In lieu of space updates, a petition to the creators for new rocket dynamics
Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2026 4:55 pm
Hello,
When space age came out, I quickly desired the ability to create reusable rockets. There were a few mods out there which effectively reduced rocket cost and required the user to pretend. I took it upon myself to create a mod that creates a full production loop for building, flying, recovering and refueling rockets.
https://mods.factorio.com/mod/recycled- ... cargo-pods
It works okay. There are performance issues with large multi-planet factories.
Given your updates around rockets with 2.1, I'm writing to ask that parts or all of this concept make it into the core game.
Instead of cargo pods magically appearing from space stations and dropping to the planet, they must be built and exist in the inventory. Rocket boosters also return to be captured after their flight. The player then takes those boosters, add cargo pods + fuel and a new rocket is built. The effect of a well built factorio are rocket lifters that just require fuel (and maybe some repair packs).
There are some short comings. Since cargo pods are discrete, controls around how material is dropped would be nice to have. A stationary space science station has a nasty habit of dropping 4-5 science at a time, eating up cargo pods.
This system would work along side the existing rocket system as an upgrade path.
Probably wont go anywhere, but I was reading the 2.1 update news and the timing seemed appropriate.
Thanks for you consideration, cheers
When space age came out, I quickly desired the ability to create reusable rockets. There were a few mods out there which effectively reduced rocket cost and required the user to pretend. I took it upon myself to create a mod that creates a full production loop for building, flying, recovering and refueling rockets.
https://mods.factorio.com/mod/recycled- ... cargo-pods
It works okay. There are performance issues with large multi-planet factories.
Given your updates around rockets with 2.1, I'm writing to ask that parts or all of this concept make it into the core game.
Instead of cargo pods magically appearing from space stations and dropping to the planet, they must be built and exist in the inventory. Rocket boosters also return to be captured after their flight. The player then takes those boosters, add cargo pods + fuel and a new rocket is built. The effect of a well built factorio are rocket lifters that just require fuel (and maybe some repair packs).
There are some short comings. Since cargo pods are discrete, controls around how material is dropped would be nice to have. A stationary space science station has a nasty habit of dropping 4-5 science at a time, eating up cargo pods.
This system would work along side the existing rocket system as an upgrade path.
Probably wont go anywhere, but I was reading the 2.1 update news and the timing seemed appropriate.
Thanks for you consideration, cheers