colonization Tech Comparison
Orbital Platforms vs Megastructure Foundations
Comparing the Orbital Platforms (Tier 4) and Megastructure Foundations (Tier 4), both colonization technologies in Starforge MMO. Use this to decide which to queue first when your research lab can only run one project at a time.
Research Comparison
| Attribute | Orbital Platforms | Megastructure Foundations |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | T4 | T4 |
| Research time | 55▼ | 72 |
| metal cost | 100,000▼ | 200,000 |
| crystal cost | 50,000▼ | 100,000 |
| antimatter cost | 500▼ | — |
| dark matter cost | — | 3,000▼ |
| Effect | unlocks orbital platforms: true; +35% orbital defense strength | +50% max population cap |
▼ marks the lower resource / time cost. Cheaper isn't always better — weigh it against the effect each tech unlocks.
Orbital Platforms
Deploy permanent orbital platforms that provide mining, defense, and logistics support above any colonized world.
Unlocks buildings: orbital platform
Requires: colonization 8, colonization 9
Megastructure Foundations
Engineering principles enabling ring-worlds and ecumenopoleis. Adds +50% max pop cap.
Unlocks buildings: megastructure core
Requires: colonization 3, colonization 5
Which Should You Research First?
Both sit at the same tier. The Orbital Platforms is the cheaper project, so it's the safer early pick if your economy is tight; otherwise prioritise whichever effect supports your current strategy.