¶ Colony Construction Guide
Learn how to construct, expand, and shape your colony in Elite Dangerous.
¶ Constructing and Expanding Your Colony
Colony construction is a key aspect of system colonization in Elite Dangerous. Players take on the role of a System Architect, deciding where and how to expand their colony.
¶ Becoming a System Architect
The player who completes the primary starport earns the title of System Architect. This role grants direct control over placing key assets, including:
- Starports and Planetary Ports
- Settlements and Surface Facilities
- Trade Hubs and Other Infrastructure
The System Architect has access to a variety of construction tools, with a limited number of actions to establish new construction sites and facilities within the system.
¶ Developing Space Facilities
Using the system map, players can view all potential locations for space facilities and choose where to place them. Once a location is selected, materials must be delivered to complete the facility’s construction.
¶ Facility Tiers & Requirements
Facilities are divided into multiple tiers, with large spaceports like Ocellus requiring extensive resources. To unlock high-tier facilities, a supporting network of smaller and mid-tier structures must first be built.
¶ Building Surface Facilities
Unlike space facilities, surface structures can be placed freely on planetary terrain. Pilots can fly over the surface, choose a location, and use a holographic placement tool to rotate and position the facility.
¶ Construction Process
- Choose a build site – Available slots are pre-determined by the system.
- Deploy a ground-based construction site – A temporary work zone is set up.
- Deliver necessary goods – Materials must be supplied before completion.
- Facility is established – The new structure appears on the planet.
¶ Shaping the System Economy
Every facility influences the system’s economy, shaping its resources, trade, and industry. The type of facilities you place determines the dominant economy, such as:
- Mining Colonies – Producing raw materials for trade and industrial growth.
- Agricultural Outposts – Supporting food production and bio-research.
- High-Tech Settlements – Developing advanced equipment and rare commodities.
¶ Expanding the Bubble
Colonization isn’t just about individual systems—it has galaxy-wide consequences. Expanding The Bubble can:
- Create new trade routes for merchants and traders.
- Establish explorer hubs as launch points for deep-space expeditions.
- Reduce travel times by developing mini-Bubbles with interlinked economies.
Return to the Colonization Guide Hub.