colonization Tech Comparison
Orbital Platforms vs Dyson Sphere Framework
Comparing the Orbital Platforms (Tier 4) and Dyson Sphere Framework (Tier 5), 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 | Dyson Sphere Framework |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | T4 | T5 |
| Research time | 55▼ | 200 |
| metal cost | 100,000▼ | 500,000 |
| crystal cost | 50,000▼ | 250,000 |
| antimatter cost | 500▼ | 5,000 |
| dark matter cost | — | 10,000▼ |
| Effect | unlocks orbital platforms: true; +35% orbital defense strength | unlocks dyson sphere: true; +10 star energy multiplier |
▼ 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
Dyson Sphere Framework
Megaengineering schematics to encase an entire star in an energy-harvesting shell, granting virtually unlimited power.
Unlocks buildings: dyson sphere segment alpha
Requires: colonization 10, science 5
Which Should You Research First?
The Orbital Platforms is the lower-tier prerequisite step and typically comes first in the colonization branch, opening the path toward Dyson Sphere Framework.