Research guide — smart tech order
Labs convert crew hours into safety nets and paycheck multipliers — wasting cycles on vanity toys early snowballs into power crises later.
How research tiers work
Green (low skill), yellow (mid), and red (elite) gates mimic onboarding ramps — inside each band technologies unlock left-to-right within categories but cross-category picks remain flexible.
Research Labs accumulate passive progress from assigned scientists while Workshops chew salvaged loot into bonus points (with accident dice — assign your sharpest minds).
Faster cycles
- Duplicate labs once power stabilizes.
- Draft Fast Learners onto science shifts.
- Keep labs quiet, oxygenated, away from engine rumble.
- Rotate workshop scraps between raids.
Starter priorities (community-tested)
Foundation tier
| # | Tech | Why grab it |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medical Bed upgrades | Keeps injuries reversible. |
| 2 | X1 generator | Lifts watt ceilings for industry spikes. |
| 3 | Advanced solar | Cuts Hyperfuel hunger dramatically. |
| 4 | Large grow beds | Food + passive oxygen scaling. |
| 5 | SMG | Early boarding confidence spike. |
Expansion tier
| # | Tech | Why grab it |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Advanced Energy Refinery | Rod throughput = income. |
| 7 | Item Fabricator | Weapon/armor printing economy. |
| 8 | Recreation upgrades | Jukeboxes & sofas stabilize moods. |
| 9 | Shield generator | Fleet fights stop feeling suicidal. |
| 10 | Advanced Research Lab | Compound interest on every future tech. |
Mastery tier snapshots
- Surgical suite: cyberware plus ethically dubious trading loops.
- Advanced Hyperdrive: bigger hull budgets.
- Combat robots: automated Station defenders.
- Top-tier rifles / hydro: elite DPS & fabric mills.
Workshop etiquette
Prioritize rare salvage components — alien fragments or military boards beat tenth copied SMG for inspiration points. Always bank medical supplies before risky dismantles detonate.
Synergies worth planning
- Refinery rods feeding fabricators.
- Shield uptime enabling aggressive turret doctrine.
- Solar savings indirectly funding Hyperfuel reserves.
Related guides
Ship Building
Power hookups for new labs.
Trading & Economy
Monetize fabrication unlocks.
Crew Management
Staff scientists comfortably.
Combat Guide
Weapon tech benchmarks.
Frequently asked questions
What should I research first in Space Haven?
Priority order: (1) Medical Bed — prevents early deaths from injuries, (2) X1 Power Generator — removes energy bottlenecks, (3) Energy Refinery — unlocks your main income stream, (4) Item Fabricator — lets you manufacture high-value trade goods, (5) Advanced Grow Beds — reduces food stress long-term.
How do I speed up research?
Build 2 Research Labs and assign 2 crew members with Research skill L5+. The Fast Learner trait also passively increases research progress. Research bench (Workshop) allows reverse engineering of found items for research points but has an accident risk.
What are the research tiers?
Research is divided into three tiers by required skill level: Green (Low skill, L1-3), Yellow (Medium skill, L4-6), Red (High skill, L7-10). Within each tier, research unlocks follow a left-to-right dependency within their category.
Is the solar panel research worth it?
Absolutely. Researching advanced solar panels significantly reduces Hyperfuel consumption because you rely less on fuel-burning generators during normal operations. This is one of the best early-mid game investments for long-term fuel savings.
What does the Workshop (Research Bench) do?
The Workshop lets you reverse-engineer items found on derelict ships or bought from traders to gain additional research points. It has a risk of accidents, so assign your highest Construct and Research skill crew member to it.