Pod Launch
To first step involved in launching a pod is loading it with cargo. You can
select any of the 8 different types of pods available each type of pod is
designed to carry very select types of cargo. The currently selected construction
pod is able to carry metals and megacredits. They are designed to carry metals
to planets that need metals to build ship hulls and weapons. The right list is
the amount that is currently stored in the base. The left list shows the items
that are in the pod. Currently there is 100 units of tritanium metal in the pod
and 1101 units of tritanium metal on the base. Any mix of metals can be placed
on the pod. The upper right corner has a mass display. The maximum launch mass
of a pod of this type is 1000 kt. If you have more than 1000 kt of cargo to
move you can always launch a second pod. You can launch an unlimited number of
pods as long as you have the megacredits to do so. Each pod costs 25 megacredits
to build and launch. Pods have a limited power supply that varies from pod type
to pod type. When a pod runs out of power it disappears. The Construction Pod,
for example, has a power supply that will last 40 turns.
The flight plan allows you to launch the pod at a target planet, base, or
other object. To select a target you need to use the main star map and space
command panel to select the target object by making the target object the anvil
object. Once the target object is the anvil object you can command the pod to
boost to it. The pod will travel to the target at a speed of at least 20 ly a
turn. Some races have pods with a higher travel speed.
The drop target is where the pod wants to be dropped off at. If the pod is
docked in the cargo bay of a ship it will automatically undock from the ship as
the ship passes the drop target. If the target object is a base or planet the
pod will either join the base or stay in orbit around the planet depending on
if the pod ' s orbital thrusters are on or not.
The dock target is the object wishes to dock to. The target must be a ship
with the cargo room to hold it or another object that allows objects to dock
with it. If the pod is ordered to dock with a base it will unload all of its
contents to the base.
You can have 3 different objects selected as the drop, dock and boost
target.
Once the Launch Pod button has been pushed you can cancel the launch order from the pending orders
window.