If you want to unlock the full list of items that you can build at your outpost, then you will need to complete all projects in the eight sections of the outpost research. This is a long task as you have to unlock certain skills and collect materials for each part. The guide below goes over how to do outpost research projects, what they cost, what skills you need, and what items you will unlock from completing them.

How to Access Research Projects in Starfield¶

Research Projects can be accessed by using a Research Lab. These can be built at your outpost, or you can save some resources and use the one in the basement at The Lodge in New Atlantis. There are five different types of main research projects you can work on, Pharmacology, Food and Drink, Outpost Development, Equipment, and Weaponry. Each section has its only self-contained mini-sections, many of which would have multiple parts that you will need to complete to unlock all the items in said section.

Starfield Outpost Development Research Projects¶

There are a total of eight sections in the Outpost Development section of the Research Lab. These branch off into a total of twenty mini-sections. You can’t just pour through research projects, each one requires you to gather the listed materials, and many of the level two projects ask you to have skill points put into skills like Outpost Engineering which can be found in the science tree. to complete them. Unlocking all these skills will take several days of playing the game, half from grinding and the other half from gathering the resources that each project needs.

Keep in mind that you can donate materials as you go. You can use any Research Lab you find to do this, so you aren’t limited to carrying all the items back to your outpost each time you gather them.

Outpost Manufacturing Research Projects¶

Outpost Manufacturing unlocks Fabricators. Fabricators allow you to automate crafting processes by auto-producing items such as Adaptive Frames. Along with this, you will be able to expand the storage types you can choose, as well as, unlock the ability to set up Inter-System Cargo Links that will allow you to easily move items between your separate outposts.

With each fabricator you unlock, there are more items you can make. In addition, by researching these projects you can greatly improve the amount of storage you have at your outpost. Check out our guide on the simple fabricator for more information.

Outpost Resource Extraction Research Projects¶

By researching extraction you can unlock two more levels of extractors. With each level, the amount of inorganic resources you can extract per two minutes will increase by one. The commercial level will get you two resources per two minutes while the industrial extractor will harvest three resources per two minutes.

For more information on how to set up an extractor, check out our extractor guide here. Please keep in mind there are extractors for all three types of matter, gases, liquids, and solids.

Outpost Domestication Research Projects¶

Domestication is a really useful project to invest in as it unlocks the ability to have aliens kept at your outpost. Not only can you have your very own petting zoo, but you can also use this as a way to harvest organic resources related to the aliens that you are currently housing. You will need to fully scan aliens to get this system up and running. Please be aware that you will need to rank up Zoology, which can be found in the science tree, as well as Outpost Engineering.

If you need a full guide on animal husbandry then have a read and come back when you are ready.

Outpost Horticulture Research Projects¶

Horticulture research is similar to Domestication research, the main difference is that you will be dealing with plants instead of animals. Like with an animal husbandry setting, a greenhouse will allow you to harvest organic resources that are found in the plants that you have fully scanned. You will also need to have the Botany skill unlocked from the science tree, as well as, Outpost Engineering.

For an in-depth guide on setting up your greenhouse, head to our Greenhouse guide.

Outpost Decoration Research Projects¶

Decorations are one of the easiest-to-understand projects on this list. This category simply expands the items that you can spruce up your base with. This will still require you to have the Outpost Engineering by project two.

Outpost Power Research Projects¶

The power projects allow you to add both a new way to produce power and upgrade versions of the wind and solar-type power generators. These advanced units can produce more power at once, helping you power more machines while taking up less room. You will need the Special Projects skill from the science tree.

Outpost Defense Research Projects¶

Outpost defenses help keep you safe by removing any invaders from your base. Outpost defense research helps to unlock more power defenses like levels two and three of the powerful turret. With each level, the damage the turret deals will be increased. This also gives you the option of making security bots that can move around the base and defend it.

Outpost Robotics Research Project¶

Robotics will be locked away completely until you start learning to build them by doing research. The first tier is easier but comes with the less powerful robots that are more suited to smaller tasks within your outpost. The second level of research unlocks the larger robots that will help with tasks like allocating power properly and watching after the logistics of your outpost.

For complete information on each of the robot models and what they do, don’t forget to have a look at our robot guide.