Knowledge

The Knowledge system in Edge of Space allows the player to increase their characters knowledge in various fields of technology. A player earns experience by mining, fighting, completing objectives, and more. Players may then spend Science Experience Points, or Science XP, by accessing the knowledge screen (Default key K). Each field of technology has it's own ranking system, at various ranks of research the player unlocks the ability to craft additional items associated with that field. The experience required to attain a higher rank in a single field of research increases, the higher the characters rank in that field of research.

Researching
A character gains experience by various tasks performed in the normal course of gameplay. As your science experience accumulates, it is indicated on an experience bar in the HUD on the upper right hand side of the screen. When you have acquired some experience points, you can spend those via the knowledge screen by pressing default key K. You will see tabs for various fields of technology, and each can be advanced through 15 ranks of knowledge.

Data discs
Data Discs are a means of assisting a player through crafting knowledge consumables. These items can be passed to any other player, who can then rank up their knowledge in the relevant area. Previously, data discs were required for progression, but with the knowledge system in place, they were left as an extra perk for those playing on multiplayer servers. These items are crafted and then consumed, and grant varying amounts of science experience in their field. To use a data disc:


 * Craft a disc in the desired field of knowledge.
 * Place the item on your toolbar, by selecting the slot and right clicking on the disc in your inventory
 * Close your inventory, and then left click with the consumable item highlighted.

Stronger versions of data can be crafted at higher ranks in a field of research. These give more experience per materials used. All ranks require 5 Raw materials per Data. The rate of experience to Data experience is 25 to 1 respectively.
 * Rank 1 provides 15 Data experience for 375 experience
 * Rank 2 provides 25 Data experience for 625 experience
 * Rank 3 provides 30 Data experience for 720 experience (24:1 rate)