Space capsule navigation (Patreon)
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Work on the next big Space Exploration update continues. One of the main features of the update (apart from space elevators) is the space capsule navigation system.
Space capsules will be more useful as a personal transport system. You'll be able to move your character around more easily, but won't be able to take many items with you (only a small fraction of your inventory). It's quite normal for players to need to go up and down from orbit in the early game, and needing a whole cargo rocket is very expensive if you don't want to wait for a full one.
The capsule can launch independently from most locations and may cost some resources, like rocket sections and solid rocket fuel. You'll also be able to use the capsule as an escape pod in more situations too, and without needing any additional resources, but that puts the capsule at risk.
The main mechanics of the system are done, but there's still some more decision making and testing to do. Letting players get to space without a cargo rocket can potentially have a big impact on the first steps to space. This will be one of the main areas of focus when the feature goes in to closed testing soon.