[2.1.8] Mixed rockets cause delays
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2026 2:51 pm
If a platform requests two items A and B, where A has a lowered minimum payload set, the mixed rocket loading in 2.1 may launch a rocket with a mix of A and B, satisfying A but not B, which means it may then sit around for a long time to wait for a new full rocket of B. Before 2.1 it would load a full rocket of B and a partial rocket of A, following the lowered minimum payload for that item.
Why is that a problem? In my case, it's because of the spoilage timer on Gleba items. A is bioflux and B is agricultural science pack. I need a continuous supply of both, but less of bioflux. If I request a full rocket of bioflux, one would be delivered approximately every fifth roundtrip, which would make them spoil in the meantime. My solution was to lower the minimum payload for bioflux and accept the price of launching partial rockets with it. With 2.1, my "shuttle" platform will often stay around for too long on Gleba waiting for a second full rocket of science packs, which lowers the roundtrip time and puts both items closer to their spoilage timeouts when they arrive on Nauvis.
If this was possible to solve without resorting to lowered minimum payloads then I could switch to that, but I think the spoilage mechanic fundamentally needs to allow for automatic partial rocket launches, and I don't see any other options than a lowered minimum payload. I guess one workaround (that I haven't tried) is to separate the requests so that the partial rocket loads go to a second platform that shuttles nothing else, but that's not a very satisfying way to deal with it.
I've attached a save that should show this happening. In it the "Shuttle Nau-Gle" platform is en route to Gleba and will receive a mixed rocket that doesn't satisfy the request for science packs. Before 2.1 it would be on its way back again soon after receiving two rocket loads, one full with science packs and another partial with bioflux.
Why is that a problem? In my case, it's because of the spoilage timer on Gleba items. A is bioflux and B is agricultural science pack. I need a continuous supply of both, but less of bioflux. If I request a full rocket of bioflux, one would be delivered approximately every fifth roundtrip, which would make them spoil in the meantime. My solution was to lower the minimum payload for bioflux and accept the price of launching partial rockets with it. With 2.1, my "shuttle" platform will often stay around for too long on Gleba waiting for a second full rocket of science packs, which lowers the roundtrip time and puts both items closer to their spoilage timeouts when they arrive on Nauvis.
If this was possible to solve without resorting to lowered minimum payloads then I could switch to that, but I think the spoilage mechanic fundamentally needs to allow for automatic partial rocket launches, and I don't see any other options than a lowered minimum payload. I guess one workaround (that I haven't tried) is to separate the requests so that the partial rocket loads go to a second platform that shuttles nothing else, but that's not a very satisfying way to deal with it.
I've attached a save that should show this happening. In it the "Shuttle Nau-Gle" platform is en route to Gleba and will receive a mixed rocket that doesn't satisfy the request for science packs. Before 2.1 it would be on its way back again soon after receiving two rocket loads, one full with science packs and another partial with bioflux.