T4) -> Deep Space (T1-T4)
This Mod (Without SE):
Automation -> Logistics -> Electronics -> Chemical -> Computation -> Utility and Production -> Digital -> Space -> Exploration
This Mod (With SE):
Automation -> Logistics -> Electronics -> Chemical -> Computation -> Rocket -> Digital -> Space -> Exploration -> Utility and Production -> Astronomic, Energy, Material and Biological (T1-T4) -> Deep Space (T1-T4)
This mod modifies the whole Science Progression without SE, but changes mostly the early to mid game Science Progression with SE. Both of these facts are shown above. I will have a proper picture for this when the mod is released.
Electronics Science Pack:
Used to unlock Advanced Circuits, Basic Computation Machines and Chemical Science Packs
Computation Science Pack:
Without SE:
Used to unlock Utility and Production Science Packs, as well as Standard Computation Machines.
With SE:
Used to unlock the Rocket Silo as well as Rocket Science Packs and Standard Computation Machines.
Digital Science Pack:
Without SE:
Used to unlock Space Science and the Rocket Silo, as well as Advanced Computation Machines.
With SE:
Used to unlock Space Science and Advanced Computation Machines.
Exploration Science Pack:
Without SE:
End Game Science Pack. Unlocks various infinite technologies and the Quantum Computation Machines.
With SE:
Used to unlock Utility and Production Science Packs. Quantum Computation Machines are locked behind T1 Astronomic, T1 Energy and T2 Material Science Packs instead.
Planned Recipe types:
Data Card Data Processing:
When Created, Data Cards are almost completely empty, except for identification. This recipe type creates data and stores it on data cards, Performed in Computation Machines. Some recipes may only produce partly filled Data Cards. Larger Data Cards and more complex Data can only be made in higher level Computation Machines. Required for making Computation, Digital, Rocket (in SE), Utility (Without SE), Production (Without SE), Space and Exploration Science Packs.
Data Card DeFragmentation:
When processed, some Data Cards will be completely fine. But some will be Fragmented due to Computation and Data Read/Write Errors. These Data Cards can be DeFragmented to restore them to a valid state. That can be done with this recipe type, Performed in Standard, Advanced and Quantum Computation Machines.
Data Card Reformatting:
Data Cards must be formatted for the type of data they need to store. That can be done with this recipe type, Performed in Computation Machines. Larger Data Cards and more Advanced Formats must be processed in higher level Computation Machines. Required for Digital, Space and Exploration Science Packs
Satellite Construction:
Satellites require special production machines to be constructed. They also require blueprints for how you wish to configure your satellites. The blueprints are stored on data cards and the data is consumed during the production process done in the Satelite Assembling Facility. Once used, Data Cards must be refurbished through a 2 step process.
Satellite Mission Uplink:
Once Constructed and Launched, Satellites produce a Satelite Uplink according to their type. These are processed into useful data through a really slow process, Performed in a special Mission Control Centre building. This provides Computation Machines with both Space and Exploration Base Data (In SE, Rocketry Base Data instead of Space Base Data) for processing into Space and Exploration Science Packs (In SE, Rocket Science instead of Space Science) It can also provide Satellite Resource Uplinks, depending on the type of satellite.
Space Observation Telescoping:
The Observatory produces Computation Base Data for processing into Computation Science Packs.
Radar Data Uplink:
Radars are now more advanced. The Radar Data Uplink produces Electronics Base Data for processing into Electronics Science Packs. The speed is dependent on the number of active radars. Radars have moved into the Tech Tree now, requiring Logistics Science Packs.
Blueprint Printing:
Some items could be made more efficiently than they currently do. But assemblers don't know how to do that. This recipe type is used to produce blueprints required for making various items using a more efficient recipe, and is Processed in the Blueprint Printer. It is an alternative for until you can make a computing machine and Data Cards.
Satellite Landing Pad Uplink:
Some recipes in the Mission Control Centre will produce a Satellite Resource Uplink, which are processed with the Satellite Landing Pad Uplink into resources collected from space.
DataScience Flask Filling:
To make Computation, Digital, Rocket (with SE), Space (without SE) and Exploration Science Packs, you will need a special machine - A DataScience Flask Filler, which will somehow transfer the data on data cards into standardized Science Packs for use in Standardized Science Labs. The DataScience Flask Filler can also fill Space Science Cylinders when using SE.
Extreme Coolant Cooling:
Quantum Computing Machines require a very large source of coolant, and at extreme temperatures too. That is done in the Extreme Coolant Cooling Tower (can only be placed in space with SE installed) which produces 500°C steam and -273°C Quantum Coolant from Water. (Quantum Coolant is named after the fact it is used to cool Quantum Computing Devices, not based on the Quantum state of the Coolant)
Changed Existing Mekanisms:
Some Items have two recipes now, one requiring a blueprint and one that doesn't.
Satellites now use their own construction building, which requires blueprints stored on data cards.
The Rocket Silo now produces Satellite Uplinks.
There are now 12 Science Packs. (32 with SE)
Many researches have been changed to use the 4 New Science Packs.
Utility and Production Science Packs now require computation work to create. (Without SE only)
Satellite Types and their uses:
Base Satellite: Cannot be launched - Used only to create other satellites.
Short Range Science Satellite: Used to produce Space Science Packs. (Rocket Science Packs in SE) Can also discover new zones with SE installed
Long Range Science Satellite: Used to produce Exploration Science Packs.
Short Range Mining Satellite: Provides Iron, Copper and Coal Ore.
Medium Range Mining Satellite: Provides Iron, Copper and Coal Ore, Water Ice (with SE) and Barreled Oil.
Long Range Mining Satellite: Provides Iron, Copper, Coal, Uranium, Vulcanite (With SE) and Cryonite Ore (With SE), Water Ice (With SE) and Barreled Oil.
Mobile Base Satellite: Provides various early game resources.
Surveillance Satellite: Can discover new zones with SE installed and allow usage of the star map, the universe explorer and the navigational uplink.
Orbital Strike Satellite: Destroys Enemy Bases (such as Biter Bases) from Orbit using explosive missiles.
Nuclear Orbital Strike Satellite: Destroys Enemy Bases (such as Biter Bases) from Orbit using Nukes.
Other mods can also add their own satellites.
That should be it, if you have any suggestions please post a reply.
