Asteroid Mining
Mining is the primary way to earn credits in ASTRA. Dock with asteroids to extract valuable resources and sell them at stations.
How to Mine
- Locate an asteroid - Look for rocky objects floating in space
- Approach carefully - Fly within mining range of the asteroid
- Press E to dock - Your ship will attach to the asteroid and begin mining
- Watch the extraction - A mining laser connects your ship to the asteroid, extracting resources over time
- Collect until depleted - Resources transfer to your cargo as the asteroid's health depletes
- Asteroid explodes - When fully mined, the asteroid explodes and your ship is pushed away safely
- Press E to stop early - You can undock at any time before the asteroid is depleted
Asteroid Sizes
Larger asteroids contain more resources but take longer to mine.
| Size | Resource Yield | Max Miners |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 3-6 units | 1 |
| Medium | 8-15 units | 2 |
| Large | 18-30 units | 3 |
| Huge | 35-60 units | 4 |
Larger asteroids support multiple miners simultaneously. Team up with other pilots to extract resources faster!
Resource Types
Different resources have varying rarity and value. Rarer resources are found in tougher asteroids.
| Resource | Rarity | Asteroid Toughness |
|---|---|---|
| Iron | Common | Normal |
| Copper | Common | 1.2x tougher |
| Titanium | Uncommon | 1.5x tougher |
| Platinum | Rare | 2x tougher |
Each resource type has a distinct color visible in the mining particles:
- Iron - Gray
- Copper - Bronze/Orange
- Titanium - Blue-gray
- Platinum - Silver/White
Mining Tools
Your mining speed depends on your equipped mining tool. Better tools extract resources faster.
| Tool | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 | Tier 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laser Drill | 10 | 18 | 30 | 45 |
| Plasma Cutter | 15 | 25 | 40 | 60 |
| Sonic Drill | 8 | 14 | 24 | 38 |
All tools yield the same total resources from an asteroid - faster tools simply finish quicker.
Mining Tips
- Watch your cargo - Mining stops if your cargo hold is full
- Asteroid respawn - Depleted asteroids eventually regenerate in the sector
- Stay alert - You're vulnerable while docked to an asteroid
- Check slots - If an asteroid shows "Occupied", all mining slots are taken
While mining, your ship is stationary and vulnerable to attack. Other players can damage the asteroid you're mining, potentially destroying it while you're attached!
Selling Resources
Dock at any station and access the Trade terminal to sell your mined resources. Prices may vary between stations - shop around for the best deals!