Signals
To download a signal, you need a device equipped with an antenna and a ship computer capable of recording and decoding the signal. See ship modules with antennas. Most basic command modules include this equipment, but it is recommended to upgrade it to achieve higher-quality signal downloads.
Signals are often located far away; it is important to download them as close to the source as possible to minimize download time. The ship should be light, agile, with a large energy reserve and low EU consumption during warp flight. Finding the optimal balance is a skill — many signal hunters have their own proven configurations. Don’t hesitate to experiment.
Signal downloading devices require skilled operators. For your research stations, select astronauts with a high scientific modifier TES.
In the sector map, open the ANOMALIES filter and use the sliders to locate one of the three signal types. Adjusting the sliders helps you better display regions containing the desired signals. The farther you are from a star, the rarer and harder-to-decode signals you may find — but the risk of attack also increases.
Click to select a signal anomaly; you can scan it to see what it contains or head to the location by clicking “APPROACH”.
Once you have the best possible position — strong antennas, skilled crew, and proximity to the anomaly — you can begin downloading. Select your ship and, in the bottom abilities panel, choose the “ANTENNA” ability.
In the list of available signals, choose the one that seems most reasonable and start downloading. During this process, the ship cannot move or defend itself, making it highly vulnerable. Ensure there is no danger nearby before starting. Evil entities are drawn to idle, stationary ships; staying too long in one place increases the risk of being discovered.
Signals can be identified by their numeric designation. Each signal has a permanent universal ID displayed in [square brackets] after its name.
A ship downloading signals is difficult to protect, as any nearby station or vessel causes interference with the already weak transmissions.
After downloading — a process that can take from several hours to several days — the signal must be decoded and stored on a physical medium. This transfers it from the ship’s volatile memory to a portable disk, creating a blueprint. Each storage operation fragments the data and reduces readability, so save the most valuable information first.
Signals stored on disks appear in your cargo as blueprints. Each blueprint can be used for production in a station factory or sold on the market.
Blueprints have “cycles” that determine how many items can be produced per run. For example, 6/10 cycles means the blueprint can produce six units of the item, with a maximum of ten. Some methods allow you to exceed this limit (e.g., 100/10 cycles), typically using cards. When such blueprints are bundled, their quantities combine and can be split back into multiple 10/10-cycle blueprints.
Blueprints occupy a negligible amount of storage space.
Signals are a phenomenon no corporation ignores. Debates about their origin have continued since their first discovery. The more we know about them, the more questions arise.
Signals contain information about human technologies long forgotten on Earth: blueprints, circuit schematics, and usage manuals.
History
Much of the old civilization’s knowledge remained on Earth. The survivors have access only to limited technologies they carried with them. Discovering any data within signals is therefore extremely valuable, enabling the production of advanced technologies.
Signal hunting quickly became not only a profession but also a thrilling chase for the unknown — often compared to the 19th-century gold rush. Space adventurers, driven by the desire for wealth, embark on dangerous missions to find rare signals. These missions attract new hunters willing to risk everything to succeed.
The harsh environment of space and humanity’s exodus during the digital age prevented the development of reliable long-term data storage. Magnetic disks degrade under cosmic radiation and lose integrity with each use.
Each signal thus represents a potential discovery of blueprints for unique technologies. The complexity of the process makes it both a scientific challenge and a dangerous expedition requiring courage, top-tier equipment, and a great deal of luck.
Distribution and Usage
Blueprints are distributed on station markets, where manufacturers purchase and use them to produce technologies vital for humanity’s survival and progress.
Humans did not bring technologies suitable for efficient data processing; magnetic tape media quickly degrade in space. Repeated reading or copying damages the data, leading to loss of usability.
Some blueprints are extremely valuable, and corporations are willing to pay enormous sums for them.
The purpose of signal hunting is to capture and extract the blueprints they contain.
Blueprints do not occupy ship storage space.
Signal Acquisition Process
1. Detection
Signals are detected by analyzing anomalies in space using the sector map.
2. Pursuit
After detection, you must get as close to the signal as possible to shorten the download time. Signals are not permanent, so hunters use fast, lightweight ships to arrive before the signal fades.
3. Downloading
The signal is downloaded by writing it onto a positron matrix. This process takes place in a heavily shielded environment, isolated from surrounding interference.
4. Decoding
Once downloading is complete, parts of the signal can be decoded to distinguish individual blueprints for storage on portable disks. Each storage operation causes data degradation, reducing the quality and the number of production cycles for that technology.
Signal Rarity Classification
Minor / Common
Basic signal types usually contain blueprints for components such as hydraulics, electronics, or standard equipment.
Uncommon / Particular
The most frequently encountered type of signal in space. Typically contains more advanced technical equipment, improved modules, or weapon blueprints.
Rare / Singular
These signals appear far from stars and contain blueprints for the most advanced technologies known to humanity. Downloading may take several days or weeks.
Legendary
Extremely rare signals found deep in space. Their data volume is enormous, and downloading takes a very long time. Signal hunter ships are under great danger — these signals are often associated with the presence of Leviathans.
Risks
To download signals, a ship must remain stationary for extended periods, making it vulnerable. The process can take hours or days, and the ship cannot maneuver during this time.
It is nearly impossible to defend a downloading ship effectively, as combat equipment creates significant interference. Weapons on board or military escorts drastically reduce the chance of successful reception.
