update · December 31, 2023
Space Station Designer Update 0.5.15 Overhauls Campaign and Maintenance
Space Station Designer 0.5.15 redesigns the campaign mode, introduces maintenance mechanics, and adds strict design constraints.
Space Station Designer version 0.5.15 redesigns the campaign structure, adds mandatory objectives, and implements new maintenance requirements.
Campaign and Mode Restructuring
The open-ended campaign mode is redesigned with a series of mandatory objectives introducing Earth facilities, crew management, and research. Starting a new campaign presents a target icon in the top-left corner to track objectives while receiving annual government funding. The previous campaign mode is renamed to sandbox, though it is temporarily disabled for this version. The former sandbox mode is renamed to free builder mode, allowing financial-free building.
Maintenance Technologies and Modules
Three new maintenance research technologies arrive in the tech tree: Maintenance Level I, II, and III. Each includes an airlock and a maintenance workshop module. Airlocks feature a maintenance area of influence, requiring damaged modules to reside within this zone to be repaired, otherwise requiring total replacement. Maintenance workshops add a repair boost attribute when close to airlocks.
Design Constraints and Proximity Bonuses
Production lines now enforce maximum distance limits between modules. Research modules receive proximity bonuses when placed near crew quarters. Electricity and cooling modules now enforce maximum distance rules, with the game flagging violations without applying penalties yet. Orbital outpost screens gain new looking glass filters to spot modules outside maintenance areas or electricity ranges.
Earth Facilities and Balance
Earth Facilities research returns to Phase I. Certain buildings are available by default, while others require advanced technologies. Extensive balancing is applied to the master spreadsheet across Phase I.
Why this patch matters
Update 0.5.15 guides new players with structured campaign goals while laying down deeper logistical and maintenance constraints for station builders.