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Astra HDH Module [RE2]

CV, Core1, Unlock Level 12, Complexity 2

Zero-fuel Astra 24x hydroponics module. Easy to harvest. Hard to park.


After seeing the very clever interleaved stacking system used by Spacebarbarian in their Astra Hydro 18x hydroponics farm module, I was inspired to see if this could be combined with the wall-mounted hydroponics solution in my RE1 Helios Hydroponics Module to maximize the number of bays that could squeeze into the Astra form factor. The result is a 24-bay arrangement that makes it a breeze to harvest by just walking a single loop through the module while mashing the F key on the overhead bays. There are also enough plasma turbines installed to maintain zero fuel consumption while growing a full module of pentaxid bays and running a small constructor to process the crystals, or growing a full set of regular crops while running two food processors.

If you are familiar with my previous Helios Hydroponics module then I'd say you know what you're in for when it comes to docking it, but honestly this one is worse. The trick to getting the grow plots to grow "sideways" is to actually build the entire module itself sideways. Thus, when you sit in the cockpit of this ship, you will actually be facing out of the top of the ship. It will be awkward to dock, but once it's in place it will operate perfectly normally like any other module.

To dock it, do the following:

1. Spawn the module in space. It will be very hard to enter the module if you spawn it on a planet.
   
2. Enter the module and sit in the pilot seat
   
3. Switch to third-person view
   
4. Fly underneath the carrier and face the underside of the carrier's module bay ceiling
   
5. Align the top of the module with the module bay door wall on the carrier
   
6. Fly forwards ('W') and bump into the underside of the carrier to align yourself (note: holding the 'O' key won't work here)
   
7. Fly upwards ('Spacebar') to push the top of the module into the module bay wall, and let it dock

You may have to jostle between forwards and upwards motions to get a good aligned fit. Keep in mind that if you need to undock the module you have to fly it downwards ('C'). Once you are happy with the docked position, turn off the thrusters and enjoy your new farm.

There is a gravity toggle in the control panel that will enable gravity on the module itself if you are running a carrier without gravity coverage. These gravity generators are on a sensor that will only turn on when you enter the module, and make it a bit easier to harvest the bays. This will not affect the zero-fuel usage.

This module supports the Astra and Stellar Dynamics paint jobs provided on the LCD panels of the Astra Mk V.

For other Astra-compatible modules and carriers please see FilbertFarmer's RE2 Astra Modular System Collection. This module uses design elements from FilbertFarmer's standard Astra Mk V carrier and stock modules to blend in with the set.

Construction

• Carbon and container extensions

Offense / Defense

• None

Storage

• 2x 640k Cargo Controllers
  
• 1x 5k Cargo Box
  
• 3x Fridges

Equipment

• 2x Food Processors
  
• 1x Small Constructor
  
• Matter Transceiver (WiFi)
  
• Gravity Generators

Astra HDH Module [RE2] by Garaman
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