Hi, another questions. I saw the video about the industrial module on ships, and that is really, really awesome! I love that idea But that brings up a question, and a concern as well.

The question is, would we be able to build up a nomad fleet that is completely self-sufficient? I mean, have industrial ships that can mine and process materials, and manufacture stuff that is needed for the fleet (ships, ammo, fuel, etc). I would love to make such a fleet, specially if we have an infinite universe Reminds me of the old Homeworld games. Awesomesauce.

But... That also brings up a concern. It seems we'll also be able to build space stations. That sounds fun as well, but if we can have everything on mobile ships, why would we need a non-mobile station? Or will the stations bring something that we will not be able to do with a mobile fleet? I could think of capital ship building limited to stations only. That would add one requirement at least, but after I have my capitals, what then?

I guess I would not like to see a feature, like space stations, added to the game, and then ignored because another feature that was added is simply better in every way.

Afaik the good old bang for buck does make stations desirable. If you can mount a size 5 produktion module and a size 10 on a station for the same money (for the station/ship)which one would you choose?

And nomad fleets will be possible at the current state of things

Size / mass is no consideration on space stations so you can use big and cheap plants while a ship with such a plant would be crawling.
Stations can also have huge cargo bays so production can run much more smoothly than on a cramped spaceship.

So it's more likely that (most) ship-based productions units will be smaller scale and either be unable to build truly big things or very slowly.

If you absolutely must have a mobile shipyard, I suppose it's possible... but it won't be a fun ship to fly. =)

Thanks for the answers, I love to have lots of options Sounds good that they should have really steep trade-offs so stations will still be desirable.

Sir! The Explorer V has arrived at the New Earth system.

Let's engage the Jump drive on this station.

Ummm... I hope that there is enough fuel in that new system and no hostiles.
It's going to take a week to recharge and tons of fuel to extract.