Planetary Research
Planetary Research is a type of Research that is unlocked after destroying six planets.
By sending a scientist to the current planet, the player can gather soil samples that will give random bonuses until the current planet is destroyed. On certain planets, gathering soil samples also has a chance to yield rare minerals that give permanent bonuses.
Soil samples can be gathered up to 5 times per planet and their effects stack.
After entering a Black Hole, the bonus from Planetary Research for the current planet is lost and the limit on gathering soil samples is reset.
In the Planetary Research Lab, only one action can be active at a time — either gathering soil samples or travelling to/from planets.
Sending Scientists
Scientists take 1 hour to travel to their destination. Planetary research is unavailable while scientists are travelling.
Travelling speed is not influenced by the reduced research time stat, but it can be halved by researching the Scout technology in the Dark Matter Institute.
By paying some diamonds, it is possible to instantly send scientists to their destination. The price depends on the remaining travel time and the initial price is 10 diamonds.
When going to the current planet, scientists travel one at a time. When returning from a planet, scientists travel together.
All scientists instantaneously return to the player automatically:
- upon destroying the current planet
- upon entering a Black Hole
In all other instances the scientists will remain on the current planet until the player orders them to return.