Base Metals

Base Metals are a resource collected from Space Mining. They represent common metals, especially iron/steel and aluminum.

Base metals are primarily used for the construction costs of habs and spaceships. Any radiation penalties to hab costs that come from building in irradiated areas (such as Mercury, Io, or medium Earth orbit) will be paid in base metals. Smaller amounts are used to build and maintain a wide range of modules for habs and components for spaceships.

Base metals are a moderately common resource, and are the one resource that can easily be guaranteed on Luna.

If the player does not have enough base metals in space, they can be purchased from Earth for 10 Money per unit and raised into space for Boost. Metals can also be sold to earth for a base price of 0.5 per unit, which can be raised with projects and certain priorities from Earth's nations, and lowered by selling large quantities to Earth. See Resources#Buying_and_Selling_Space_Resources for details.