Factorio Forums

TL;DR

Allow space plattforms to be used hubs/buffers (for ship -> station -> ship transfers)

What?

I would like to use my space plattforms as hubs/buffer for my spaceships.
e.g. Transfer items from Vulcanus -> Nauvis, then Nauvis -> Fulgora, then Fulgora -> Aquilo.
Each via direct transfer instead of one long transfer.


Currently, I can achieve it manually, by toggling the hub stations request group off, wait for all items to be transfered and then re-enabling it.

I tried using the "set requests" flag, but that requests from the surface/everywhere, but I only want to request it from other plattforms that provide it.
For that I need a toggle for which "source" (surface, station or both) to fetch from.
Alternatively, I would need a condition for the existing groups that are able to set requests:

Why?

Because distributing items between planets gets more complicated the more planets there are.

e.g. I have to either

- create up to planets² routes to bring all items from each planet to each other,
- or build one route with all planets in a loop, which would take forever

I tried using the "set requests" flag, but that requests from the surface/everywhere, but I only want to request it from other plattforms that provide it.

Note that, if the platforms are in the same location as the requesting platform, they should take priority over items on planets. So if those platforms specify how much stuff they have, the requesting buffer platform can tailor its requests accordingly.

So basically:

If the supply ship arrives, it sends 25 "belts" (from inventory) via green signal via a global channel.
The hub sees that and adds 25 belts to the requests (up to max).

You can currently do this with circuitry.

Constant combinator with everything you want to the level you want it (red)
Space platform hub read contents (green)

-> decider combinator
when each green < each red; output each red

-> space platform hub - set requests (red)


It's even somewhat elegant, but a native solution would be appreciated.
+1

bNarFProfCrazy wrote: Thu Sep 17, 2026 4:13 pm So basically:

If the supply ship arrives, it sends 25 "belts" (from inventory) via green signal via a global channel.
The hub sees that and adds 25 belts to the requests (up to max).

Yes, that's the gist of it.