colonization Tech Comparison
Orbital Platforms vs Terraforming Protocols
Comparing the Orbital Platforms (Tier 4) and Terraforming Protocols (Tier 3), 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 | Terraforming Protocols |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | T4 | T3 |
| Research time | 55 | 20▼ |
| metal cost | 100,000 | 45,000▼ |
| crystal cost | 50,000 | 22,000▼ |
| antimatter cost | 500▼ | — |
| gas cost | — | 6,000▼ |
| Effect | unlocks orbital platforms: true; +35% orbital defense strength | colonize hostile worlds: true; +40% terraforming speed |
▼ 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
Terraforming Protocols
Advanced atmospheric processors enable colonization of hostile desert, arctic, and volcanic worlds.
Unlocks buildings: terraforming station
Requires: colonization 7
Which Should You Research First?
The Terraforming Protocols is the lower-tier prerequisite step and typically comes first in the colonization branch, opening the path toward Orbital Platforms.