Wiki: Systems, Resources & Events Guide

Astroneer’s wiki pages cover everything from terrain and resources to vehicles, modules, discoveries, and one-time events. This guide brings those reference-style entries together so you can quickly understand the major systems and names you will run into while playing.

Research and the catalog

The Research Catalog is opened from the backpack and lets you spend accumulated Bytes to unlock Schematics. It is divided into four size-based categories that correspond to the sizes of items produced by the different printers.

You can navigate the catalog with the movement keys, use left and right contextual controls to switch categories, or click the buttons and schematics directly. The catalog’s base also shows which controls are used for navigation.

Resource processing and chemistry

Chemistry Lab

The Chemistry Lab synthesizes resources and is visually similar to the earlier Hydrazine Catalyzer, which existed solely to refine Ammonium into Hydrazine.

A full synthesis cycle takes 10.0s, while the complete cycle including tray movement takes 13.5s. Once synthesis is finished, the completed resource can be pulled directly from the chamber at the base.

Atmospheric Condenser

The Atmospheric Condenser is a resource-processing module with an early version that was previously called the Fuel Condenser. It also has a distinct behavior when used in space, including a post-Rails Update version of that interaction.

Exploration, travel, and logistics

Beacon

Beacons are used to mark locations and help identify places from a distance. They remain visible far away, making them useful for navigation and for keeping track of important sites.

Buggy

The Buggy is a rover vehicle intended for fast movement across terrain. Like other vehicles, it is part of the game’s vehicle system and can be identified by its dedicated icon.

Auto Extractor

The Auto Extractor is an automation-focused tool used to harvest resources. It is part of the game’s newer automation set and is especially useful when paired with storage and automated handling.

Backpack Printer Plinth

The Backpack Printer Plinth is associated with the backpack printer setup. It is represented by its own icon and appears as part of the printing interface ecosystem.

Materials and resources

Aluminum

Aluminum is a basic resource used in crafting and progression. It is one of the standard named resources tracked in the game’s resource system.

Aluminum Alloy

Aluminum Alloy is a crafted resource used in more advanced recipes. As with other alloys, it represents processed material rather than a raw resource.

Argon

Argon is one of the atmospheric resources handled in the game’s material systems. It is identified as a distinct resource with its own icon.

Ceramic

Ceramic is a crafted building material and a common part of construction progression. It is also associated with the zebra-ball family in trivia and gallery references.

Planets

Atrox

Atrox is one of the planets in Astroneer. It is listed among the game’s planetary destinations and has its own planet information card.

Calidor

Calidor is another planet in the solar system. It is likewise represented by a planet information card and is part of the standard set of destinations.

Discoveries and curiosities

Marbles

Marbles include several collectible variants such as the Zebra Ball, Checker Ball, and Leopard Ball. These items are treated as discoveries and appear in gallery references.

Historical Probes

Historical Probes include items such as the Hubble Space Telescope, Kepler Space Telescope, Mariner X Probe, New Horizons Probe, Sputnik Satellite, Voyager 2 Probe, and Pioneer I Spacecraft. These are grouped as notable discovery items.

Apollo Lunar Module

The Apollo Lunar Module appears as a discovery item and is represented in the game’s reference material as a collectible or notable object.

Customization

Customization covers the game’s player appearance systems, including the original four suits and later concept characters used in 1.0-era material.

Limited Time Event

Astroneer has had several Limited Time Event campaigns, including:

EXO Automated Mass Production Protocol, from June 24, 2020 to August 4, 2020, focused on using the new automation items, especially Resource Canisters, the Auto Extractor, and the Automaton Arm
EXO Care Initiative, from April 14, 2020 to June 14, 2020, focused on cleaning up planets by collecting scrap and sending it in for rewards and care packages
Project CHEER Delivery Mission, from December 16, 2019 to January 21, 2020, focused on collecting and delivering gifts found across planets, with points contributing to real-life charity goals

Some collectible objects in Astroneer were originally used to test physics and lighting systems before being left in the game. The Mini Zebra Balls are smaller, size-1 versions of the Zebra Ball and have only been seen in official SES blog material so far.